Tuesday, July 20, 2010

King Crab: The Seafood of Legends


It turns out that seafood is far more than food from the sea. It is food for thought as well, and apparently legends. 
 
I discovered this recently as I was fixing one of the family’s favorite seafood, King Crab Legs
. My youngest was playing with one of the legs and peppering me with questions about where it came from, if the females are called “Queen Crabs,” how big they get, etc.
 
So with the help of his big sister, they did a little internet research which they then shared at the table. While we cracked the steaming succulent crab legs and dipped them in butter, here is some of what we learned about King Crabs:
 
·         Alaska King Crab is known as “The Deadliest Catch.”
 A popular Discovery Channel series of the same chronicles the harsh reality of those who endanger their lives to bring us crabs. (So now we will look forward to the reruns of what we’ve missed!)
·         In Alaska, king crab fishing is limited to a short period each year, making it a sustainable catch, so you can enjoy those King Crab Legs
for years to come.
·         King crabs
, which can reach 15 pounds and live over 20 years, are the largest members of a “superfamily”of decapods crustaceans.   
·         Most harvested are the males, and generally between 4 and 9 pounds.
·         The tail of one female can hold thousands of embryos for the 11 months until they hatch. (And snow crabs, not female king crabs, get called queens by some.)
·         Surprisingly, the king crab is generally believed to be derived from the hermit crab.
·         Its predators include cod, halibut, other king crabs, and us!
·         They are a great source of low-fat protein. A 3 -ounce (84 gram) serving boasts 16.45 grams of protein and only 1.31 of total fat (and only 0.113 of that is saturated).
·         None other than Rudyard Kipling immortalized a King Crab in “The Crab that Played with the Sea
,” one of his Just So Stories. (Click for a treasure chest of bedtime stories!)
 
An amazing thing happened as the children were sharing this with us at the table. They started eating slower, clearly savoring the food more. They even expressed appreciation for all the hard work that it took to bring these delicious King Crab Legs
to our table. (They thanked me too, by the way!)
 
Now let’s see what happens when I order some fresh King salmon! This could be the start of a really enjoyable family tradition: sharing delicious seafood, stories, facts, and appreciation!

Monday, July 5, 2010

6 Easy Steps To Sizzling Fish Kebabs

With summer in its full glory, it’s time to jazz those barbecues up with something a little more surprising than dogs and burgers. How about some sizzling fresh salmon kebabs on a platter heaped with garden fresh veggies?
 
Grilled fresh seafood provides a tasty and healthy option. Alas, many home chefs shy away from trying it because they’ve had a bad experience with fish fillets that stick to the grill, fall apart, or end up just plain dry and overcooked.
 
If that’s happened to you, try something new! Instead of cooking whole fillets, go for chunks on skewers. Kebabs make everyone feel special, and as the grill master, you’ll find controlling the outcome a whole lot easier. You’ll serve your dish with pride instead of excuses. A basic recipe follows, and you can find more at great recipe sites such as Epicurious.
 
As renowned chef and New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman notes, any fish thick enough to cut into steaks can be cut into chunks. Go for the freshest seafood you can find. While thin flounder filets are obviously out, you can find others at your seafood markets, including fresh salmon, halibut, swordfish, bluefish, striped bass, monkfish and even cod.
 
Since supermarket fish is usually precut, you are generally better off ordering your own fish direct from seafood markets. A good seafood market can easily help you find fish pieces that are at least an inch thick (and preferably thicker). You can never go wrong when you buy fresh salmon. You can even have it delivered overnight anywhere in the United States.
  
For best results, skip the marinating and go for a quick brush of olive oil, salt and pepper right before grilling. As Bittman notes, “More important is to finish the fish with something like the traditional Mediterranean combination of oil, garlic, oregano -- or any other herb you have handy -- and lemon. Brushing this mixture lightly on the fish after it's done cooking will add more flavor than any marinade ever could, and in infinitely less time.”
  
Here are the simple steps to fabulous fish kabobs, following Bittman’s expert advice:
  1. Prepare the grill to very hot and set the rack about 3 inches from heat source. While waiting, prepare the fish kebabs. (Have the rest of your meal ready before you start to grill as fish cook quickly.)
  2. Meanwhile, cut fish into large chunks (at least one inch cubes). Plan on about ½ pound of fish per serving.
  3. Thread them onto skewers, using two skewers per kebab for ease in turning. Baste with good olive oil; add salt and pepper.
  4. Prepare the finishing sauce in a food processor by combining 1/3 cup of good olive oil, the juice of one lemon, and 2 minced garlic cloves, adding salt, pepper and oregano to taste. (This will serve four.)
  5. Grill the kebabs until golden brown, at least 2 minutes per side, and turn. Check for doneness by inserting a thin-bladed knife into the center of a chunk; if there’s no resistance, it’s done. Don't overcook!
  6. Brush with the above sauce, add a sprig of parsley, and serve with pride!  
What’s great is that you can experiment with different kinds of fish all summer long. Fresh salmon is always a winner with any crowd! 
  
