A Bite of Seafood

 One of the joys of summer is a buttery or grilled bun stuffed with seafood.It could be lobster,.It could have a filling of chopped shrimp or tangy spiced crab.These are the tastes of summer to be savored with a side of fries and a tall glass of something icy and refreshing.

Lobster rolls are a classic summer sandwich. The new York Times Wednesday Food section recently published an article by Korsha Wilson about hot and cold lobster rolls.Yes, hot lobster are a thing now.It's actually not new but a century old.It was first created at Perry's in Milford, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound. A dinner wanted a lobster and butter sauce to go so the meat and sauce were put on a bun.Both hot and cold versions are pretty easy fixes. You can buy lobster meat at your local  grocery or  seafood market.The tail meat which is the meatiest and sweetest is always used for the sandwiches..For the hot lobster toast the buns in butter in a skillet. Put them inside part down for a couple of minutes. After that let the pan cool, wipe it and add more butter. Toss in the lobster meat and cook in butter and gently warm it Stuff the rolls with it and sprinkled with  celery seeds.The cold or Maine version has a pound of  chilled lobster mixed with a cup of mayo and four chopped celery sticks. Put this on fried in butter hot dog rolls. This is the one everyone likes and orders .

Shrimp salad is another summery lunch or dinner treat.Keep in mind that you have to be careful when buying fresh shrimp.Its fine if you live in a coastal area and you know the place is reputable. If not then go for  frozen shrimp.They're typically flash frozen once they're caught so this ensures freshness. Boil a pot of water and add the shrimp for two minutes.They'll turn a bright pink when they're done.As for the dressing it's mixing mayo with lemon juice. Dill and parsley are added for color and flavor. You can chop of the shrimp so it's easier to eat. Unlike lobster salad, shrimp salad can go with any bread.It's good stuffed into a pita for a lighter bite or on a sliced croissant for a more elegant meal.Crab meat is also great in a salad. Turn it into a salad for the San Francisco classic sandwich. Crab can be expensive to you can buy imitation crab which is really a paste of Pollock along with other fish pressed into shapes that resemble crab meat. You can also use crab legs too if you want Again use mayo here and mix it with freshly squeezed lemon juice  and diced celery.Fresh dill and chives work well with the crab meat so these can be added too. As for the bread you can use a Portuguese roll, much like the San Francisco version . You can also turn them into sliders too.

It's summer. It;'s the perfect time for a seafood salad. Have one with a tall glass of iced tea for a truly warm weather experience

Picnic For One

 If you want to have something indulgent this summer try a picnic for one. This can be your favorite foods in your favorite outdoor setting wither the park , the beach or the backyard. It's time to treat yourself to some good food and good rest.

An easy picnic would be getting a hero from any grocery store or Jersye MIkes. The last can customize the sandwich to what you want, whether you go for a vegan or an Italian one full of prosciutto and ham.With these you can easily grab an ice tea or soda and bag of chips. Take it to your favorite green or sandy spot with a blanket  and Kindle (or go old school with a book). Bring a sleeve of your favorite cookies too and maybe a thermos of iced coffee. Keep the mess both for yourself and for the environment down to a minimim.It's a sandwich so there's no need for plastic utensils. Throw all wrappings and empty bags along with cans and cups away too. Should you bring your favorite hamburger or chicken nuggets to the park?Or what about a salad?It's up to you but it can be messy. It helps if there are picnic tables nearby where you can sit and have a proper meal. If not, stick to the simplest and relax.

Of course you can indulge yourself in a backyard picnic. You can mess up as much as you want because your kitchen and garbage cans are near by. A mini version of a salad NIcoise is a great treat Make a small salad and add a half a can of tuna in oil (you could add the whole can if you really love the fish)along with one sliced hard boiled egg.Add tomatoes ,  an artichoke heart or two along with olives . Serve with a crust piece of french bread and olive oil and a chilled glass of white wine. Another indulgent salad for one is a panzinella or Italian bread salad. Take two vine ripened tomatoes and cut into slices. Add them to olive oil A small minced onion and a minced garlic clove will also add some flavor. Through in two torn pieces of Italian bread and stir. You can also  chill it for a more refreshing bite too.  A shrimp cocktail is the perfect meal outside . Cooked shrimp is an easy buy at your local grocery store.  Sit back under a tree, in your favorite lounger and enjoy. A shredded lobster or crab salad is another summer meal perfect for an indulgent meal  for one outdoors.

A picnic for one can be a relaxing meal time. You;re with your favorite foods in the fresh air.Try it and enjoy.

Power Up With Power Bowls

 Now that the schools from grammar to univeristy are opening up it's time to start think about nutritious meals that are easy to prepare but packed with good nutrition.This is where the power bowl comes in.It can be made for breakfast lunch or dinner. Whatever meal you make it for, it is satisfying and filling.

I 'm a big pan of any power bowl. Right now I like Tattooed Chef's plant based beef burrito bowl. it also comes in plant based chicken too. This has everything a  vegan burrito has, the plant based cheddar with corn and riced cauliflower with a jalapeno infused crema.

This is the chicken with comes with a salsa verde, plant based chicken and roasted corn.

               

This was pretty tasty and it made for amnfilling , good for you dinner. A  homemade power bowl could have allmof these ingredienta or it could have some of these. That's the beauty of them. Tasty combos can be created depending on everyone's taste/A breakfast one can be sweet with a base of chia seeds, various fruits and a good drizzle of honey or vanilla Greek yogurt. A savory breakfast bowl can have layers of hash browns. eggs and avocaodoes. Strips of turkey bacon can be put on top. A lunch or dinner one can have rice , chicken or shrimp and a  variety of multi colored veggies. Use those late season tomatoes and peppers along with fresh corn for color and vitamins.Dress with a simple viniagrette. A heartier one could include left over grilled steak and tomatoes over any kind of bean, such as a red kidneys. Drizzle any hot sauce and cotillo cream over it for a tasty Mexican vibe.If you want a true portein power bowl, think shrimp mixed with crab. Add green veggies like bell peppers and broccoli over rice or quinoa. Top with a lemony vinaigrette for flavor.

Power bowls come in handy during now busy days. They're perfect for any meal. Be creative along with being mindful about putting together one that packed with flavor and nutrition.