Category Archives: SEAFOOD RECIPES

SPICY LEMON SHRIMP WITH PASTA

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In my last post (Lemon and Caper Sautéed Halibut Cheeks), I mentioned that I sometimes used kind of a formula for cooking seafood and chicken when I wanted to prepare a simple entrée without giving it too much thought. (The older I get, the lazier I’ve become. I’m actually OK with that!)

Anyway, this is another one of those recipes that almost wrote itself since I have been making a version of this for just about forever. (Or as I am fond of saying – since God was a child!)

It uses ingredients I have on hand about 99% of the time. Even the shrimp, since I can buy frozen 1 pound packages of large uncooked shrimp from my local IGA. And shallots and fresh garlic play such a large part in my every day cooking, I almost break out in hives if my supply even starts to get low. Same with all the other star ingredients in this dish. I mean really, can you even imagine being without fresh lemons or Parmesan cheese?!?! It boggles the mind!

So the other day when I was contemplating a dinner I could quickly fix and serve because Mr. C. had only a short window of time in which to grab dinner between rehearsals, I came up with this recipe. At about the same time I realized that I had yet to write out how I prepared this dish and share it with you. So behold – a dish that is ever so easy to prepare, and tastes like a million dollars. And I’m sorry it took me so long to get this recipe out to you. Shame on me!

On a serious note: Please understand. I was being quite flip about having all my favorite ingredients always at the ready.  But I do understand, and fully appreciate that I am in the minority when it comes to even having enough food to eat. Much less being able to buy and consume any type of food just for the effort of driving to my local grocery store. But please know. I care a great deal about what is happening around the world to those less fortunate than myself. But one way I remain sane during these difficult times, is to interject a bit of levity into my writing and hope that in doing so I lift your spirits a bit too. Keep praying for peace. My love to all.

1 T. unsalted butter

1 small shallot, peeled and finely chopped

3 lg. cloves garlic, finely minced

1 lb. lg. raw shrimp, peeled with tails removed

½ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional if you can’t stand the heat)

¼ c. chicken or fish stock

¼ c. dry white wine

zest of 1 lg. lemon

2 T. fresh lemon juice

6 oz. pasta, cooked al dente in salted water

1 T. chopped fresh parsley

¼ c. finely grated Parmesan cheese

Heat the butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add shallot and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Add shrimp and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until the shrimp are pink on both sides and no longer opaque.

Add the chicken stock, wine, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Let cook for a minute or two to allow the sauce to boil down a bit. Remove from heat.

Stir in the cooked pasta, adjust seasoning, and serve immediately topped with the parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Lessons I have learned about cooking pasta: Perfectly cooked pasta is actually one of the most important parts of this or any other pasta dish. (And please don’t let the time directions on the pasta package be your only guide for cooking pasta to the al dente stage. Biting into the pasta is still the best way to tell if your pasta is done to your liking.)

So stir your lightly boiling pasta frequently and taste often. Then drain immediately and add the still hot pasta to your sauce. Or for cold pasta dishes, pour the pasta into a colander and run cold tap water over the colander until every bit of the pasta is cooled. Then let the pasta drain and use it immediately or refrigerate until needed.

When your dish calls for hot pasta: Never make your al dente pasta (or molto al dente pasta if your pasta dish is not going to be served almost immediately) sit in its cooking water or having been drained, sit in a colander while you finish your sauce. If anything, make the sauce wait for the pasta to become al dente. Then quickly drain the perfectly cooked pasta and add it to your sauce. Or do like I do, and lift the pasta out of the cooking water with a fine meshed strainer or pair of tongs and transfer it directly to the sauce. Also, don’t forget to save at least a cup of the pasta water. You might need some of the starchy water to thin your sauce to desired thickness.  

When your dish calls for cooled pasta: (like for a pasta salad)

As soon as your pasta is perfectly cooked, pour it into a colander in your sink. Turn on the cold water, and let it flow until all of the pasta is cool to the touch. Then either refrigerate the cooked pasta or use it immediately in whatever dish you are preparing.