Note: You can also cook these in the broiler which means rain does not need to spoil your meal plans ever! Since it is as easy as a phone call to get fresh seafood delivered to your door overnight all year round, you can enjoy great fish kebabs even when summer is just a memory.
 
 Bon appétit!
 

Friday, June 18, 2010

Fresh Seafood Made Easy

I lived most of my life in Northern California and had fresh seafood, such as fresh salmon, crab, and oysters, at beck and call; all I had to do was drive to my local seafood shop and purchase it. Now that I live in Ohio, seafood is a precious commodity for me and it is never really fresh when I buy it at the supermarket. Seafood restaurants are hit and miss because you never really know how fresh the fish is and the portions are far too small. I would much rather have access to a seafood market as I did in California but that’s not quite possible living in Ohio.

It used to not be possible until I found a company that sells and ships fresh seafood items right to your door. I was thrilled to find out I could order king crab legs on Monday and be eating them for dinner on Tuesday. I was skeptical the first time I ordered thinking there was no way I could get really fresh seafood from an online store but I was pleasantly surprised when I got my first order and found it to be as fresh as what I could buy in my hometown seafood shop. There is nothing that compares to the taste of king crab legs, and we felt like we were at a fine restaurant.

When my husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary I ordered a shipment of salmon, fresh dungeness crab, scallops, and tiger shrimp. I spent the day preparing a wonderful seafood dinner just like we used to have back home. Everything was perfect and I know I would never have gotten that good of quality of seafood had I bought it from the supermarket.

Certainly it is a bit more expensive to order online and have it shipped fresh to our door but I feel it is very much worth every penny. Seafood is pricy no matter where you live, unless you catch it yourself, so I’m satisfied with the selection and quality of the seafood that I order; I have never had a bad shipment yet. My husband used to spend a lot of time fishing and we would often have our own fresh salmon, straight from the river. What we order is every bit as fresh and delicious as what my husband caught. Whenever we are feeling a bit homesick all I have to do is place an order and just a few days later we are back in California while sitting in our kitchen in Ohio.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Fresh Salmon and More Delivered Overnight

Fresh seafood is rare and hard to come by. You cannot just trust anyone when dealing with something so fragile. One problem with purchasing seafood online is the credibility of the site. You never know who you are buying from or where they get their seafood. This is just one of the reasons why you need to carefully research the company you purchase your seafood from, after all, over night delivery is great but only if the seafood is fresh. There's nothing like planning a dinner where your main course of King Crab Legs is no good.

A reliable seafood company is not only an online business, they serve customers in a restaurant as well. If it is good enough for walk in daily customers, then it is good enough for you. In most cases when you choose your online seafood provided are served quality and affordable seafood at a reasonable price. It is completly possible to get online orders delivered by the next day rather you prefer a perfect cut of fresh salmon or several pounds of fresh dungeness crabs. Keep in mind, you want a compnay that prides itself on fast delivery time when it comes to your love of seafood whether you prefer fresh dungeness crab or the finest fresh salmon fillet.

Another great thing to expect from online seafood companies is top quality selection of seafood. You should never settle for less than you deserve when planning your meals or gatherings. Fresh seafood is a delicacy, one that you should be able to enjoy. Shopping online you will also be offered a huge variety of seafood ranging from king crab legs, fresh dungeness crab, oysters, fresh salmon fillet, snapper and halibut. Not only do you have access to the widest selection, but the best price on the web. You will no longer have to worry about breaking the bank to supply food for your next extravagant party. Nothing can wow a crowd better than fresh seafood.
One thing that sets shopping for seafood online apart from all of the other seafood industries is quality and selection along with a personal guarantee. Most people love the advantage and freedom that comes with purchasing quality seafood online at affordable prices as opposed to purchasing seafood from your local grocery store at high prices and usually out of state shipments. You will still have a personal side of business but a larger variety of seafood as well as recipes and beverage suggestions. You many not have the drive thru window, but you do have value beyond what you have come to expect. People have been shopping online for their seafood, reciepts and other items for a long time, now it's your turn to enjoy the experience.You will love the ease of purchasing your seafood online for your next event. Visit a seafood website today to see how easy ordering really is when you're in need of King Crab Legs and fresh Dungeness Crab.


