Essays and Stories
Loss, Long Days and Bloody Decks
Blue water fishing requires endurance, an acceptance of discomfort - and the possibility of getting skunked. This is what it's like in search of tuna.
Fish
Grilled Fish Collars
When you catch a big fish, don't forget the "collar," the meaty bit right behind the gills. Marinated and grilled, it is a spectacular part of the fish.
Fish
Fish Puttanesca
Pesce alla puttanesca, fish with harlot's sauce. Delicious and easy to make - all the ingredients are pantry staples.
Fish
Clam Chowder, Mom, and Memories
Today is Mother's Day, and for me that means mom's clam chowder. Not only is it a wonderful chowder, but it's also a bowl full of memories.
Appetizers and Snacks
Greek Fried Mussels
Fried mussels done Greek style, with Mediterranean spices in the flour and served with garlicky skordalia dipping sauce.
Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi
Spaghetti with Anchovies
A recipe for spaghetti with anchovies, a take on the classic pasta con le sarde from Sardinia and Sicily. Any small fish works, though.
Appetizers and Snacks
Smoked Oysters
Delicately smoked oysters are a fantastic appetizer or snack, and are great on pasta.
Fish
Blackened Catfish
Blackened fish is so 1980s, I know, but I still love it. Here I use catfish, a Cajun staple, but you can blacken any fish sturdy enough for this ferocious cooking process. Blackened redfish is the classic example. Alongside the fish is Cajun succotash, called maque choux.
Essays and Stories
Tidepool
Tidepools capture me like nothing else, and I am certain I am not the only one who has carried this fascination well into middle age. Tidepools capture us because they are a microcosm of life: A world in a puddle. And, as it happens, an edible world.
Fish
Nordic Fish Chowder
A Scandinavian take on fish chowder, this recipe uses a variety of fish and seafood, although any firm fish will work, along with a cool, optional ingredient: whey. Whey adds a bright tartness to the broth. This is such a great soup you'll want to give it a go.
Greek
Greek Grilled Octopus
I haven't bought meat or fish more than a handful of times in more than a decade. Octopus is my exception. I love grilled octopus, especially Greek style. Baby octos served as a meze, a Greek appetizer, is one of my favorite things to eat in summertime.
Fish
Butter Poached Fish
Slowly and gently cooking fish, halibut in this case, in butter or oil is a super easy way to cook your fish that tastes luxurious and which adds a lot of flavor to mild fishes. And you can reuse the butter!