 

LEMON AND CAPER SAUTÉED HALIBUT CHEEKS

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The other day when Mr. C. and I were grocery shopping and standing in front of the fresh seafood counter deciding on which fish to buy for our evening meal, I asked my dear husband to make the choice. After no hesitation whatsoever he chose halibut cheeks. Yikes – no pressure there! (I’m still, after all my years spent in front of a stove, slightly intimidated by cuts of meat and critters caught in salt or fresh water that cost more than $20 a pound. Foolish as that may seem, it is never-the-less a fact.)

So, with only the pressure of my own insecurities weighing me down, I decided to stick to a very simple formula I use a lot when preparing seafood or chicken. Butter + lemon + capers + white wine = delicious² (squared). Thus the recipe you see before you.

Now of course you don’t have to use halibut cheeks in this recipe. You can use halibut fillets, or cod, or salmon, or catfish, or whatever relatively firm fleshed seafood that is fresh and on sale that day. Oh wait – that’s how I usually decide which creature from the deep lagoon I’m going to take home with me. I peruse the offerings, check to see which are fresh caught and where, ask questions of the fishmonger if necessary, and almost always choose the “catch of the day” aka the one on sale. You, on the other hand can choose any old kind of fish you want for this dish! And enough about my foibles. Back to this recipe.

This dish is easy to prepare, takes very little time to fix, contains easily obtainable ingredients, and pairs well with rice and a simple salad or steamed vegetable. (Makes for a dinner that takes no time at all to get on the table.)

This recipe is basically da bomb! Enjoy.

1 lb. halibut cheeks

1/3 c. unbleached, all-purpose flour

½ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

pinch paprika

2 T. unsalted butter

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp. capers, drained

2 T. dry white wine

1 T. fresh lemon juice

1 T. chopped fresh parsley

Whisk the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika together in a small flat bottomed dish. Lightly flour each cheek, then gently tap away any excess flour.

Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Swirl the pan around until the butter and oil are mixed and bubbly.

Place the halibut cheeks into the bubbly butter and cook for a minute or two. Flip then add the capers, white wine, and lemon juice. Time will vary depending on the size of the pieces but to make certain the cheeks are at perfect temperature (about 125 degrees), use an instant-read thermometer. Remove pan from heat, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.

CHUNKY SHRIMP, AVOCADO, AND TOMATO DIP

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This lovely seafood/guacamole/salsa like appetizer is simply delicious. The recipe comes from one of my favorite recipe sites – Natasha’s Kitchen. I changed a couple of amounts here and there, but this gem can only be attributed to Natasha’s culinary genius.

It’s like guacamole on steroids. Every bite beckons you to take another bite. So in that way, this is a dish where you could conceivably make a pig of yourself in front of your friends and family. So maybe the first time you prepare this before meal nibble, you should do so all by yourself in the privacy of your own kitchen. Just sayin’. It’s just that good. Or, you could always make a double batch and eat as much as you want, leaving the lions share for your family and friends. (Sounds like I speak from experience, right?!?!) Actually not.

I made this last Sunday for a Mexican food themed pre-concert meal for our 101st JazzVox concert in our home. But I barely got a taste of it before our guests heartily enjoyed their way through the whole bowl. But the bite I did get made me certain that it would not be too long before I made some just for Mr. C. and me.

So if you are ever in the mood for a special appetizer, give this delightful recipe a try. I would also advise you to visit Natasha’s site. She has a wonderful flair for food and her recipes are mostly easy to follow and include, again mostly, readily available ingredients. Happy eating!

Oh, and sorry I haven’t posted recipes for a while. We were enjoying another adventure out in this amazing world of ours. If you would like to follow us on our recent trailer trip, klick on September 2019 Trailer Trip.

1 lb. lg. raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed

¼ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

3 med. limes, juiced, or more to taste

couple dashes of hot sauce (I use Frank’s Red Hot), opt.

½ English cucumber, semi peeled, seeded, and finely diced

4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced

3 avocados, diced  

½ c. finely diced red onion   

1/3 c. chopped cilantro

yellow and blue tortilla chips, for dipping

Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a fry pan over medium high heat. Add shrimp and sauté just until cooked through. Remove from pan. Allow to cool, then coarsely chop and place in a large mixing bowl.

Pour the lime juice over the shrimp, and let sit for a few minutes before gently stirring in the hot sauce, cucumber, tomatoes, avocados, onion, and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with tortilla chips.

