From EmerilWhile I don’t like the use of the word “gravy” in this context – to me gravy is opaque and thick and brown – I’ll forgive Emeril his choice of words, because this Shrimp, Chorizo and Chipotle Gravy is great. Spicy and filling, it’s meant to go over Mexican rice, but I opted for what I had available, couscous.
152 Commerce St, Clinton, CTI can’t believe with all our family visits to Connecticut we only just discovered the seashore gem, Lobster Landing. It boasts an incredible, overstuffed Connecticut style lobster roll – warm with only butter and a touch of lemon. It was huge (about twice the size and half the price of the ones in Manhattan) and made me sublimely happy (I was actually kind of dancing excitedly in my seat after the first bite).
I was just lamenting how few rolls we’ve had this summer, and this tiny spot with makeshift outdoor seating was the perfect start to a summer filled with more and more lobster rolls, though I doubt I’ll find one as great for the price. It’s worth a detour if you find yourself in Eastern Connecticut this summer.
found on Serious EatsA simple recipe with a small ingredient list is appealing for ease, but downright exciting when the list consists of favorite flavors that I’d never heard of together. Such was the case with this Spaghetti with Crab, Chile, and Mint recipe that I found on Serious Eats (a blog that never steers me wrong).
I love this recipe so much that when i had enough ingredients for a second batch, i counted down the hours to lunch the next day.
from Cooking LightIt’s always nice to take a usually greasy food that’s bad for you and make it lighter and tastier. This Cooking Light recipe is super quick and easy (particularly if you get Freshdirect’s heat and eat rice) and can be tampered to your own tastes. I added water chestnuts (a personal love), rice wine vinegar and fish sauce.
From Eating WellHooray! It’s the time of year for chowder consumption (at least it’s meant to be – hello, global warming). This Eating Well Salmon Chowder is nice and thick without resorting to those unhealthy thick creams or milks. Instead, one uses potato flakes, which leaves one in the happy situation of having a box of Idaho Spuds in the house – a purchase one otherwise might feel embarrassed about, despite their deliciousness and ease of preparation.
Plus: my favorite herb (tarragon) gets a starring roll, as does as kicky Dijon and chives.
30 Gem Street, GreenpointThe hours for Acme’s Fish Fridays (8am to 1pm) make it difficult to squeeze in before work, but I can assure you it’s certainly worth the effort. The factory, a fourth generation family-run business sits in the heart of industrial Greenpoint and the fish smoked there can be found in most local grocery stores, and it supplies many restaurants too.
When the factory opens to the public, great deals can be had, not only on their packaged goods, but their fresh smoked products, which I was more interested in. Samples are available and I decided to get a chunk of the cold smoked salmon which was delicious.
A grand party platter could be made with all the delectable offerings, including a large tub of caviar for $25.
Click here for the rest of Acme Fish Fridays
Gumbo is the kind of meal I simply don't have the patience to make myself. Fortunately my friend Mike possesses such virtues and is kind enough to share the fruits of his labours. His recipe calls for lots of okra, sausage and shrimp over a heap of white rice. It's spicy, rich and delicious.
Here are some basic recipes to work off of.
Cat Cora is most famous from her stint as the first female chef Iron Chef and for being pregnant the same time as her wife, Jennifer. A fan of Mediterranean cuisine, her shrimp salad is light and lemony and not nearly as heavy as the mayo kind we're all used to. Of course I kind of negated any health benefits by matching it with garlic bread which worked great sopping up the vinaigrette.
The lack of fresh seafood to buy in my neighborhood makes the prospect of a great dish from the sea all the more appealing and The Mermaid Inn, which has been on my list to try since I was able to pay for a nice meal out, is a great spot to indulge in the craving.
We shared oysters to start, a nice selection of East and West coast, the best we've had in a while. I have to give particular praise also to my hot and dirty cocktail – an ingenious combination of a dirty martini and hot sauce, complete with a banana pepper garnish. Why I've never thought of it before is a mystery, but it is certainly a drink I'll be making myself in the near future.
The space is warm and naturally lit with a staff that perfectly balances upscale service and genuine personality. It's little wonder that the restaurant is a neighborhood favorite, everything is just about right from the food to the price – which is maybe a little high for everyday grub, but far less than comparable places.
They even have a recession deal (before 7pm) that knocks the classic lobster roll down to twenty dollars plus a free Blue Point beer. Jim was psyched. My equally good meal of a perfectly pink, big salmon was set off by excellent accompaniments: asparagus, yellow squash, tomato hollandaise, yummm.
The meal was finished with an off the menu complimentary chocolate pudding with cream and the cute signature freebie of a Fortune Telling Fish that told me I was “in love”.
This flavorful dish owes its pizzazz to the multi-spice rub that includes brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon and lemon. Part sweet, part spicy, with the simple addition of thinly sliced onions to cook in the juices, this recipe of Indian Spiced Salmon won over even Jim, who is no particular fan of the popular fish.