Boston Mayor Tom Menino decided to make Sunday’s match up between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens a bit more interesting. He called up Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and placed a bet.

This bet, dubbed “Clash of the Crustaceans”  is very similar to the one that the two mayors put into place last year for the AFC Championship as well.

If New England wins Sunday, Baltimore will have to ship several items to Boston including the city’s coveted crab cakes, fruit salad, Berger cookies, and stuffed cabbage.

“I’m ready to eat those crab cakes again and again,” Menino said. “This is an important bet. Last year, I won it, and they were the best crab cakes I ever ate.”

If Baltimore wins, however, Menino said he would send  local seafood from Red’s Best Seafood, spicy fare from CropCircle Kitchen, whoopee pies and Alex’s Ugly Hot Sauce, along with several other samplings from the city.

“I’m only saying these things,” Menino said to Rawlings-Blake, reading the list of foods aloud. “You’ll never get to see them.”

The New England Patriots will take on the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the AFC Championship game.

Want to try some Baltimore-famous crab cakes but don’t live in the area? Try this recipe below. It’s a little time-consuming but I’m sure Mayor Menino would say it’s worth the time.

Baltimore Crab Cakes

Photo Credit: crabcakeguy.com

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice plus wedges for garnish
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/2 jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
• 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over
• 1 1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), divided
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 head Bibb lettuce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

Whisk first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add crab; fold to blend. Stir in 3/4 cup panko, chives, salt, and pepper. Divide into 6 equal portions. Form each into 1″-thick patties. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. Line a platter with lettuce leaves.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place remaining 1/2 cup panko on a plate. Coat cakes with panko. Fry until golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes per side. Arrange atop lettuce; serve with lemon wedges.

Recipe courtesy of epicurious.com

Mayor Menino will include some whoopee pies in his basket to Baltimore if for some reason the Patriots lose this Sunday. Craving some whoopee pies? Try this recipe below for some delicious chocolate whoopee pies.

Whoopee Pies

Photo Credit: Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups milk
• Filling, recipe follows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, or preheat a convection oven to 315 degrees F.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, and eggs together until well combined. Add the oil and vanilla and beat again.

In a separate bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. Add half of the dry mixture to the egg mixture and beat or stir to blend. Add 1 1/2 cups milk and beat again. Add the remaining dry mixture and beat until incorporated. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk and beat until blended.

With a large spoon, scoop out 32 circles of batter onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.

Spread filling onto 16 circles and place remaining circles on top, to make 16 Whoopie Pies.

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 1/3 cups marshmallow topping
• Dash salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup milk

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all ingredients except the milk and beat well. Add just enough milk to achieve a creamy consistency. Spread filling across cooled cookie circles.

Recipe Courtesy of Foodnetwork.com

AFC ChampionshipBaltimore RavensGame Day RecipeNew England PatriotsNFLStephanie Rawlings Blaketom menino