Swans Island Maine Lobsters

Lobsters, lobsters and more lobsters!
My friend's son Charlie is lobstering on Swans Island, Maine. Recently, we went to visit him and of course he was eager to show us his new trade. Captain Troy, a sixth generation lobster fisherman, and Charlie took us out to haul traps and show us what a day in the life of a lobster fisherman was like. On the traditional lobster boat, the crew consists of the "captain" and the "sternsman"

The Lobster Feast

Swans Island is located about 6 miles off the coast of Mount Desert Island- home of Acadia National Park. Its population of 550 people swells to 2000  during the summer months.

There are 40 lobster fisherman on the island, this wharf belongs to one family where a father and his 3 sons fish from.

Below are some of the lobster traps used for fishing.

 The bait that is used are mackerel that ripen in oil. The stuff gets everywhere and over everything. The stink from the rotting mackerel is unusual and strong. It might be P.U. to people, but lobsters love it.


Below Charlie is helping sister Callie get suited up for a lesson at being a sternsman. She can't wait to get her hands on some of the bait.
YUMMO

CSA

After picking some vegetables from a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) tonight's dinner was salad. Yummy Salad that included lettuce, turnip, zucchini, yellow pepper, tomato, cilantro, baked tofu, Gorgonzola, EVOO, decent balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

AN EASY BALANCED MEAL

Pan roasted breast of chicken with brown rice and mixed vegetables.
Looks fancy but it's easy. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then dust with flour and brown in a small amount of olive oil. Finish in a 350 degree oven. In the same pan start a small amount of diced onion, add chopped garlic to taste, add dice carrots, pepper, and mushrooms and a TBS of flour. Deglaze with a little white wine, cook for a moment so wine cooks out and then  add about 1/2 cup of chicken broth, diced tomato and some chopped herbs and let thicken. Place rice in the center of a plate, sliced chicken and put around rice, finish by putting veg. on the plate.

HALIBUT The Big Flat Fish

One of my favorites. Halibut is easily over cooked which causes it to be dry. Even the best chefs could ruin a piece of halibut. That's why I  like to saute it. Here the fish is covered with herbs and lightly dusted with flour and sauteed. It sits on spinach and is accompanied with fava beans, tomatoes and orzo. I added a couple of shrimp to make a proper sized potion.

ON A BUDGET? BRAISE?

Braised Shoulder Pork Chops
This was good, easy, & inexpensive.

To Braise means first to sear (brown) and then to cook in liquid covering the food that's getting braised by 1 third - 2 thirds liquid. Braising transforms cheap tough meat into tender luscious dishes.

VEGETARIAN DINNER

Seitan with mixed vegetables cooked with ginger, a little soy sauce a top of quinoa.

I like dished like this because they're tasty and 2 pan meals are easier to clean up after...?

FEELS GOOD

With basil from my balcony herb garden we have a Basil & Cheese Omelet with watermelon and a simple oak leaf lettuce, blue cheese salad.