SPICY FRIED FISH

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I’m always looking for delicious ways to prepare fish. And we love cod. But cod is not a strong flavored fish, so that means it needs a little flavor boost from either the method of preparation or from the sauce it is served with. But Mr. C. is a strong believer that not only should the fish itself be flavorful, there simply must be a sauce or aioli to create perfection.

So yesterday I went on line and found yet another combination of spices that sounded appealing. I messed with the amounts, but the spice combination itself comes from the Kitchen Stewardship site and calls itself “St. Peter’s Seasoning”. It’s really a wonderful spice blend. (I’ve only been looking for the perfect fried fish recipe for 50 some years now. And this comes as close as any that I have tried. I added the flour, cornmeal, and milk part, and that worked very well with the spice combination. This is now my go-to recipe when I want a really tasty fried fish. And just in case you were worried. This coating is spicy, but not crazy spicy. And of course, you can always cut down or totally eliminate the cayenne pepper from the recipe.)

So please give this recipe a try. Although I used cod last evening, I think it would work just as well with halibut or any other firm fleshed fin critter. Happy dining.

1 T. granulated garlic

1 T. kosher salt

1 T. paprika

1½ tsp. onion powder

1½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1½ tsp. dried oregano leaves (ground in a mortar & pestle)

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves (ground in a mortar & pestle)

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste  

½ c. unbleached all-purpose flour

1/3 c. finely ground cornmeal

½ c. milk

2 lb. fresh cod (the thicker the fillets the better), cut into portion size pieces

veggie oil

Blend the granulated garlic, salt, paprika, onion powder, pepper, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper together in a shallow pan. Whisk in the flour and cornmeal. Set aside.

Pour the milk in another shallow pan. Place the cod in the milk, turn the fillets so that all sides have been exposed to the milk, and refrigerate for 20-25 minutes.

Pour enough oil in a fry pan to coat the bottom. Heat to medium-high. When the oil is hot, remove the fish from the milk and coat with the flour/corn meal/spices mixture. Fry the fish until it is nicely browned. Carefully flip and cook the second side of the fish until it too is nicely browned. Remove the fish to a wire rack and serve immediately. I like to serve this fish with a simple tartar sauce. (See recipe below)

Simple Tartar Sauce:

¾ c. light mayonnaise

2 small garlic cloves, finely minced

1 tsp. finely grated lemon peel

4 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1-2 T. finely chopped dill pickle

1 T. finely minced onion

¼ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until needed.

BAKED TERIYAKI HALIBUT

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OK, I am never going to buy bottled teriyaki sauce again. (Of course I might have to if I’m traveling, but if I’m at home, there is no reason to spend the money or to settle for a product that is less than perfect.) Because in making this dish the other evening, I was blown away by the complex flavor in this simple recipe for teriyaki sauce.

Now one thing you should know. This is an Emeril Lagasse recipe. And if I had the opportunity, I would kiss his toes. He really understands food. So after saying that, I need to give full disclosure. I changed his recipe to fit my way of preparing food. (Now there’s a new concept, right?!?!)

But truly, any way you look at it, this is a dish fit for the Gods. It’s simple. It’s delicious. It’s NW cuisine at its finest. (Well NW with an inspired Asian (via New Orleans) influence.) Just make it soon. It is over the top amazing. Thank you dear Emeril.

1/3 c. mirin or rice wine

½ c. soy sauce

1 T. sugar

2 tsp. minced gingerroot

1 garlic clove, minced

pinch cayenne

2 (6-7-oz.) halibut fillets

minced green onions, as garnish

Combine the mirin, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and cayenne in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until reduced to a syrup like consistency, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat. (Don’t reduce too much.)

Pour a thin layer of the sauce/syrup in the bottom of a lightly greased baking pan. Place the halibut fillets skin side up in the sauce. Marinate for 1 hour.

After an hour bake the halibut in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until the flesh is opaque and the internal temperature has reached 140 degrees. Remove from oven and serve flesh side up garnished with green onions. Pass the remaining teriyaki sauce. Great with Asian Flavored Steamed Rice (on this site) and a steamed green veggie.

All I can say is – don’t be daft! Make the sauce, but at least double the recipe. This is truly the teriyaki sauce you have always dreamed of. But if you are like me, never quite achieved!

So Emeril, you Asian (not) darling – thank you. I shall forever be in your debt. And if you ever desire a Camano Island experience, we (Mr. C. and I) are here for you! Mi casa es tu casa!