Monday, May 17, 2010

Fresh Salmon Makes for Better Tasting Dishes

Growing up in Hawaii, eating fresh fish on a daily basis was very common. Over the years I have acquired many recipes that taste their best when fresh fish is used. It was never a problem getting fresh salmon and seafood when I lived in the Hawaiian Islands and I pretty much took it for grant it until my job relocated me to New Mexico.

I love many things about living in New Mexico. I am able to live in a larger house and even though the scenery was so different from my native island home, it is still as beautiful. There was not much I did not like about it until I decided to throw a party with a Hawaiian theme and realized that the local super markets did not carry the fresh ingredients that I needed for the party. I was especially disappointed that I could not buy fresh king salmon for a special Hawaiian dish called Poke that I wanted all my new friends to try.

Frustrated with my shopping selection at the grocery store, I decided to look for a site that I could buy salmon online. In a few minutes of surfing the web, I found Giovanni’s fish market. I was so excited that I could not only get fresh salmon delivered to my home, they also carried fresh dungennes crab too.

The next day my fresh seafood and fresh king salmon was delivered. The quality of fish and crab was impeccable. I could not have found fresher seafood unless I was back on the Hawaiian Islands. Needless to say the party was a huge success and my friends could not get over how good everything tasted. They all wanted to know my secret, so I told them about this site. Now, many of my friends are also only using fresh salmon fillet in their favorite recipes too.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

How to Get Fresh King Salmon in the Midwest



Those who live in the Midwest are land locked and use to not have access to fresh salmon. Times have now changed with Giovanni’s fish market now shipping fresh seafood to the Midwest. It just takes the click of a mouse and your order will be shipped overnight.

One thing that many caterers in the Midwest have problems with is getting fresh salmon fish. Caterers and home cooks alike use to be stuck with buying frozen fish at the local super market. One never knew how long the fish had been in the freezer and if a grocery store did offer salmon that was thawed, you never knew how long it had been in the display case. Not to mention if the fish was even wild caught or if it was farm raised.

Now Giovanni’s offers its customers the ability to purchase fresh salmon online. There is no waiting in line at the seafood counter at your local Midwest grocery store. One knows where the fresh salmon was caught. The best advantage is that the fish is shipped overnight right to your door. This has made many of us that live in the Midwest happy to be able to get fresh fish and seafood any time of year.

There is no substitute when one has cooked and tasted fresh caught salmon fillet. Many home cooks and chefs prefer to only prepare the freshest food for their family and clients. Now being able to buy salmon on the internet is changing the way many of us eat in the Midwest. With many of us wanting to only cook with the freshest ingredients, ordering fresh fish and seafood online is the only way to go when one lives in the Midwest. The quality of the fish and seafood and the great prices have now made fresh fish easy to obtain in landlocked areas.


Monday, March 22, 2010

Perfect Seafood

Planning your daughter’s wedding receptions is an event that becomes very expensive very fast. Depending on the menu and the meals or appetizers the happy couple choice you can plan on spending your youngest child’s college tuition if you do not plan the event carefully. Having someone cater the reception is a pricey thing to plan on and try to budget into your wedding allowance. Seafood is a hot item at wedding receptions since there is such a wide variety of items you can serve rather treating all the guest to a meal or delicious appetizers. Trying to pay for someone to cater the reception as well as serve the freshest and best selections of seafood can become challenging. With the professional assistance of a family owned seafood market who has been serving seafood for years you can not only save yourself the headache of finding someone to cater your daughter’s event but you can rest assured the seafood you select will complete your daughter’s special day.

Perhaps you are in charge of planning your companies business dinner or weekend get together and you have only a week to prepare the menus as well as have the seafood ordered. Giovanni’s specializes in next day delivery of the items you ordered as well as fresh seafood with all your choices, never frozen selections of seafood. You also have access to wonderful menus that come accompanied with the perfect wine suggestions as well as wonderful spices and sauces to compliment your seafood selection. Why risk having last minute menus put together by a catering company that not only overcharges you but does not offer fresh top of the line seafood. Rely on a family owned seafood company who knows how important fresh, not frozen, seafood is when you are making an impression on the people in your life.
Whether you want perfect fillets of certain fish, a variety of shellfish for you guest to choose from, caviar to complement your dinner table or fresh salmon to garnish a particular dish you will find exactly what you are searching for and more shopping on line. Enjoy life when planning special events or merely family dinner parties and rest assured that even if you wait until the week of your event you will have fresh seafood delivered to your door in no time. Delivering seafood to all the states in the United States and overnight delivery available you can rely on the service of Giovanni’s seafood market. Take advantage of the huge selection of seafood at affordable prices when you browse online for your perfect seafood meal.