Market Delights

Truth be told, although I did go to the farmers market this past Saturday, I was tired and not my usual self... which didn't stop me from shopping... just from taking pictures of my score. I was more into easy cooking and just chillin'. Even some of the meals got missed... photographically speaking that is. But I thought I'd share anyway... just to get you excited about eating local... whatever "local" means in your neck of the woods.

The Steamed Mussels, Scallops & Merguez above was made with a sweet sparkling wine - Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge, a local Nova Scotian Annapolis Valley winery. The mussels & scallops were from The Fish Shop and the merguez from Sweet Williams Sausages... all found at the market. The baguette, ready to soak up the delicious broth (I had the leftovers for lunch on on Monday - awesome even after all the seafood was gobbled up) was from Julien's Bakery.

Pain chocolat wolfed down the second we made it home, and the delicious Good Hearth bread made for tasty ham & cheese sandwiches for lunch.
Brioche was saved for our usual Sunday ritual ... coffee in bed, reading, followed up by my Honey making French Toast with fresh thyme (from River View Herbs) and maple syrup - always local, I think this batch is still from Sugar Moon Farm.

It's only Tuesday, but I've already forgotten what lunch was. Supper, on the other hand is easy to remember... Sweet Potato Panko Crumb Haddock Fillets (I've made this a million times, and after 30 minutes of searching realized, I never wrote a recipe for it! I could do it in my sleep and so I guess that's the reason. No fears, though... recipe is now up and I'll have to take a picture next time. Served with a salad of spicy organic mixed greens from Free Spirit Farms, fresh herbs from River View Herbs and simple vinaigrette starring Balsamic Apple Cider Vinegar from Boates Farm.

Thought I'd end with last night's dinner - Getaway Farm Grass fed Strip Loin Steak on the BBQ served with sauteed fiddleheads, & mushrooms along with boiled new potatoes flavored with green garlic and very young Spring onions. The steak is so delicious, it needs absolutely no seasoning!!!

Now I'm off to aquafit class to work off some of those calories.

How Many Times Can I Say It....Love Food Magazines

I've already mentioned my latest batch of food magazines and I'm already Jonesing for more...how fickle I am. Don't get me wrong...I never throw old ones away and spend many a glorious hour flipping through them looking for the perfect recipe for... something or other.

The bottom two shelves of those bookcases are filled with great magazines and at the top of the photo (on the left) is my coveted Donna Hay Collection of cookbooks (5 so far) and magazines. There are actually two more shelves of cookbooks above, but this is a post about magazines.

There are certain times of the month when they all seem to appear on bookstore shelves and I can't resist. So, while watching mindless TV, I flip through them, turning down pages that look appetizing and, I admit, often put them aside for a time. That said...much more often, there will be one or two in a batch that just scream out to me every time I pass them by.

Bon Appetit March 2009 is just such an issue and it looks loved too...all wrinkly from when it fell into the bathtub (a perfect relaxing event...sweet smelling bubble baths and a glorious read of savory dishes). Thank goodness for the hair dryer! Usually only one recipe gets made immediately after purchase, but that issue won our hearts with four awesome meals:

Braised Short Ribs in Sherry

Lamb & Eggplant Shepherd's Pie

Moroccan-style Chicken Pie

Shrimp & Sausage Pie

But it was time to move on...and the latest Saveur(top of the pile on my table) has been making the most noise with those fantastic looking ribs on the cover...which, by the way, were everything I expected them to be and then some.

Hawaiian-style Kalbi

There are some lovely artichoke recipes that I'll be trying ...once we actually get some local artichokes. It is still very much winter here, remember. I think, however it's time to move on to the next magazine...

Donna Hay?...the roasted tomato, eggplant & haloumi burger has my mouth watering, as does the smoky chili chicken, chorizo and feta burger (it is getting on to lunch time here, although today we're eating out with the kids - two generations of them!) and the mint flat bread with green onion pesto is definitely a "must make soon".

