Thursday, July 22, 2010

More Fresh Salmon, Less Arthritis Pain?

Did you know that eating fresh salmon not only helps your heart but can help with the pain of arthritis?
If you’ve ever experienced the swelling and pain that comes with rheumatoid arthritis, you’ll be glad to know there are various “super foods” that have been linked to improvement in those with RA. And at the top of that list is none other than fresh salmon!
 
Alas, arthritis can strike almost anyone. About 1 percent of the U.S. population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Women are two to three times more likely to have it, but men are often are more severely affected. While more common in middle age, younger and older persons can also suffer from this ailment which involves joint pain and swelling and stiffness (especially in the morning or after long periods of sitting).
 
Of course you should seek a proper diagnosis and treatment from a qualified medical practitioner if you have or think you have rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, it makes sense to keep up with the news on the nutritional front at how your diet can help you. 
 
I was surprised and delighted to discover that one of the best things we can do for arthritis is to eat more fresh salmon. Here are some of the reasons as covered in the Readers Digest:
·         Salmon is among the riches sources of healthy Omega 3 fats.
·         Salmon is less likely than other cold-water fish to contain high levels of mercury, which is toxic.
·         Salmon contains calcium, Vitamin D, and folate.
 
The article also notes that “eating salmon may protect the cardiovascular system by
“by preventing blood clots, repairing artery damage, raising levels of good cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure.”

To get the most benefit from the salmon in your diet, you should buy fish that is fresh. Buy fresh salmon. If whole, eyes should be clear and bright, flesh not slimy. Steaks and fillets should be firm and moist. Follow these cooking tips to add the most value to your meal:
  • Cook the salmon within a day or so. Use the refrigerated leftovers during the next couple days in salads or with cucumbers and dill
  • Use low-fat cooking methods. Even the good fat has calories, so don’t load up your dish with more. Cook your fresh salmon by baking, poaching, broiling, or steaming. Aromatic herbs or fresh fruit salsas will add flavor without adding fat.
  • Cook until opaque. Beware overcooking the salmon. It should lose its translucency and be opaque, with clear juices and easily flaked flesh.
While the article especially advocates the eating of more fresh salmon, it also notes nine other “super foods” that can help the arthritis sufferer, including bananas, sweet peppers, shrimp, soy products, sweet potatoes, cheese, lentils and green tea.
 
Now that gives me an idea! How about combining as many of those into a single meal or day? Imagine a succulent fresh King Salmon steak simmered with sweet peppers and shrimp with a soy sauce, with a side of sweet potatoes and a tall glass of iced green tea? Even without arthritis, that would be a really tempting meal!

Friday, July 9, 2010

How To Saute a Fish Fillet Perfectly

“Sautéing is one of the best cooking techniques for fillets, which tend to dry out when roasted or even grilled or broiled.” 
Joy of Cooking  by Irma Rombauer et al.
                               
 
 
Have you ever tried to sauté a lovely fish fillet and had any of these disasters befall you?
·         The fish falls apart while being lifted from the pan.
·         After cooking, the batter is soggy, oily.
·         The oil smoked while cooking.
·         The butter burned and ruined everything.
·         The fillets cooked unevenly, with burned spots.
 
Take heart. Sautéing fish fillets at home is easy once you know how. Whether you are going to buy fish to fry or throw out a line and catch your own this summer, boning up on the fundamentals of fish frying is essential. 
 
(1)     First, make sure that when you buy fish that it is fresh. Whether you order from an online seafood market or buy it from a local fishmonger, a fish should never have a “fishy smell.” If it is whole, the eyes should be clear. The flesh should be firm, without any milky or watery liquids. So check that fresh halibut or cod in the market, or those trout your better half brought home. A great alternative is ordering fresh seafood online for overnight delivery.
 
(2)     Choose the proper pan. Fish like a little personal space, so don’t crowd them in your fry pan. If you have a fairly small pan, you may need to fry your fillets in batches, keeping the cooked ones warm in a warm oven (200° F).
 