SMOKED SALMON, ASPARAGUS, AND CAPER PASTA

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Yesterday morning when I asked Mr. C. what he would like for dinner his immediate response was pasta. Big surprise! And since it was Valentine’s Day and I was receptive to the idea, I decided to honor my dear husbands request and a pasta dish would be on our dinner table that evening. But what kind of pasta? Then I remembered that I had a package of smoked salmon in the refrigerator. So then – smoked salmon pasta seemed the likely choice with some grilled or baked asparagus on the side. But wait! How about adding asparagus to the pasta and serving a nice green salad on the side? So to the internet I proceeded.

And what do you know! I was not the first person to think of adding asparagus to a pasta dish. So taking hints from several posted recipes, and borrowing ingredient ideas from a smoked salmon tortellini recipe I had on file, I came up with this dish.

Now, the first thing I liked about this dish when I dug into it last evening was the creaminess. Then the little bit of tang from the lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine, and capers hit my palate. And finally, the smoky and savory flavor of the salmon caught up. The result was a quite complex and satisfying blend of yumminess.

So if you too love smoked salmon and like to feature it as an ingredient, I recommend that you give this recipe a try. It’s very easy to prepare and can easily be assembled even on a work night. And good enough for company? You bet. Serve it with a crunchy green salad and Garlic Toast (recipe on site) and your guests will forever thank you for all the effort you went to on their behalf. (You need not tell them the ease of preparation on this dish. That can just be our little secret.) Cheers!

2 T. olive oil

1 lg. shallot, finely chopped

10 asparagus spears, bottom ends trimmed off; top ends cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces   

2 lg. cloves garlic, minced

¼ c. dry white wine

1 small lemon, zested and juiced

¼ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper  

1 c. whole milk   

8 oz. (lg. pkg.) cream cheese, room temp., cut into large chunks

2 T. drained capers

2 T. minced fresh parsley

8 oz. smoked salmon, roughly chopped or torn into bite sized pieces

8 oz. linguini, fettucine, or spaghetti cooked al dente (save some of the cooking water)

2 T. chopped fresh chives, opt.

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and asparagus; sauté until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the wine and cook until all the moisture is evaporated. Add the lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper.

Stir in the milk and bring to a simmer. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Add the capers, parsley, and salmon. Bring to just under a boil. Add the cooked pasta and some of the pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. (I used about a cup last evening.) Serve sprinkled with chives.

 

 

CREAMY SHRIMP AND SCALLOP PASTA

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So here I am at my local QFC (Quality Food Center) in front of the fresh seafood case contemplating buying some of the beautiful large fresh scallops. When next thing you know I hear the fellow next to me order some of the shrimp that are on sale. Wait – I know that voice! It’s Frank, one my neighbors who also happens to be a good friend. After we greet each other, our conversation immediately turns to his decision to buy some of the shrimp. If I remember correctly, he had previously purchased the same type of shrimp and was eager to buy more. So, never being one to not take a hint from someone who appreciates good food, I decided to buy some of the shrimp and still remain faithful to my first choice. So I bought a few of the scallops too. I figured I could decide how to prepare these beauties when I got home.

I remembered that I already had 3 wonderful recipes for this glorious seafood combination (Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche, Spicy Risotto with Scallops and Shrimp, and Seafood and Fried Tofu Lo Mein) in my repertoire. But I was in the mood for a pasta dish. (When am I not in the mood for a pasta dish?) So I did a little research, took some bits and pieces from other creamy sauced pasta dishes that I prepare, and came up with this recipe.

And oh my! The pasta was delectable. We both loved it. In fact, we almost came to fisticuffs over the leftovers the next day. (Not really of course, but the pasta was just that good!)

So next time you pay a visit to your local fishmonger, buy some large shrimp and a few fresh scallops. Then make this pasta dish. Serve the pasta with a simple green salad, and if you are feeling terribly worthy, treat yourself to some garlic toast too. (See recipe below.) You may thank me later! Buon Appetito   

2 T. unsalted butter, divided

1 T. vegetable oil

6-8 lg. sea scallops, patted dry with paper towels

1 lb. lg. uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut in half

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

paprika

2 shallots, finely minced

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

1 T. flour

1/3 c. dry white wine

1 c. heavy cream

1 c. whole milk

½ lb. spaghetti or fettuccini, cooked al dente (actually use any pasta shape you want)

½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 T. finely chopped Italian parsley, garnish  

Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and oil in a large frying pan. Add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 1½ minutes on each side. The scallops should have about a ¼-inch golden crust on each side while still being translucent in the center. Remove from pan and place in a bowl. Once the cooked scallops have cooled a bit, cut them into the same sized pieces as the cooked shrimp. (I use my cooking scissors.)