The latest Bon Appetit (April, 2009)?...some very tasty looking dishes, but they really are more Spring friendly, so that one is on hold, except perhaps the halibut fillet on mashed fava beans with mint...that is if I can find the early spring fava beans here.

Delicious Magazine ?...February's issue has an awesome looking Spicy Prawn (shrimp in my neck of the woods) and chickpea curry that definitely is on the shortlist...not to mention the nutella mousse!

I guess it's time to hit the stores...not sure if it's for more magazines or ingredients for some of the above.

Which are your favorite cooking magazines? I'm always looking for new faves.

A Great New Herb Book, Fantastic Peruvian Parsley Salsa and WHB

I just got a fantastic book and immediately thought I had to share this one with all those Weekend Herb Blogging fans out there. It's been a while since I've actually sent in an entry and a lot has changed....Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen and founder of this extraordinary weekly event, handed over the reins to another awesome blogger - Haalo of Cook (Almost) Anything and it's still going strong. This week's host for WHB #166 (hard to believe, but true) is Rachel, The Crispy Cook and I just had to join in the fun.

I only wrote about the book today and made my first recipe yesterday.

The Seared Scallops with Peruvian Parsley Salsa served on a bed of Arugula was awesome and the salsa will make the even the most boring dishes dazzle. I can't wait to try some on scrambled eggs or perhaps even a pasta. I really liked the flavor, which didn't overpower the scallops (that would be bad, since scallops have such a delicate but fantastic flavor) but did liven things up.

Tonight I'm pan roasting some tilapia and serving it with Puerto Rican Ajilimojili - a very spicy dish with lots of garlic, lime juice and chili peppers. You'll have to stop by tomorrow to find out more about that one.

Bottom line, though...dieting has never been tastier, especially now that I have even more ways to dazzle a dish.

Lobster Dinner at Home

My brother-in-law is visiting from Toronto, so we're naturally doing some touristy things...time checking out the Halifax harbour, heading out to Peggy's Cove and the rest of the lovely Lighthouse Route. We've taken many a visitor on these journeys in the past year and we love doing it. But this is the first time we actually cooked lobster at home. And it was absolutely spectacular.

This is just a short post...because we're heading out to take advantage of a gorgeous day, but I had to share. We bought our lobsters at the massive Clearwater store along the Bedford Basin. So many lobster options...soft shell (with lower percentage of meat), some perfect for canning, to the hard shell variety. Guess which route we chose....no contest....2 lively 1 1/2 lb hard shell primo lobsters went into the bag and we headed home.

I finally got to use the huge pot I bought last summer specifically for this purpose (although it will be used for making large batches of soups, sauces and stews for the freezer...but I digress. And naturally the menfolk reminded me of Woody Allen in the movie Annie Hall, so I had to do the handling.

Here's Clearwater's own recipe for Boiled Lobster and while you're there, check out the other great recipes. My Honey wouldn't let me post the photo of empty shells, so you'll have to trust me when I say there was nothing left. The lobsters were sweet and juicy and the best I've ever eaten. And, by the way...Clearwater has an online store and ships anywhere, so you don't have to live in Halifax to enjoy some of our local lobsters.

The picture of me in my lobster bib is still on my brother-in-law's camera and we're off to explore....see you all tomorrow for the Presto Pasta Night Roundup.

New Orleans Cooking at Home

I've only been to New Orleans once, years ago to speak at a conference and naturally didn't get enough time to do much exploring. I did, however get hooked on the music and the food and have been meaning to go back ever since. Somehow I haven't done that yet, getting my fix of etouffe and jambalaya elsewhere (never nearly as good). So when I was asked to check out Ralph Brennan's latest cookbook - New Orleans Seafood Cookbook...seriously, how could I refuse!!!

