CRAB CAKES AND BANANA FOSTER WITH THOM McMAHON
Crab Cakes and Banana Foster Cooking with Thom
Check it out! Thom teaches me how to crack open a whole crab and turn it into stellar Crab Cakes, then follows up and makes an incredible dessert; Bananas Foster.
Thom overcame throat cancer a number of years ago, lost 40 pounds and can now fit into his 1982 wardrobe. He told his wife he was saving those clothes because one day he was going to wear them again. He grew up on the East Coast then moved to the West. He’s a professional at business but a redneck at heart. Thom is also a competitive bass fisherman and loves to hunt with his black lab, Midnight. He is the father of two kids who both play competitive sports and a lucky husband to an incredible woman.
Q1 - What’s one tool in the kitchen you wish you had and why?
I would love a salamander broiler. There are several dishes I like to cook that finish under the broiler. When broiling in the oven you have to keep opening the door to check on how things are progressing. A minute or two too long and your meal can turn out burnt and ruined. With the big opening of a salamander you can see exactly how your dish is doing and pull it right at that moment of perfection.
Q2 - What’s your biggest meal disaster?
Several years ago I was making a spice rub for barbecued ribs. In order to use and measure paprika easier, I moved it to a glass jar that was very similar to what I kept my cayenne pepper in. The rub called for several tablespoons of paprika and not knowing I grabbed the cayenne by mistake. You can guess what happened…the first bite of a delicious looking smoked and sauced rib quickly turned in to a sprint to the refrigerator to chug some milk. Now I keep the 2 similar looking spices in completely different looking containers.
Q3 - What’s one thing you would like to learn how to make?
Tanya’s gumbo! A friend’s wife makes the best chicken and sausage gumbo I have ever had. She gave me her recipe but I just can’t pull it off the way she makes it. I don’t know what she does different, but it’s awesome. I think she’s keeping a few secrets…
Q4 - If there was one dish you would teach your kid to make, what would it be?
Home-made spaghetti sauce. I don’t think anyone should have to eat the stuff that comes out of a jar. My wife is Italian and taught me the most incredible sauce that she learned from her grandmother.
Q5 - What does it mean to you as a dad to cook for your family?
It means everything. My dad and grandfather were excellent cooks and my role models for so many things in life. I love it when my wife and kids are in the kitchen with me when I’m cooking and we are just hanging out, talking and laughing.
