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.

LEFTOVERS

Fish Pancakes!
I had about 5 oz. of perfectly cooked black sea bass and some julienne vegetables in the refrigerator. Being on this no trashing any food kick. I wanted to use up that black bass. Pancakes were the perfect vehicle to transport the fish from the no eat zone to the yum-o zone. Yes!!! the rest was easy, I made a small quantity of whole wheat pancake batter chopped (tarragon and parsley) and added the herbs and a couple of twists of fresh black pepper a long with the fish. Folded all the ingredients together. In a large flat pan I made silver dollar sized pancakes. Placed them on the heated vegetables topped off with a nice white sauce. >  Tablespoon+ of sour cream and yogurt add some of the chopped herbs, half teaspoon of Dijon mustard, teaspoon of lemon juice, teaspoon of lemon rind, salt and pepper. Whisk together. Bingo there you are!

Keep It Simple

Seared wild salmon with sesame seeds, ginger soy, tomato broth. Zigged and zagged with Wasabi alio.
Accompanied with sauteed spinach and stove top brown rice.

Wild salmon has about a 1/3 less fat than farm raised.

I Want Fiddleheads

Ultimate in seasonality! Here today gone tomorrow! Fiddleheads (baby ferns) are rich in flavor and are used in Asian cuisine as well as locally in Eastern Canada and the Northeast US.

Fried eggs resting on top of vegetarian chirizo hash surrounded by fiddleheads sautéed in butter shallots, garlic, red pepper, salt and pepper.

Caution: Fiddleheads harbor toxins and need to be cooked for about 15 minutes.

Acorn Squash

Roasted Acorn Squash...easy and tastes great

Wash acorn squash, cut in half and remove seeds. Slice stem end to flower end. Place in a bowl, toss with a little olive oil (or melted butter), salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper (a little honey) optional. Place on sheet pan and roast in 350 degree oven for 45minutes. There you are.

10 and a 1/2

Tofu, Tofu, Tofu finally something really different with tofu! Well...maybe? An amazing vegetarian meal! THAT'S FOR SURE!

Pancake battered Tofu, with Cajun rice patties, sautéed kale and roasted carrots. Carrot-ginger sauce ties it together.

Rice patties (cooked rice, vegetarian chorizo, egg and a little bread crumbs)

Crab Salad

Sometimes less is more. I absolutely loved this one. Simply, delish, light and refreshing.  Start with a chiffonade of butter leaf lettuce, then slice some small tomatoes and an avocado. Gently mix crab salad: 1pound of lump crab meat, with 2 TBS brunoise of red onion, jalapeno and celery, lime zest, lime, small pinch of cayenne pepper and cumin, TBS of mayo, add a TBS or 2 of chopped parsley and chopped cilantro, season with salt and pepper.

Fresh Peas and Orecchiette Pasta

Fresh Peas and Orecchiette Pasta           Simple and delicious!

This pasta dish is the epitome of comfort food.
Here it is:
In a saute pan (medium heat) add chopped shallots cook for a minute add chopped garlic and a pinch of salt cook until translucent. Add sliced mushrooms cook for 2 minutes, add some fresh chopped thyme and rosemary, spinkle with a little all purpose flour and stir well. Deglaze with sherry (1/8 cup), add the same of  white wine. Cook for 2 minutes add cooked and sliced sausage and blanched peas. Finish by adding 1/2 cup chicken broth and about 1/8 of a cup heavy cream bring to a simmer, season with s and pepper to taste. grated Parmesan optional

Cheese Omelet

Cheese omelet on pan fried new potatoes with peppers accompanied by Asian pear, blue cheese, slivered almonds and dried cranberries salad on top of red and green oak leaf lettuce drizzled with balsamic-lemon vinaigrette. 

Food note:
Asian pears are crisp and not as sweet as other varieties of pears including anjou and bosc pears.
They are good in slaws.

Sunday Brunch

MORE PLEASE!

Breaded and fried poached eggs on a bed of cream spinach and whole grain crouton topped with Swiss cheese.
Accompanied by sauteed mixed vegetables.

Striped bass

Sauteed Striped Bass with a Ginger rub a top of braised vegetables in Soy Broth served with  pan fried spicy new red bliss potatoes.

Fish tip:
Striped Bass is a tender white fish that has a mild flavor.

Sauteed Flounder and Shrimp

The perfect meal.
a lot of food to eat and not a lot of calories

The shrimp is resting on the flounder on top of spinach surrounded by roasted new potatoes topped off diced tomatoes, capers and herbs. Squeeze of lemon makes the dish POP!

Fun Hamburger Supper

Suped-up Hamburger served on a crouton with avocado and mushrooms accompanied by fresh vegetable and crisp oven roasted spuds

 Down sized - the slider concept is definitely fun!!!

Mixed Grill

New York steak topped with blue cheese
Roasted pork tenderloin
Cilantro and lime
accompanied with julienne vegetables and oven roasted potatoes




Health Tip
Oven roasted potatoes have less calories and less fat than French Fries

Braised Chicken Breast

One night I looked in the refrig for something to make for dinner, you
guessed it! I found chicken breast and carrots

Braised chicken breast with carrot celery and herbs




Shop smart: when buying chicken make sure the expiration date is good for at least 7 days

A Hearty Vegetarian Meal

A hearty vegetarian meal: 
Fried tofu and vegetables with a ginger sauce served with  fresh kale wilted with garlic and soy and quinoa.



A note about nutrition: Kale is
 high in beta-carotene an antioxidant

Omelette and salad

Wings and blue cheese sauce

Super Bowl Sunday 2012
Spicy Oven Roasted Chicken Wings
Not so healthy but Delish

Beef and Vegetable Soup

Beef broth with ginger, vegetables, tortellini and bean sprouts
For my honey - 
Yum-O