Fish - fresh
Once upon a time, fishmongers would cut fish to order from whole fish, so the customer could be sure, by the clarity of its eyes, the firmness of flesh and the color of its gills, of the freshness of the fish. These days, with fish ready-filleted, its freshness is anyone's guess. If in doubt, ask to sniff the piece before you buy. But there are some sources more reliable for supplies of good, fresh fish than others.
Rick Stein, James Beard award winner and longtime PBS show host, has a fine new book, Complete Seafood, with more than 150 recipes and 550 step-by-step photographs that will take any fear out of cooking fish.
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Seared Salmon and Romaine Heart Salad - 12 Aug 2008
If you're looking for a change from the ubiquitous Chicken Caesar Salad, this salmon dish from Peggy Thompson, chef of DISH, makes an elegant and satisfying lunch at any time of the year aor a refreshing main course for a summer dinner. read more...
Scallop Boudin with Citrus Compote and Fennel Purée - 5 Aug 2008
This is a dish from Peter Smith, owner-chef of PS7's, designed to impress. But if you take it slowly and carefully it isn't as hard to produce as it may at first appear. The purée and the compote can be finished ahead of time and the boudin taken right up to the moment of poaching. read more...
Grilled Mediterranean Sardines with Lemon and Olive Persillade - 27 May 2008
Now we're moving into grilling season, try this recipe of Danny Wells, chef at BlackSalt. Serve them with crusty fresh bread warm from the oven. The persillade is delicious over broiled chicken or lamb, too. read more...
Fish Mappas - 4 Apr 2008
The flavor of this Indian fish recipe from Nilesh Singhvi, chef of The Bombay Club, is layered with different spices but its heat level is mellowed by coconut milk. Reduce it even further, if you wish, by cutting back on the chilis. read more...
Maxim's Supermarket* - 31 Mar 2008
There's no shortage of Oriental and Asian markets in the area. But some of them offer a little extra. At Maxim's, it's the take-out food counter. It's packed with dishes some of which you need to be a little adventurous to try, like tripe, and various parts of the inner pig that look like Captain Davy Jones' face in 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. But there's also a wonderful stewed pork picnic cut that's been marinated and slow-cooked until it's almost purple which wouldn't upset the most conservative eater. And there are noodles and vegetable dishes, along with fried fish and chicken dishes that would frighten no-one. $4.25 buys you your choice of three dishes for a take-out meal in a box. read more...
Eden Center unscrambled - 22 Mar 2008
If you want a trip to Vietnam without leaving the area, head out to the Eden Center on Wilson Boulevard at Seven Corners, just before Route 50 and Route 7 intersect. You won't hear English spoken. The music blaring from the outdoor speakers comes from a local Vietnamese radio station. It's packed with Vietnamese tailors, jewelers, video stores, Chinese medicine practitioners and more. This is the list of food-related outlets, to eat at or to buy ingredients for your home-cooked Vietnamese feast. read more...
Roasted Cod with Sauteed and Braised Sunchokes - 13 Feb 2008
Christophe Marque, chef of Cafe du Parc's recipe doesn't have to be limited to the winter season when sunchokes are in the markets. Substitute young potatoes for these gnarled roots and the recipe extends through the year. read more...
Eastern Market - 4 Jan 2008
Eastern Market is recovering after the fire that devastated it last spring. For the fullest detail of the different food stall owners back operating there, click on this really informative link from Brendan Spiegel of the blog, endlesssimmer.com. read more...
Ikura - 28 Nov 2007
The glowing bright orange 'caviar' beads used in sushi called ikura is the roe of the orange shum salmon. read more...
Sushi ingredients - 27 Nov 2007
It's hard to avoid boxes of sushi at every supermarket. But some is better than others and some boxes don't have quite the assortment you want. read more...
Lobsters live from Maine - 26 Nov 2007
Lobsters arrive fresh from Maine weekly in the Washington area. read more...
Oriental & South East Asian markets - 26 Nov 2007
There is no shortage of Oriental and South East Asian supermarkets in the area. But some offer a little extra. read more...
Crabs & clams - 25 Nov 2007
Crabs and clams are a local treat worthy of serious foodie consideration. Where to observe - and experience the treat. read more...