What can I say...well...let me just list some of the amazing recipe choices ...all with beautiful photos that will definitely have you drooling. If you love New Orleans cuisine - Creole dishes like Crab Cakes with Ravigote Sauce, Fried Oyster Po' Boys, Crawfish Pie, Seafood & Okra Gumbo, Louisiana Seafood Boil, Seafood Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffe, Alligator Sauce Piquante...then you will love the opportunity to make the dishes right at home.

I do have a couple of caveats though...unless you live in Louisiana, you will have difficulty finding many of the ingredients. You can order some things on line (but I'm an immediate gratification person myself, so that's not really my option) and of course you can substitute some ingredients, but...as an example...here in Halifax, I can order crawfish tail meat...not whole crawfish, so forget using the head and shells for stock...but only one local shop will do even that through their supplier in Cape Breton who will order it from Louisiana and get it shipped in frozen and then sent on to Halifax (all this takes about a week)...so I'll be using shrimp, even though it won't taste quite the same. Not to worry, I promise. The moaning around the table when I served dinner was testament to deliciousness.

One other challenge for me, is that typically I like to make things that come together in a snap. Many of the Louisiana dishes I love, take time so they're great for long afternoon adventures in the kitchen. Although many of them like the unbelievably delicious ....

Shrimp Ravioli in Roasted Tomato Butter Sauce
(Ralph used crawfish which would have been awesome)

...can be made in stages. (His photos are a thousand times more appealing.) Ralph Brennan tells you how. In fact you can make the ravioli pockets and freeze them for up to a month, which means you only need 30 minutes or so for the sauce and a couple of minutes to cook the pasta in salted boiling water.

And if you think this is just a seafood cookbook...think again. Check out this absolutely fantastic

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

I made it for my son-in-law's birthday party and everyone devoured it. ( I had to use some maple syrup instead of Cane syrup, but it still was delicious.)

And there are lots of desserts, salads and sides that will definitely take you to New Orleans, if only in spirit.

Another thing I really like about this book are the sections dedicated to sauces, butters & dressings; seasonings, flours & breadcrumbs that are uniquely Louisiana...

...like this simple to make Creole Seasoning, or pecan flour, to name just two. An entire section is dedicated to stocks...everything from beef, to chicken, to crab & to vegetable stocks - 8 in total. And don't get me started on his Spirits section that ends with Cafe Brulot Diabolique and has Ralph's own blend...Nocello & Frangelico liqueurs added to freshly brewed coffee...add a little whipped cream, put on some New Orleans style music and you're in heaven.

Now I will absolutely have to get myself to New Orleans and visit one of Ralph's restaurants...Red Fish Grill, or Ralph's on the Park or BACCO, (some of the recipes are in the book and listed on the web sites) and check out his cookbook site for even more recipes and other interesting info. You'll be hooked!

And since I'll be hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night...I couldn't resist sharing this dish with the rest of you.

Worked on Mussels AND Muscles Today

A funny thing happened on my way to Physiotherapy session today. While waiting for treatment on my very sore shoulder muscles (too much time spent at the computer - don't ask)...I was flipping through magazines and found this tasty recipe in a Homemakers Magazine... the February/March 2008 issue... and came across a recipe that sounded awesome. It wasn't until I started to write it up that I realized the Mussels/muscles thing...Forgive me...it must be the cramped shoulders talking. Do try these mussels though...very tasty, indeed.

Mussels in Tomato, Fennel & Orange Sauce

And living in a place where mussels are local and really fresh every day...how could I resist. Especially since I'm trying to eat heart healthy food. Did you know that they have less than 1g of saturated fat per 3.5 oz/100g serving?

Many of you would serve this over couscous, rice or pasta, but I love mine in the broth. Now if only I didn't give up bread quite so soon, I would have sopped it all up with some crusty sourdough.

Fish & Seafood

Great sauces & Marinades
Chimichurri - great spicy sauce for grilled fish, seafood, meat & chicken

Citrus Herb & Green Tea Rub - great on chicken too!