(3)    Choose the right oil or fat. While Irma and friends recommend a blend of olive oil and butter, or even clarified butter, more cooks prefer canola or safflower oil because they do not smoke and burn at high temperatures. So save your expensive olive oil for marinades and sauces, not for sautés.   Avoid bacon fat, lard, and seasoned oils.
 
(4)    Coat the fish to your taste. Dredge the fillets in flour (or cornmeal or breadcrumbs) seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs of your choice. (You can dip them in first in a mixture of one egg blended with 2 tablespoons milk, or in milk alone, or consult more recipes for batters, such as tempura.)
 
(5)    Use the right temperature: medium-high. If a bread cube tossed in the oil sizzles and turns golden, you’ve got it right. If it sinks and absorbs the oil or burns to a crisp in a flash, so will your fish. If it’s smoking, lower the temperature. If the cube is soggy, raise it.
 
(6)    Sauté with care. Don’t wander off. Fish fillets only need cooking for 2 or 3 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Slide them into the oil (which should sizzle but not spatter), leaving space around each fillet. Do not add too many at once as this will reduce the oil temperature drastically. Do not overcook or they fall apart. You can use the time to cut up lemons and/or prepare tartar sauce.
 
(7)    Remove them with care, serve with pride! To keep the first ones crispier, place on a rack over a paper towel-lined platter, keep warm in oven. Serve hot when all fillets are ready with lemon wedges and parsley garnish.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The next time you buy fish, follow these steps and you’ll discover your own joy of cooking fish as well as the joy of eating it! 
 
 

Monday, June 21, 2010

Recipe for … the Perfect Evening for Two!

Looking for some ideas for the perfect romantic evening for two? There are few things in the is world that beat delicious seafood, a perfectly matched wine, some flickering candles and happy conversation. Today we check out some 'recipes' for the perfect evening for two, matching your seafood order to a delicious wine, and pairing the culinary elements up with a venue!
Chardonnay and king crab legs on the boardwalk
Look for a chardonnay that is said to have a rich, buttery and creamy taste - then match it up with the delicate flavors of king crab legs and hollandaise sauce. All that buttery goodness will probably leave you feeling a bit heavy after dinner - so why not pack up your picnic basket (and a few moist towellettes for your face and hands!) and hop down to the boardwalk, a river view, or anywhere else that you can take a spectacular walk after dinner.
Riesling and teriyaki glazed salmon before a county fair
Riesling, especially German rieslings, are light and sweet, and match beautifully with barbecue teriyaki-glazed or even Cajun shrimp. All that sugary sweetness will give you plenty of energy (and stop you looking longingly at the cotton candy) at a local county fair … wander round afterwards in the bright lights and see if you can win your sweetheart one of those giant teddy bears!
Barbecued salmon and pinot noir on your balcony or deck
Bring out a blanket if the weather's getting a little chilly- but don't forego the pleasure of having some beautiful wine and awesome conversation as your fresh seafood order of salmon is barbecueing! It takes no extra cash, and you don't even have to brush your hair if you don't want to … but fresh air, good pinot noir, tasty barbecued salmon and conversation with the stars to look at cannot be beaten for romanticism.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

4 Delicious Homemade Dips for Your King Crab Legs

King crab legs have such a complex, delicious flavor that there are relatively few sauces you can use with them, while still retaining all the natural beauty that they can express to your tastebuds! If you've managed to chase up some delectable king crab legs and have practiced cooking them to perfection, you'll want the perfect sauce to go with them. Today we check out 4 easy king crab leg sauce or dip recipes that will have you salivating in memory of them for days afterwards!
Clarified Butter
Not really a healthy dip for your crab legs … but sooooo delicious! Clarified butter is quick and easy to make - you simply heat the desired amount of butter in a small saucepan until fully melted, and then leave it to stand so that the milk solids and the oil separate. Skim most of the milk solids off, and then separate the oil by slowly pouring it into a dipping bowl. When you can no longer separate the two, just stop and save the milk solids for another creamy dish made with your seafood order, like pasta marinara!
Hollandaise Crab Leg Dip
Another very easy one - you simply combine all ingredients, heat til nearly boiling, then simmer on very low heat until thickened. Mmmm - here's what you need to throw in the pan:
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp cream
  • 2-3 dashes of paprika
  • 2 dashes salt
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup butter
Bearnaise sauce
Just about any fresh seafood tastes divine with béarnaise sauce, and it's another especially easy one to cook. Simply blend the ingredients and serve the sauce warm:
  • A quantity of Hollandaise sauce (see above)
  • 1.5 tsp tarragon
  • 1.5 tsp parsely
  • 1.5 tsp chives
  • Pepper to taste
Lemon Dill dip
Onee of life's great mysteries is why seafood and lemon go so beautifully together … the reason may be a mystery, but the concept is a fact! You can serve this hot or cold, and all that needs to be done is to blend the ingredients:
  • 6 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp dillweed
  • 1 dash salt
  • Pepper to taste


Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Succulent Sablefish


Have you tried sablefish yet? Next time you buy fish, give it a try! They can be baked, broiled, or fried and are especially apt for Asian cooking.

While it was totally unknown outside of Japan until just a few years ago on menus, it has quickly become one of the most popular items on restaurants from San Francico to Rome.
A fish by any other name does taste as sweet. The sablefish gets called “black cod,” but it is not at all related to cod. It also gets called “butterfish,” but it is not a true butterfish either. The fillets are flaky and delicate, and ever so succelent. Moreover they are high in oil content, which is great for your heart health, and may account for the “butterfish” name.
For you scientifically minded, the sablefish belongs to the family, Anoplopomatidae, which includes only sablefish and skillfish. They can range in size from one to 10 pounds.
These fabulous fish are found from central Baja california north to British Columbia. While most of the catch comes from Alaska, you can buy fresh fish, line caught, from great seafood markets along the California coast, where it falls into the category of “sustainable” fish, I’m happy to note. You can even get order them from online seafood delivery services!
These fish are particurly sought for Asian cooking and sashimi. . . so small wonder that more than 50 % of the U.S. catch is exported to Japan, where it fetches a premium price.
Give the sable fish a try at a restaurant or in your home. Kasu cod, or gilled sablefish marinated in sake and leeks, is quite the in thing, as is cold-smoked sablefish. Experiment with various recipes at home. When I googled “sablefish recipe,” I got over 76,000 hits, ranging from lemon broiled to miso glazed.
For a really spectacular but simple recipe, try the Grilled Sablefish with Spicy Soy Glaze from Epicurious. Marinate for at least 20 minutes two sablefish fillets in a mixture of 3 tablespoon light soy sauce, juice of 2 large limes, 1 very hot chili (finely sliced crosswise), 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey), dash of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil. Grill 4 minutes on each side and dress with a bit of reserved marinade. Enjoy your fresh fish!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Make Your Own Sushi—It’s Out of This World!


One of the highlights of going out for sushi is admiring the itamae (sushi chef) as he artfully crafts our dinner. Like a well trained artist, he quickly sculpts the nori, rice, and bits of fish and vegetables then slices them into perfectly beautiful rounds reminiscent of the elegant French millefluers paperweight here on my desk—sheer delight of color and form. And of course with sushi, there is that delight to the palate.

With no pretense to becoming an expert, I’ve been fooling around with making sushi at home, much to my own delight and that of my husband. I’d like to share a few key learnings along the way, and I’m sure there will be more later!

1. Buy the best sushi-grade fish you can find.The final product is never better than the ingredients that go in to it. It is really easy to buy fresh fish and sea food on line from reliable sources, which is important here.