Add the shrimp to the pan. Lightly season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook 1-2 minutes or just until fully cooked and no longer translucent. (They should be pink on the outside and opaque white on the inside.) Don’t overcook or they will be tough. Remove shrimp to another bowl or the same bowl with the scallops if they have been cut to size.

In same pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté shallots until translucent. You do not want them to get brown, so go easy. Stir in the garlic and sauté another minute.

Whisk in the flour and let cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the wine lifting all the bits on the bottom of the pan during the process.

Whisk in the cream and milk; simmer for 2 min. Remove pan from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, cooked seafood, and hot, just cooked fettuccini noodles*. (I lift the noodles right out of the boiling water with a pair of tongs and add them to the sauce.) Toss until everything is combined, adjust seasoning, then serve immediately sprinkled with fresh parsley.  

*Reminder: Never make the cooked noodles wait for the sauce. The sauce can wait. Perfectly cooked pasta is always the number one priority. (At least in my book!)

GARLIC TOAST

4 T. unsalted butter (½ stick), room temperature

2 medium garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

½ tsp. kosher salt

½ of a crusty Italian or French baguette, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into serving size pieces

Place the butter, garlic, parsley, and salt in a small bowl and mix with a table fork until well blended. Place the bread on a baking sheet, crust side down. Spread the butter mixture evenly over all of the pieces.

Bake the bread in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until the top is a nice golden brown.

PARMESAN BAKED COD

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So, the last few days I have been posting mainly recipes associated with the holidays and/or cold weather. This recipe for baked fish however is a lot more versatile. It can be served any old time and for any occasion, be it fancy or down home. Winter, summer, for two or more people, a gang of people, or just for yourself. And it is so stinkin’ easy to build. A few simple ingredients to assemble, a bit of time in your oven, and your main dish is ready to serve. It even comes with its own sauce; no tartar or aioli required. Add a simple side dish and veggie or salad and dinner is on the table in no time flat.

And the most important part. It’s fish! We are trying to include more fish in our diet. It’s good for us and frankly, I will almost always choose something from the sea rather than from a farm. (OK, once in a while I crave a big ol’ honkin’ rare steak, but most of the time I prefer seafood to beef.)

Now I’m sure you’ve already noticed that this is not a low calorie dish. But in my defense, it’s not deep fat fried with a side of French fries either. So when I serve this dish, I make sure my sides are very simply prepared. (I try to be good, I really do!)

So next time you crave seafood (the kind with fins), give this recipe a try. And no, I see no reason why this dish wouldn’t be just as marvelous with salmon, halibut, catfish, tilapia, etc. Just make sure it is a fairly firm-fleshed sea critter. And check for bones. Nothing spoils the enjoyment of a delicious seafood dish faster than trying to work your way around bones. BTW, I use a pair of tweezers for removing fish bones. And no, I do not pluck my eyebrows with the same pair. I keep a dedicated pair of tweezers in the kitchen just for dealing with pesky bone removal. And yes you can run them through your dishwasher.

Well I think I have covered everything I needed to say about this dish. Mr. C. has just delivered a beautiful martini to me, so that must mean it is time for me to get going with dinner. And of course I am trying out a new recipe tonight. I’m calling it Roasted Honey-Mustard Chicken Breasts. If it works, I’ll be sharing the recipe with you in the next few days. If it doesn’t work, you’ll never hear about it again. Cheers!

¾ c. grated Parmesan cheese

½ tsp. granulated garlic

1 tsp. paprika

¼ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper (not too much)

zest from ½ of a large lemon

1 T. chopped Italian parsley

3 T. unsalted butter

2 T. drained capers

4 cod fillets (total of about 1½ pounds), de-boned and patted dry 

4 lemon wedges

Combine the Parmesan cheese, granulated garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and parsley in a shallow pan. Lightly butter a baking dish large enough to accommodate the fish in a single layer.