Marinades

Jerked Honey Rum Glaze - perfect for grilling or roasting salmon, shrimp....

Fermented Black Bean & Garlic Sauce - great for marinade and stir fry (especially shrimps, mussels, clams, oven steam baked fish fillets...)

I started out marking which fish/seafood dish was South Beach Diet friendly...Actually all of them are once you hit phase II and most of them are right from the start. Just pass by the ones with bread crumbs (although ground pecans make a fantastic substitute - so good in fact, you might just always choose that route.) Honey can be replaced with sugar substitutes, but frankly, the small amount (unless you're diabetic, isn't enough to worry about - at least not in my house).

Grilled Halibut Steaks with South Asian Sauce

Hoisin Glazed Halibut

Lemon Pepper Crusted Halibut Fillets

Cilantro Roasted Cod Fillets - also great with halibut, sea bass or salmon

Cod Provencal Rouxbe.com style (great with tilapia or other firm white fish fillets)

Pan Fried Haddock

Pecan Breaded & Baked Haddock

Baked Fish Fillets in Sour Cream

Mediterranean Fish Fillets

Pasticcio of Salt Cod & Spinach - would work with any mild white fish too

Sauteed Cod Cheeks with White Wine, Lemon, Parsley & Garlic Sauce

Seared Sesame Tuna with Wasabi Mayo

Baked Gefilte Fish

Smoked Mackerel & Scallion Tart - this is one Knock-your-socks-off dish, perfect for impressing the world!

Salmon dishes

Apple & Horseradish Glazed Salmon

Asian Salmon Patties

Barbecueless BBQ Salmon

BBQ Lime & Jalapeno Salmon

Grilled Maple Cardamom Salmon Fillets

Baked Salmon with Horseradish Jelly

Coriander Roasted Salmon with Cilantro Dill Yoghurt Sauce

Creamed Salmon on Toast

Crunchy Roasted Salmon with Baby Greens & Fennel Salad

Cumin Crusted Salmon Filets with Orange Chipotle Butter

Ginger Roasted Salmon with Seared Scallops over Swiss Chard

Grilled Herb Crusted Salmon

Grilled Salmon with Citrus Salsa Verde - my new favorite

Grilled Salmon with Ginger Marmalade Balsamic Glaze - another favorite

Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa

Salmon Coulibiac with Yoghurt Dill Sauce

Cedar Planked Salmon on the BBQ

Cedar Planked Salmon revisited

Cilantro, Lime & Chipotle Roasted Salmon

Dill Roasted Salmon

Grilled Salmon Latin Style

Kid friendly Salmon Cakes

Lebanese Roasted Salmon

Lemon Chili Salmon on the BBQ

Jamie Oliver's "Pass It On" Salmon Tikka

Maple Glazed Salmon

Maple Glazed Quick Grill Salmon Fillets

Mexican Inspired Roasted Salmon

Orange Chipotle Roasted Salmon

Pistachio & Wasabi Roasted Salmon

Roasted Chimchirri Salmon on Mixed Greens

Roasted Indian Spiced Salmon

Roasted Orange Honey Glazed Salmon

Roasted Salmon on Braised Spinach (this one is with dill)

Roasted Salmon Filet on Spinach (this one is with cilantro and mushrooms added to the spinach)

Roasted Salmon with Asian Herb Marinade

Roasted Salmon with Maple Balsamic Dressing

Roasted Salmon with Tamari Orange Marinade

Roasted Salmon with Teriyaki Hoisin Sauce

Roasted Sesame Salmon

Rosemary Roasted Salmon with Grand Padano Cheese

Salmon & Green Vegetables en Papiotte

Salmon in Leek & Olive Sauce

Salmon Paneer Cakes - also great with crab or shrimp

Salmon Pesto Burgers

Scottish Roasted Salmon

Simple Salmon with Almonds

Salmon Gefilte Fish

Spice Rubbed Roasted Salmon

Sugar & Spicy Glazed Salmon Fillets

Tandoori Salmon

Tilapia & other white fish fillets Breaded Baked Bluefish Fillets

Pecan Crusted Tilapia - South Beach Diet

Citrus Roasted Tilapia

Crunchy Baked Haddock with Tartar Sauce

Fish Parcels with Shallots & Tomatoes

Lemon Tilapia

Pan Grilled Tilapia

Roasted Tilapia with Garlic, Lemon & Coriander

Tilapia Chanticleer (great with any white fish fillets)