2. Get all the other supplies before you get the fish.
You want to use that fresh sushi fish as soon as you can. So in advance, get together the rest of your supplies: the mat, nori (the sheets of seaweed), rice, wasabi, sushi ginger, and the vegetables (avocado or whatever). Make it simple—order on line from a great online
3. Take FREE lessons in your own home.
Watch some on-line videos for great visuals in how to make all kinds of sushi and related dishes. Restaurant sushi chefs work too fast to really serve as models for beginners. It’s amazing to see that there are videos for all kinds of sushi and sashimi—just Google “how to sushi youtube.com” or substitute something more specific for “sushi” as you wish. (That search brought me 1, 450,000 hits in 0.42 seconds!)
4. Do not worry about being perfect.
If your rolls are lopsided or fall apart, smile like Buddha and eat it anyway. Practice makes perfect. And the taste is still great! Tell yourself “It’s not a mistake, it’s an experiment.”
When you get the hang of it, have a sushi party! Everyone can have some fun inventing new combinations that could rival that ever popular California roll. Just put that fresh fish together with your favorite veggies, and voila! In addition to the popular sushi tuna, try some Fresh King Salmon, and even cooked crab and scallops for those who are skeptical of fresh fish at first.
For entertainment at your sushi party, show a really amazing recent NASA video of the first sushi chef in space -- astronaut Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency aboard the International Space Station. Now that sushi really was out of this world!


Monday, April 26, 2010

Give the Gift of Fresh Sea Food


What’s your idea of the perfect gift to give?


Some know how to say it with flowers. Want something different? Then let me recommend sea food too you! What could be simpler than placing an online seafood order to be delivered to someone special?
Seafood makes a special gift for countless reasons. It is easy to store (much can be frozen), easy to use, delicious, and healthy! Who wouldn’t be delighted to hear the bell ring for a special sea food delivery—and discover that they’ve just received a package of jumbo shrimp or crab legs, or perhaps fresh king salmon or some other delicacy from the sea?
When you think seafood as a gift, the options are many, from fresh or frozen seafood to cookbooks, to accessories. Specialty sea food shops will be glad to offer gift certificates as well.
For Congratulations, Offer the Gift of Pride. More and more people are into gourmet cooking. I remember when my teen-age son added a sushi kit to our shopping cart a few years back. It was amazing to see him develope pride in fixing homemade sushi for family and friends.
Who do you know that loves seafood and just needs a little nudge to develop his or her culinary talents? Consider a great cookbook or a high-quality fish knife as your own encouragement to a budding chef—and you are offering the potential for pride. For the new parent, you might add the gift of convenience with already-prepared seafood dishes! Here are some ways to offer congratulations and best wishes:
· Promotion: Caviar (and champagne!)
· Graduation: King Crab Legs (you are going places!), Seafood cookbook
· New Baby: Chowders and other easy-to-prepare dishes
· Happy Birthday: Fresh Lobster Tails or person’s favorite fish
For Anniversaries, Thank Yous, Offer the Gift of Joy. More and more of my friends are discovering the joy of fresh cooking. Couples will appreciate your gift of sea food or accessories as well. Some of the happiest couples I know are those who spend quality time in the kitchen together, creating a great meal that they then enjoy together afterwards. If this is not a custom yet, let them know that research shows that mates who learn new things together actually become happier!
So to express love or gratitude, here are some ideas about how you can give seafood and seafood-related gifts to create a memorable occasion.
· Thank Yous/Hostess Gifts: Oyster knives or lobster implements
· Bridal Shower: Seafood Cookbook, Fish knife
· Happy Anniversary: Seafood Platter for two
· I Love You: Fresh Oysters (enough to share!)
Those are just a few good ideas for giving unique, memorable gifts. Now expand and adapt—just as you would with any good basic recipe, and enjoy the good feelings you are creating!
P.S. Don't be surprised if you get some great sea food in return when it's your day to celebrate!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Pregnant Women Should Eat More Fish for Smarter, Healthier Babies

We already know that fish is good for adults as it can improve heart health. Did you know that fish consumption during and after pregnancy is also recommended? The oil from fish turns out to be brain food for your child!

