No. 1: Welcome

A preview of what I have in store

Thanks again for joining me here. I look forward to this newsletter being a way to share an excess of seafood tips, adventures, meals, insights, inspirations, recipes, resources, etc. that I’ve been collecting over the years. And continue to collect, with added gusto of late.

I’m still working out exactly what a realistic pace will be for these newsletters. I plan to shoot for two per month for now, every other Wednesday, maybe that will change.

For now, I have determined a range of themes that I’ll touch on over time. Each issue will surely be a different mix from among these areas, depending on what’s got my interest that week. I imagine you’ll find four or five of these per newsletter, maybe more, maybe as few as one if a particular topic seems to merit going solo that time.

Here’s what will be on tap:

• at the market — where to buy great seafood, from brick & mortar stores to at the fishing dock and other options in between

• on location — seafood at its source, visiting places where it is caught or raised

• in the kitchen — tips for the basics on storing, cleaning, handling seafood, along with standard cooking techniques

• recipe box — recipes, both formal and informal

• around the table — experiencing great seafood meals: at restaurants, picnicking, special occasions, at a friend’s house

• out and about — events celebrating seafood in some form or another, from regional festivals to restaurant events

• seafood people — profiles or Q &A with cool and interesting people who work in the world of seafood (including chefs, writers)

• on the road — delicious, interesting experiences with seafood while traveling, from my own adventures and occasionally sharing those of friends

• industry insights — news from the other side of the seafood counter and beyond, notes from the industry

• retro seafood — I’m a devoted nostalgic, will share memories, stories, old recipes and menus, and other blasts from the decades past

• seafood essentials — some favorites from among reliable resources I turn to, books, websites, organizations and such

• odds and ends — last but not least, tidbits of information or random thoughts that don’t qualify for one of the above

And to get things rolling with a sample of things to come….

Recipe Box: Quick Shrimp Stock

In my most recent book, Shellfish, I offer a full-on recipe for making shellfish stock, which is a double-bonus for the seafood cook. Not only does it help you get maximum value out of the in-shell crab, shrimp and lobster you’ve bought, you’re left with exquisite broth that will add flavorful character to countless preparations. But you can start with as little as a generous handful of shrimp shells simmered in water, to draw out flavor from the shells for use with a pan sauce or other simple preparation. This post reflects on that, with description of off-the-cuff shrimp stock, plus a recipe for Herb-Marinated Shrimp for those shrimp you’ve shelled. Made with game night in mind, it’s from one of my earlier cookbooks, Gourmet Game Night.

Odds and Ends: Seafood Shopping Survey

In my quest to learn more about what it’s like to shop for seafood across the country (which I get a taste of by window-shopping online, but not the same as being there) and to find out what’s on customers’ minds when they’re shopping (what they buy, what they like about their favorite stores, what frustrations they may encounter), I came up with this survey. I’d love to get your feedback, if you have a few minutes to fill it out. Many thanks.

Out and About: OysterFest Oct 1-2 in Shelton, WA

Back in the 1990s I went to this festival many times, it was SUCH a great time every year. I was editor at Simply Seafood magazine and judged cook-off competitions at the festival. I’m sorry it fell of my annual plan of fun things to do every year, it’s been a while since I’ve been. But it looks to be as good as ever (in a different location from way back when) and celebrating its 40th anniversary! Bummed to miss going this year, I’ll be on a different seafood adventure up in Alaska that you’ll hear more about later. Sure do hope to make it for the 41st next year. Short notice, but here’s a link if you want to check it out.