If you haven’t gotten on the quinoa bandwagon yet, this might be a good time to give it a try. This ancient food, sometimes called “The Mother Grain,” is actually a seed packed with protein and fiber, making it a great substitute for meat. It’s also considered gluten-free, but can sometimes carry gluten properties if…
Fish & Seafood
Shakshuka-Style Cod
This week I’ve been feeling mixed up, out of sorts, and a little depressed. Maybe it’s this August-like hot, humid air that has permeated south Florida. Maybe it’s the state of our world, or the cloud of uncertainty under which we’re living. Maybe it’s because I’m in desperate need of a hair appointment and there’s…
Salmon & Potato Hand Pies
Craving comfort food lately? You’re not alone. The definition of comfort food differs from person to person. When stressed or exhausted, I want meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Or bread pudding. Or homemade macaroni and cheese. Or pizza. Or creamy risotto. Or stuffed cabbage. Or gooey, chocolate cake. It’s actually a pretty long list. My go-to…
Tripletail with Leek, Mushroom & Spinach
I haven’t had time to fish lately, so I’ve been living vicariously through friends, some of whom have been catching Tripletail. These fish like to hang out under crab floats, in weed patches and under structures. They resemble Flounder because of their mottled brown and cream coloring, and the fact that they swim and float on…
An Insider’s View to Stone Crabbing
Since October 15 marked the start of Florida’s Stone crab season, I thought it might be fun to give this 2016 post a little extra love. It was content I originally published on Visit Sarasota, offering a behind-the-scenes look at crabbing in southwest Florida. Give it a read to learn a little more about the folks…
A Classic Mussel Dish
You might remember the recent Field Trip Friday I wrote about my visit to Westport, Massachusetts, in which I referenced an awesome day searching for quahogs, clams and mussels. A great way to spend the day, digging in the muddy banks of a beautiful body of water and pulling out something awesome, like these mussels:…
The Best Smoked Mullet Spread
This week I hosted a workshop called “The Amazing Mullet” at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey, Florida. The folks at HSP are all about preserving and celebrating Florida’s past, and this was part of a new series called the Frances Newton Culinary Institute. Its mission is to highlight dishes using seasonal fish and produce, and…
Summer Crab Salad
Summer is in full swing — a great time to make a dish that’s not only tasty, but also, easy to transport to beach, pool, or picnic. So when the folks at Edible Sarasota asked me to create a crab recipe for their Summer issue, I decided on a salad, but one that’s a little different…
Seared Scallops with Pine Nut, Lemon & Tarragon Topping
For many areas in Florida, scallop season starts around July 1 and runs through the end of September. Folks have asked if I have scallop recipes and I actually have several on the blog: Scallop Ceviche, Bay Scallops Casserole, and Shrimp & Scallop Zoodles. And while I’d love to create a new one for this week,…
Basil & Lime Shrimp Rolls
Years ago hubby and I took a trip to Key West. It was my first time, even though I had lived in Florida for 10 years. I soon realized that, in addition to the ‘funkiness’ of the Keys, the beautiful blue-green water, the amazing fishing, and the lush tropical foliage, one of their best assets is the…
Mussels with Miso, Ginger and Lime
This week I decided to highlight a post from 2017 – a tasty (and healthy) recipe made with farm raised mussels, miso, ginger, and zippy lime. It’s easy to prepare and oh-so-delicious with crusty bread. The reason I’m posting it? A few, actually: June 1 marks the start of hurricane season, a time when those…
Wahoo Salad & Green Goddess-Inspired Dressing
Fishing friends gave me a beautiful piece of Wahoo this week, so I quickly put it into action. It’s one of my (and hubby’s) faves. If you’ve never had Wahoo, PLEASE put it on your list of fish to try at a restaurant or fish market. It’s sort of like Swordfish – white, flaky, sweet,…