Scientists studied over 12,000 pregnant women, as reported in the Harvard School of Public Health, and what did they find?
  • Children born to mothers who ate less than two servings of fish a week performed more poorly on tests of intelligence, behavior, and other developmental milestones.
  • Children of mothers who did eat fish at least twice a week showed better visual recognition.
  • Children of breast-feeding mothers who eat regularly ate fish had similar benefits.
Some people are concerned that increasing their intake of fish may harm their health due to contaminants such as mercury of PCBs. But research by the Environmental Protection agency shows that the calculated health benefits for healthier development and healthier hearts far outweighs the infinitesimal danger from mercury or PCBs.
“The healthiest approach for women who are or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children is to eat two servings per week of fish or other seafood, including up to one serving per week of white (albacore) canned tuna, and avoid the four fish species higher in mercury (shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel),” notes the Harvard report, quoting the Environmental Protection Agency.
So if you are in this category, remember to avoid those four species and enjoy the benefits of fresh seafood the rest of the time! If you are considering local freshwater fish, check with experts first. [Note: If you are not in this category, the restriction does not apply—and all the evidence supports regular consumption of a variety of fish and seafood.] One of the easiest ways of assuring really fresh fish is through a quality online seafood delivery service. When you are a busy mother or mother-to-be, this can be a great time-saver.
Also, nutritionists recommend that when cooking fish, consider baking or grilling instead of frying. Perk up the taste with herbs, lemon juice, and even fruit salsas rather than high-fat, high-sodium sauces. If now and then you decide to fry some fish, say a great fresh halibut, use an olive oil spray for additional health benefits.
As parents, offering fresh seafood twice a week benefits you as well as your children. Continue this family habit as your children grow, cooking fresh fish and serving it attractively. What a wonderful way to offer your children a legacy of taste and health.


Saturday, March 20, 2010

Fresh Seafood at your Door Step

Searching for the best fresh seafood at a top quality seafood market can become aggravating when you live in the coastal areas, now just imagine if you lived in somewhere in the center of the map where fresh seafood is unheard of? You may never have the opportunity to experience the best cuts of fresh seafood, mouth watering shellfish, a variety of seafood chowder and all round best seafood. Why allow another day to go by without the fresh seafood you deserve and love no matter where you live in the United States? With the assistance of a seafood company that has been delivering fresh seafood all over the United States within twenty four hours of your order you can enjoy all your seafood dishes and appetizers anytime of the day or night. Placing an order is simple and easy with the assistance of professional customer service members who are awaiting your call or on line order. Not only will you receive the best in fresh seafood but the largest variety along with the best prices available including, in some cases, extra discounts and coupons.

Ordering seafood for your family or special occasion has never been easier with the assistance of the seafood specialist who have been bringing only the best in seafood to your neighbors doors for years. Now they can start delivering to your door and best of all within twenty four hours of your order. If you are planning a simple dinner with family and friends, a social dinner for your boss or potential clients, even for your daughter’s wedding reception or rehearsal dinner you can will find not only the best cuts of fresh fish, top quality shellfish, outstanding caviar and other delicious seafood but you will have access to the perfect wines that accompany your choices as well as delicious sauces and mouthwatering recipes. Now you can cater your own events and save an endless amount of money without risking of ruining your reputation when it comes to taste.
Never settle for frozen seafood again when you are entertaining or merely feeding your own family. With the endless amount of choices and wonderful next day service you can place your order on line or over the phone with the seafood company that is family owned and understands the importance of fresh seafood. Bringing you only the top quality seafood and perfect menus to help you plan the important dinner upcoming dinner party your meals will be a success. Enjoy shopping with the family who has made delivery fresh seafood to you and your family their top priority for years.


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Entertaining with Seafood

Seafood is a wonderful main course, snack or appetizer, plus it is full of vitamins and nutrients for your body, mainly your heart and brain. Fresh seafood is a must when it comes to entertaining or just completing the perfect meal or appetizer. Of course, some places in the United States do not have access to fresh seafood, depending on where you live so you are faced with previously frozen seafood. Now you can enjoy fresh seafood delivered to your home within 24 hours of placing your order. Not only do you have access to fresh seafood but wonderful recipes, delicious sauces that complement the seafood and outstanding recipes. Thanks to a family owned seafood market you can now place your order online no matter where in the United States you live and have your seafood and other items delivered fresh not frozen.

