It *used* to be an East Coast thing but I find it easily now in the Seattle
area. If you have to order it on-line look for Wye River Spice instead; even
better.

JD

Old Bay Seasoning (copy-cat recipe)

This recipe is from Chesapeake Bay Cooking which specialises in shellfish
and seafood recipes as well as the famous Maryland Stuffed Ham recipes.

This recipe does not really come under any one category so it has been
placed under Starters, Appetizers & Side Dishes beacuse it is most often
used in recipes supplied by Chesapeake Bay Cooking.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon celery seed
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
6 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon whole cardamom
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
4 whole cloves
1 teaspoon sweet hungarian paprika
1/4 teaspoon mace

Method
In a spice grinder or small food processor, combine all of the ingredients.
Grind well and store in a small glass jar.

Try this.. http://www.mccormick.com/ProductLocator.cfm

Myway

I'm in Pittsburgh, but it's available in our local fish stores (and
some grocery stores). You can also order it in bulk from Penzeys
spices. See <http://tinyurl.com/3ezqb>.

My buddy, from Baltimore, got me hooked on the stuff. In Maryland it's
a standard for steaming crab or shrimp. My buddy also uses it on
salads, and I use it on my scrambled eggs. I get mine at Penzeys,
which has a branch near Pittsburgh (sorry--none in Cali).

Last time I visited Connecticut, I noticed that the stores were
carrying "crab chips", potato chips flavored with Old Bay (I cheated
that day). I got my buddy a box of "crab peanut brittle" for Xmas. His
wife claims he loved it.

--Len.

My local supermarkets carry the tins near the seafood counter.  A
short while ago I found the 28oz plastic jar at one of the Sam's Clubs
nearby.

    Joe

http://www.marylanddelivered.com/oldbay.htm

Looks like you can order it online here.  I also live in the San Jose
area, but I brought mine from back east.  I'll keep a lookout for it for
you.

Once you have one tin of it, you may not need to order it again for
ages.  So I wouldn't worry too much about shipping charge.

Rebecca