Melt the butter in a medium fry pan. Remove from heat and stir in the capers. Dip both sides of the fish in the butter, then in the cheese mixture, coating both sides as well as possible.

Place in the prepared pan and pat the remaining topping onto the cod as much as possible. (If you have leftover caper butter, pour over the unbaked fish.)

Bake in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until the fish is easily flaked with a fork. Serve each piece with a lemon wedge. 

 

OVEN-ROASTED SALMON WITH LEMON BASIL AIOLI

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I know there are thousands of recipes for cooking salmon in cookbooks and out there in internet land. But this recipe from the American Test Kitchen is truly outstanding, especially since you cook your piece of salmon in the privacy of your own kitchen. No standing out in the cold to BBQ it, no marinating action required, no special poaching ingredients to mess with, and no fancy equipment involved. So for the tiny amount of effort it takes, you will have created a perfectly tender, moist, delicious, and healthy treat for yourself and your family.

Of course if you serve the salmon with Lemon Basil Aioli or any of the other three condiment recipes given below, the healthy meter on this salmon recipe takes a dip towards the not-as-healthy end of the scale. But for some people I know, and not just you Mr. C., simply prepared fish of any kind is just not complete without an aioli or sauce on the side. And the recipes below are our favorites. All are easy to prepare, and just lovely with simply prepared seafood.

So get yourself to your local purveyor of fresh fish and give this roasting method a try. You will thank me just the way I am taking this opportunity to thank our dear friends Mark and Vicki for introducing us to this wonderful and simple method for cooking salmon.

p.s. I’ve included the condiment recipes below just for those of you for whom aioli or tartar sauce with fish is as necessary as chocolate sauce over vanilla ice cream is to others. You’re welcome. 

  • 1 lb. salmon fillet, skin still on one side (the thickest piece you can find)
  • 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • freshly ground sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Cut off any whitish, fatty portion along the edges of the salmon. Pull out any bones. (I use a pair of tweezers for this purpose.) Cut the salmon fillet into four pieces of equal size.

Make four or five shallow slashes along the skin side of each piece of fish, being careful not to cut into the flesh.

Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 500 degrees.

Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Rub the top of each fillet evenly with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Reduce oven temperature to 275 degrees and remove baking sheet. Carefully and quickly place salmon skin-side down on the baking sheet. Place in oven and roast until centers of thickest part of fillets register 125 degrees when inserted with an instant-read thermometer, about 9 to 13 minutes. (Check after 7 minutes if the salmon pieces are thin.)

Serve immediately. Pass the aioli or tartar sauce.

LEMON BASIL AIOLI

  • ¾ c. light mayonnaise
  • 1/3 c. finely chopped fresh basil
  • 2 small garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tsp. finely grated lemon peel
  • 4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Serve with the salmon, other types of seafood, crab cakes, or as a terrific sandwich spread.

PIQUANT TARTAR SAUCE

  • ½ c. light mayonnaise
  • ½ c. sour cream
  • 1 T. drained capers
  • 2 T. rough chopped dill pickle
  • 1 small shallot, peeled and rough chopped
  • 2 tsp. chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 1 T. fresh lemon juice, or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
  • ½ tsp. course grained mustard
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

In a food processor, combine all the ingredients and pulse several times until the pickle is finely chopped and all of the ingredients are well mixed but not pureed. Adjust seasonings and refrigerate several hours before serving.

OLD BAY AIOLI

  • ½ c. light mayonnaise (I use Best Foods Light Mayonnaise)
  • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp. granulated garlic
  • ¼ tsp. sriracha
  • 4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • kosher salt to taste

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, granulated garlic, sriracha, lemon juice, Old Bay Seasoning, and pepper. Add salt if needed.

IVAR’S FAMOUS TARTAR SAUCE

  • 2 T. chopped yellow onion
  • 1 T. chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 ½ tsp. plain old fashioned white vinegar
  •  ¾ tsp. sugar
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 T. dill pickle relish
  • 1 c. mayonnaise

Combine the onions, bell pepper, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a food processor; process for 10 seconds. Add the relish and mayonnaise and process for an additional 10 seconds. Serve chilled. Best made at least a day ahead.

