Ten Top Reasons for Eating Fresh Salmon

 

10.   Salmon’s availability is assured!  You can find fresh salmon whenever you want it. You can buy salmon any day of the year.  For the best fresh salmon, order on line and get it overnight anywhere in the U.S. 

9.    Great recipes for salmon abound.  Salmon’s taste and cooking properties make it popular with chefs across the globe.  For example, you can go Asian and grill some fresh salmon steaks with teriyaki.  Or you may opt to serve something more tropical, like baked salmon fillets with a mango chili salsa.  For ideas from appetizers to main dishes and soups, see the Salmon Recipe Collection by Lynn Salmon (yup, that’s her name!). 

8    Salmon is so adaptable!  You can use various cooking methods for your salmon, which you can cook whole, as steaks, or as fillets.  Grill it, bake it, flake it, or kebab it.  You can buy salmon already prepared or do it yourself just the way you like it.

7.    Salmon is great value for the money.  Compared to beef or pork, salmon, as with other fish, offer incredible food value per dollar.  Waste is minimal (as is clean up, which is another benefit!).

6.    Salmon is beautiful!  The rosy pink hues of salmon stimulate the eye and the appetite.  When you want to make a gorgeous presentation, accentuate the gorgeous color of the salmon by choosing side dishes and plates that create a festival of colors.

5.  Salmon is good for you.  Of course you already knew this!  When you eat salmon, you are enjoying a delicious source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.  (And you don’t need to tell the kids!)

4.  Salmon can help you think better. One of the most noted benefits of salmon is its highly unsaturated oils called omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Among the health benefits of a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are improved ability to concentrate.

3.  Salmon can help you feel better.  The Omega 3s have also been shown to help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

2.  Salmon might even help you live longer.  Those Omega 3 fats are thought to help keep the heart healthy by lowering the likelihood of blood clots and improve blood flow.  It’s not surprising so many physicians recommend that we eat more fish!

1.         Salmon tastes terrific!  So many times the best tasting foods are the ones we should avoid--but not in the case of salmon!  You can enjoy your fresh salmon totally guilt free.  Plus you can serve salmon knowing that everyone will love it.  So relax and enjoy your salmon!

Dungeness Crab and Artichokes: Unbeatable Dip Duo

If you are looking for a luscious dip for the office potluck or even a romantic dinner for two, try either (or both!) of these well tested recipes using fresh Dungeness crab and artichoke hearts.

These fabulous crustaceans from the waters of the Pacific get a “sustainable” rating from Seafood Watch, so you can indulge to your heart’s content. The earthy taste of artichokes is a perfect foil for the sweet taste of fresh Dungeness crab, especially when melded in a creamy cheese base.



Hot Dungeness – Artichoke Dip

 For the luxurious blend of artichokes and Dungeness crab, you’ll never go wrong with this easy crockpot recipe. Mix in a medium size bowl these ingredients:

• 1 cup of cooked Dungeness crab meat
• 14 ounces artichoke heart quarters, drained and chopped
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice

Pour ingredients into a well-oiled 2-1/2 quart crockpot (non-stick cooking spray works great). Cover; cook on low for 60 minutes or on high for 30 minutes. Stir the mixture until the cheese is smooth. Turn crockpot to low, then put on serving table (watch the cord, please). Serve with pita wedges or your favorite crackers.


Baked Spicy Dungeness Crab and Artichoke Dip with Crostini


When you want to create a special presentation, try this baked fresh Dungeness crab dip. Get your fresh crabmeat from your favorite seafood market and grab a crusty baguette from the French bakery and enjoy! This recipe makes approximately one cup—and it can be doubled easily.


Prepare the dip by mixing the following well in a medium bowl:

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 4 ounces fresh Dungeness crabmeat
• 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, fresh and grated finely
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or regular salt)

Lightly butter two half-cup ramekins and fill with the crab mixture. (Tip: Do this in advance, then refrigerate until ready to bake so that it is served hot.) Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until bubbly and beginning to brown. Serve on plate with pate knife and a host of crostini slices.


More recipes: When you are ready for more Dungeness crab recipes, check out this site from the Pacific Northwest, where they know crab! Also keep in mind that you can buy fresh lobster or pre-cooked.


Do-It-Yourself Crostini: Making your own crostini is simple. Slice a baguette thinly on an angle, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with fresh ground pepper, and toast lightly both sides. You can substitute other toast or crackers as desired.