Choose from a variety of exotic seafood such as abalone or caviar, king salmon, Alaskan halibut, Ahi tuna, a wide variety of shellfish, smoked fish or other cooked fish and much more when you take advantage of the wonderful selections available on line. Enjoy only the best cuts of meat when you choose your fish that will make up the ingredients for your sushi, caviar that will complete a wedding menu or special occasion, or your favorite shellfish. Not only can you enjoy the best cuts of meat or the freshest selection of Dungeness crabs, king crabs and other shellfish but you have the option to purchase spices and sauces that will add flavor to your seafood dish. You can shop among only the finest seafood at the lowest prices available when you order your overnight shipment of seafood and accessories that will be delivered to your door.
Take advantage of fresh seafood as opposed to frozen seafood and watch the expressions on your guests or family’s faces when they bite into your carefully planned dinner. You will also enjoy browsing through delicious recipes that are shared with you by people who have experienced the taste and service of the seafood company that only brings you the best in seafood fillets, shellfish, caviar, and other items. Make your next dinner party an event to remember when you serve fresh seafood. Whether you are planning a full course dinner party or simply appetizers for a gather make sure you serve only the freshest seafood available.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

5 Ways to Eliminate Health and Environmental Risks in Fish

As much as we hear about the health benefits of eating fish, we hear about the associated dangers. It can be easy to scare ourselves off one of the most delicious, versatile and healthy dishes in the recipe book! There are some health issues associated with eating fish, but there are health risks associated with eating just about everything … while there has never been concern about mercury in bacon, thousands more people have died or become seriously ill from eating smoked pork than from eating fish. So today we are looking at how to enjoy your seafood order without concern about the risks of eating fish.
  1. Eat fish twice a week
    Eating excessive amounts of fish has been associated with an increased risk of mercury poisoning, especially if you favor species higher up the food chain, like shark, or bottom-feeders, like catfish. Simply limit your fish intake to two times per week, and you can enjoy your fish without worrying about mercury.
  2. Switch species
    As we hinted above, if you switch to a pelagic species of fish, or one that is lower down the food chain in your seafood order, you will get less mercury.
  3. Know where your fish are caught
    Knowing where your fish are caught allows you to make a much more informed decision about how often you should eat them. Companies that publicize their catch areas generally have a more reliably healthy product.
  4. Look for farmed fish sometimes
    There is nothing that can beat the delicious freshness of wild-caught fish. However, if every person in the world were to eat two servings of wild-caught fish per week, we would quickly run out of fish in the ocean. Switch out your wild-caught seafood order sometimes with farmed fish, and give the environment a helping hand by creating more demand for farmed species and better research into growing tasty fish!
  5. Check your species
    If you are concerned about the impact that by-catch has on the environment, check out the marine conservation website for advice on which species are associated with turtle and dolphin accidental catches, and which species are overfished.


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

8 Potential Health Benefits of Eating Fish!

We all know that the omega 3's in fish are good for our brain, skin and general functioning. However, most of us don't realize just how deep and wide the potential health benefits of that delicious online seafood order could go! Countries like Norway, Iceland and Japan where fish is consumed almost exclusively among meats have radically lower instances of many diseases. Today we look at the potential science has uncovered, when it comes to your seafood order.

  1. Asthma prevention
    When children eat fish, it seems that they are much less likely to develop asthma. It also seems that some protective effect against asthma is conferred when mothers eat fish during pregnancy.
  2. Brain and eye health
    Omega-3 fatty acids, found in high quantities in oily fish, are some of the essential building blocks for brain and eye tissue. Our bodies don't do much in the way of regeneration of brain and eye tissue throughout life, so it is most important for pregnant women to ensure they are not omega-3 deficient.
  3. Cardiovascular disease
    Studies have shown that people who eat fish every week are less likely to develop blood clots, likely to have more elastic blood vessels and lower blood pressure, and lower fat levels in the blood.
  4. Dementia
    When elderly people eat fish at least once a week, they are less likely to get dementia according to some studies - another brain-protective effect.
  5. Depression
    This insidious and quite common condition is linked to low level of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain.
  6. Diabetes
    Eating fish may make it easier for your body to regulate blood sugar and keep it steady - great for diabetics and pre-diabetics.
  7. Inflammation
    You shouldn’t only be reaching for your tuna when you get a bee sting - many health conditions see improvements along with an increase in the volume of your seafood order! Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and other autoimmune inflammatory diseases can be improved with fish consumption.