CHUNKY ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE, SHRIMP, AND CHICKEN SOUP

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So what do you do with half a pound of andouille sausage, 1 chicken breast, and 8 ounces of frozen, uncooked shrimp? You make soup, of course. And that’s just what I did the other evening. I made soup. Middle of summer and all. With garlic toast on the side, it turned out to be a perfect mid-summer meal! And yummy, oh my goodness yes!

Based on a recipe I found on the Genius Kitchen site, I added some ingredients, changed the amounts here and there, and adjusted and simplified the preparation instructions. But the bones of the soup are basically from that site. (Great site BTW.)

My only regret after dinner was that I hadn’t had enough of the main ingredients to prepare a full recipe. But by all means, you can halve the recipe very easily. Just don’t blame me if you halve the recipe and wish you hadn’t. But enough about blame. Let’s get back to the “soup in the middle of summer” part.

It just came to me while I was writing this recipe preface, that I have displayed terribly misguided thinking in the past. And frankly, I should have realized my archaic opinion of serving hot soup in the summer was just that. Archaic! After all, what’s just about the first thing I discuss with our waiter, after I order my martini of course, when we go out for dinner? “What’s the soup of the day?” Winter and summer, I ask that same question. And I don’t let the temperature outside have any part of my decision. (You can just about make bet on my saying yes to any type of seafood bisque, regardless of the time of year.) So to date, why have I not served more hot soup in the summer? Because I’m a total idiot, that’s why!  

Of course there are many wonderful cold soups, but I’m going to start serving hot soup in the summer too. And yes I get the whole thing about cooking over a hot stove. But not all soups take hours to simmer, and many soups are a one dish meal. And let’s not forget about the abundance of fresh veggies in the summer. That and the fact that many soups are low in calories and easily warm up the next day in the microwave.

So my friends, don’t make the same mistake I’ve made the last 54 years of my life. Don’t wait until fall to serve hot soup. After the other evenings meal, sitting on our east facing deck, enjoying this delicious soup and garlic toast, I’ve become an advocate of hot soup in the summer. Well that, and one dish meals. (I’m not counting the garlic toast as another “dish”, because I dunk it in the soup, which clearly indicates that it’s just another aspect of the soup. Right!?!?)

Enjoy the rest of your summer. And one more thing. Please don’t leave out the green and red peppers. The soup would simply not be the same without these two key ingredients. And yes, this dish has definite Cajun influences. But there-in lies its basic appeal. I need say no more!

  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 lb. andouille sausage, sliced into 1/3-inch pieces (I use Johnsonville Andouille Smoked Sausage – not too spicy)
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces  
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. uncooked lg. shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 lg. yellow onion, chopped 
  • 2 green bell peppers, chopped  
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped   
  • 4 stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes (Italian canned tomatoes are best)
  • 3 c. chicken broth
  • 1 c. dry white wine
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 T. dried oregano 
  • 2 tsp. dried thyme 
  • 4 tsp. sweet paprika (preferably Hungarian paprika)
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes  
  • Garlic Toast, opt. (see recipe below)

Pour 1 tablespoon of the olive oil into a large covered soup pot. Sauté sausage until browned on both sides. Remove from pan and transfer to a small bowl.

Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pan and sauté until completely cooked. (Don’t over-cook.) Transfer chicken to another small bowl and set aside.

Add shrimp to the pot, and sauté just until fully cooked. Remove from pan and add to the bowl with the cooked chicken. Set aside to cool. Once cool place in refrigerator until needed.

Meanwhile, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, onions, peppers, and celery to pot; sauté for 10 minutes or until the veggies are soft and beginning to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Return half of the cooked sausage to pot. Stir in the canned tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, thyme, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat; cover, and simmer for 60 minutes.

After 60 minutes, add the remaining cooked sausage, chicken, and shrimp to the pot and simmer about 3-4 minutes or until the soup has come again to a hearty simmer. Adjust seasoning, and serve with garlic toast.

GARLIC TOAST   

  • 4 T. unsalted butter (½ stick), room temperature
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ of a crusty Italian or French baguette, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into serving size pieces

Place the butter, garlic, parsley, and salt in a small bowl and mix with a table fork until well blended. Place the bread on a baking sheet, crust side down. Spread the butter mixture evenly over all of the pieces. Bake the bread in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until the top is a very light golden brown.