Anchovies - 23 Nov 2007
One of the most unpopular fishes, anchovies are nevertheless the culinary equivalent of the Wonderbra. They add body to any dish and most opponents don't even know they're there if they can't see them. read more...
Tuna ventresca - 23 Nov 2007
Tuna ventresca is the Ferrari of canned tuna to the jalopy of regular canned tuna. read more...
Shrimp - 22 Nov 2007
Shrimp are ubiquitous, in every stage and form from fresh to cooked, whole and beheaded. read more...
New Orleans-style Barbecue Shrimp - 19 Nov 2007
This is a dish to impress from Jeff Tunks, owner-chef of Acadiana that's not hard to prepare, and a good deal can be done ahead of time. read more...
Wild Chesapeake Rockfish with Lemongrass Broth and Shiitake Mushrooms - 18 Nov 2007
You don't need to be a master chef to make this elegant dish from Rob Klink, chef of Oceanaire Seafood Room. The broth can be finished ahead of time, and with a final 10 minutes to saute the fish and mushrooms, it can star at any dinner party without driving the cook into a frenzy. read more...
Fish - fresh or not so fresh? - 17 Nov 2007
Once upon a time, fishmongers would cut fish to order from whole fish, so the customer could be sure, by the clarity of its eyes, the firmness of flesh and the color of its gills, of the freshness of the fish. Not any longer. read more...
Stir-fried Scallops and Shiitake Mushrooms with Gingered Grits and Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette - 17 Nov 2007
When John Wabeck was chef of Firefly before moving on to New Heights, this was one of his most popular main courses. The Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette, which can be used as a dressing for other things, like a young-spinach salad, may be made ahead. Once you have the ingredients assembled, it's a smooth process to produce the dish. read more...
Sautéed Shrimp with Cannellini Beans - 16 Nov 2007
Shrimp and cannellini beans make a surprising and successful combination in this quickly cooked recipe from Savino Recine, owner-chef of Primi Piatti, a man who believes in providing richness in taste without resorting to unhealthy dairy products. read more...
Quesadilla de Camaron (Shrimp Quesadillas) - 10 Nov 2007
You could make the different elements of Joe Raffa, chef of Oyamel's easily-prepared recipe ahead of time and only toast the tortillas at the last minute. It would turn it into a dish you could serve at a large party. read more...
Fricassée Catalane - 10 Nov 2007
Looking for a dish for friends that's a little different? Here's one you can put together at the very last minute if you've prepared the ingredients ahead of time. It comes from French chef Bernard Grenier, owner-chef of Bistro D'Oc. read more...
Slow Roasted Halibut with Potato-Mushroom Hash - 9 Nov 2007
The technique for keeping a piece of halibut succulent and juicy after cooking that Barton Seaver, owner-chef of Hook, reveals in this recipe can be applied to any firm-fleshed white fish. The trick is in that water-filled pan of water. read more...
Cod with Coconut Milk - 9 Nov 2007
When Bernard Marchive was chef of Pesce, he cooked this very simple recipe for cod or other firm white fish. Given he's French, its Asian twist comes as a surprise. read more...
Shrimp with Garlic and Chilies - 6 Nov 2007
If you're looking for a dish that will spark interest in your guests yet only take minutes to produce, this mildly spicy (you're in control) Indian recipe from Chris Payton, owner, and Casey McQueen, co-chefs of the Curry Club's recipe could be it. read more...
Chesapeake crabs - shell shucked - 4 Nov 2007
The 2,300 square miles of the Chesapeake Bay make an exceptional breeding ground for fish and crabs. read more...
Sushi and sashimi explained - 4 Nov 2007
Confused about the difference between sushi and sashimi? This is it. read more...
Smoked salmon - 2 Nov 2007
There's more to smoked salmon than some of those coral-pink plastic packets provide. read more...
Halibut with Fanny Bay Oysters, Sauternes and Blood Orange Reduction - 8 Oct 2007
The secret of this recipe from Yannick Cam, owner-chef of Le Paradou, is in balancing the tartness of the citrus fruits against the unctuousness of the Sauternes and the butter in the sauce, then serving it with fish of prime freshness. read more...
Peggy Thompson, chef at DISH, worked as a meeting planner before going to culinary school. Boredom inspired her to start a new career, and through it she found more than just good food.
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