8. Premature babies
Mothers who eat fish while they are pregnant have a lower risk of delivering their baby prematurely, which is great for the child's all-round health.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Truth About Buying Seafood and Mercury

There are two sides to every biological story … sometimes there are even more. In some cases, there are as many different sides to a story as there are people in the world! When it comes to seafood, folks on one side of the fence point to the incredible health of cultures like Japan, where traditionally very little red eat is eaten and most protein comes from their seafood orders. Folks on the other side point to high levels of mercury in some fish, especially those higher up the food chain -- which sometimes happen to be those that are most recommended for health! Today we weigh up both sides of fish debate, and discover whether mercury or general health is more important.
What is mercury?
Mercury is a heavy metal which is toxic to the body, except in very small amounts. Mercury may occur as organic mercury, inorganic mercury, or metallic mercury. Organic mercury, one form of which is methylmercury, is the most dangerous.
How does it get into fish?
The vast majority of the mercury in fish comes from ocean sediment. Microorganisms in the water transform this into methyl mercury, and this either makes its way up the food chain through plankton, or is absorbed through ttheir gills as they swim around.
Mercury in fish can also come from industrial activities, but this represents only a small portion of the mercury to be found in online seafood.
What level of mercury is safe to consume?
Our bodies are wonderful, specially designed toxin-excreting machines. The body is more complicated than pop science would have you believe -- mercury may even play a biological role of which we are not yet aware. Free radicals, after all, that bane of the pop science world, are vital to proper working of our immune system. It is perfectly safe to consume some level of mercury -- there's no need to forego eating online seafood completely.
For example…
Remember the Japanese, their diet high in fish and their incredible health? Well, the ocean sediment has contained just as much mercury or the past several hundred years as it does today, and the Japanese do not seem to suffer any ill effects from this. The key is to balance out your fish consumption between species higher up the food chain with those lower down, which contain less mercury.
How much is enough?
Eating one serving of carnivorous fish a week, like shark, swordfish or barramundi is not considered harmful at all. Other fish typically contain almost no mercury -- there is no restriction placed on the amount of salmon eaten, even by pregnant women, for example. Young children should avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin, but can safely eat other fish from seafood orders at least twice a week.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

5 Delicious and Traditional Sauces for Your Seafood Order

The beginning of a wonderful meal is a fresh, succulent seafood order. After that, the niceties are negotiable! Seafood is excellent with simple sauces, like a concoction of flour, butter and white wine, but every culture has put its own stamp on local seafood, usually in sauce form! Today we are discussing several traditional sauce recipes for your fresh seafood order from around the globe; easy inspiration for tonight's dinner.
If you’re familiar with making white sauce or béchamel sauce for use in lasagne, vegetable bakes or a hundred other dishes, this sauce will be a snap. Instead of milk, as in white sauce, it uses fish stock and white wine. There is also some salt in this recipe -- white sauce is usually too bland to benefit from salting.
Chimichurri is a traditional sauce from Argentina, and always uses parsley, oregano and garlic, three herbs and flavors that you are likely to have just lying around in the fridge and pantry. The accessibility of the ingredients makes this a popular sauce -- it is great with online seafood like swordfish steaks, salmon and mahi mahi.
The mouth waters … this recipe tastes like saffron and mustard and is used as a dipping sauce for shrimp online seafood orders, mostly. It is also delicious with crabs and scallops, and anything you would eat on a seafood platter.
If you weren't hungry before you started reading this article, I certainly hope you are now! If not, you have tastebuds of stone. Spanish allioli, or simply aioli, is made with heaps of garlic and olive oil, traditionally ground with a mortar and pestle. You can simply buy aioli in a bottle, or take the easy way out and use a blender. Egg yolks provide an amazing richness -- this is wonderful with pasta seafood orders, like lobster or shrimp ravioli.
Fish-based dishes dominate in Thailand, where people traditionally work the land for a living. Many are close to the coast and they often have to actually catch their own food. Lemongrass and ginger create a very distinctive taste accompaniment to your online seafood, and if you have a miniature food processor, it takes almost no time to whip up.