Tilapia in Tomato Saffron Sauce

Sea Bass on Rosemary Skewers

Seafood

Lobster
Steamed Lobster

Lobster Mac N Cheese

Crab
Avocado Crab Cakes

Crab and Avocado Salad with Cilantro Mayo

Crab cakes with Chipotle Mayo

Spicy Crab Cakes with Wasabi Mayo
Scallops
How to sear the perfect scallop ( prerequisite for all the recipes)

Sea Scallops - two ways: Roasted on the half shell & Seared 

Grilled Scallops on Rosemary Sprigs

Garlic Pepper Seared Scallops

Scallop & Asparagus Orzo Risotto

Roasted Scallops with Rosemary & Thyme (great with shrimp too)

Seared Scallops with Baby Greens & Balsamic Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Seared Scallops with Pickled Beets, Goat Cheese & Maple Buttermilk Vinaigrette

Seared Scallops with Peruvian Parsley Salsa South Beach Diet

Sauteed Scallops & Shrimp on Blueberry & Tender Greens Salad

Shrimps
Shrimp & Scallop Stir Fry with Baby Bok Choy South Beach Diet 

Another Shrimp Stir Fry with Spring Vegetables

Baked Shrimp with Fennel & Feta

Cholula Southern Grilled Shrimp 

Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp

Saffron & Coconut Milk Shrimp

Shrimp Sliders with Wasabi Mayo

Sesame Shrimp with Wasabi Mayo

Spicy Shrimp Salad

Spicy Chile Shrimp (Thai style)

Ancho Chili Shrimp Stir Fry

Farfalle with Shrimps & Garlic Breadcrumbs

Garlic Shrimp Tapas

Grilled Indian Shrimp with Garlic Fennel Dip

Grilled Shrimp in Garlic Wine Marinade with Peanut Sauce (definitely NOT South Beach Friendly)

Grilled Shrimp with Chipotle Dipping Sauce - South Beach Friendly

Grilled Shrimp with Mint & Cilantro Pesto

Lemon Chili Shrimp & Seared Tuna

Masala Shrimps & Avocado

Saffron Shrimps

Shrimps with Lime & Ginger Salad with Asian Inspired Dressing 

Shrimp & Spring Veg Stir Fry

Shrimp, Chinese Sausages & Shitake Stir Fry 

Shrimp & Chorizo Sausages

Shrimp & Chorizo Kebabs with Chimichurri

Shrimp & Seasoned Sausage Pot Pie 

Shrimps & Mushrooms & Asparagus over pasta

Shrimp & Steak Kebobs

Shrimp & Merguez - easy stirfry

Shrimps with Chili Peppers & Cilantro

Spanish Shrimp in Garlic

Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Spicy Shrimps, Shitake Mushrooms & Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry

Stir Fry Shrimp with Bok Choy and Fermented Black Beans

Shrimp & Feta Stuffed Zucchini Boats - South Beach Diet, Phase II friendly 

Tangy Spicy Shrimp & Chorizo Pasta

Thai style Shrimp & Chicken Cakes

Thai Chicken & Shrimp Curry

Mussels Moules Mariniere (Mussels Mariner style)

Iberian Mussels

Mussels in Tomato, Fennel & Orange Sauce

Surf 'n Turf - South Beach friendly

Steamed Mussels, Scallops & Merguez 

Steamed Mussels with White Wine & Fennel

Steamed Mussels with Chorizo & White Wine