Flag Day and Gelato

Flag Day and Gelato

Flag Day and Gelato

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

There have since been 27 official versions of the flag, according to the Library of Congress. The last change was made on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state. The thirteen stripes are emblems of the thirteen British colonies that announced independence from Great Britain in 1776. The fifty stars represent the states in America.

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the official “flag of the United States of America” with its popular nicknames such as:

– Stars and Stripes
– Old Glory
– The Star Spangled Banner
– The Red, White and Blue

Flag Day and Gelato

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Halibut, Farro, Creamy Colorful Vegetable Salad

Halibut over Creamy Farro Vegetable SaladPan-Seared Kodiak Alaska Halibut
Farro, Watermelon Radish, Carrot, Cucumber
Mexican Crema Dressing

When Captain John Skeele gets his way, he likes to fry his halibut. John thinks that frying naturally complements halibut’s texture and locks in its flavor.

So if the captain of Alaska Fishing Vessel “Sunfish” says this is the way he likes to cook halibut, I am definitely going to give it a try.

Captain John Skeele’s Halibut Technique

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Socca (savory chickpea pancake)

Socca (savory chickpea pancakes)

Socca (savory chickpea pancake)

Topped with a Salad of Spring Lettuce
Egg, Feta, Radish, Chili, Olives, Dill, Lemon, Tahini Sauce

Socca, a savory chickpea pancake, is known as Nice’s original street food. Often served au naturel in Provence, cut into shards as snack, pleasantly with a glass of chilled rosé. Socca can also be served with all kinds of toppings for a delightful lunch. It is usually baked on a large round flat copper pan in a wood-burning oven.

In this recipe, nontraditional cumin and smoked paprika added to the batter mimic the smokiness of a wood-burning oven. And a non-stick skillet on the stovetop stands in for the copper pan and makes cooking the socca a breeze.

Socca As A Snack with Rosé

Socca as a snack with Rosé

Socca Recipe

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Salmon Sashimi, Dry Ice Display

Salmon Sashimi, Dry Ice Display

Salmon Sashimi, Dry Ice Display

Our monthly seafood subscription from Alaska arrives in a smart environmentally responsible box. Shipped to us in Las Vegas, the fillets have always been rock-hard and frozen-solid due to the great packaging using -110°F dry ice.

When the box arrives, it always has a few small slabs of dry ice still intact. It was fun to use the remaining dry ice to present a piece of the fabulous Alaska sockeye salmon served sashimi style.

Salmon SashimiSockeye Salmon Sashimi
Garlic, Shallot, Olive Oil
Chili Crunch, Edamame, Tamari, Lemon
Smoked Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

Since dry ice must be used soon after delivery, defrost a beautiful piece of sockeye using the “quick-thaw” method. Keep fish in the vacuum-sealed packaging, place it is another ziplock baggie in case there are any pinholes in the packaging.  Submerge it in cold ice water, flip the fish over every 30 minutes or so. Depending on the thickness it might take 45 – 75 minutes to thaw. It is easier to slice the fish if it is not totally defrosted.

Remove skin and pin bones from the salmon and slice sashimi style. Arrange on a piece of slate chosen to fit over the dry ice display. Serve with chili crunch, edamame, and tamari in small bowls on the side. Also place lemon wedges and smoked Maldon sea salt flakes for serving, on the platter.

Finally, when ready to display, drizzle olive oil down the middle of the salmon and top with thinly sliced shallot and minced garlic. Orchids make a nice presentation too, while edible, they are here mainly for show.

Dry Ice Display

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Alaska Sablefish, Two Ways

Alaska Sablefish

Alaska Sablefish, Two Ways

Crispy-Skin Sablefish, Spicy Garlic Mayonnaise
Sautéed Kale with Yukon Gold Potatoes

Alaska Sablefish with Miso

Broiled Miso Sablefish over Lemon Ponzu Olive Oil
Grated Daikon, Lemon, Chives

This glorious sablefish was caught by Alaskan Fishing Vessel F/V Alitak. A simple preparation with a minimum of ingredients lets the silky-rich texture and buttery flavor shine through.

Found only in the Northern Pacific Ocean, Sablefish aka Black Cod is relatively abundant and harvested with methods that cause little damage to habitat and other marine life. For both taste and sustainability, sablefish can’t be beat!

Pan-seared to achieve a crispy skin, or broiled to achieve a caramelized crust – each of these sablefish preparations are equally stellar.

Alaska Sablefish Recipes

Glacier Bay, Alaska
Glacier Bay, Alaska

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