MENU
Simple Himalayan Salt Block Salmon

Simple Himalayan Salt Block Salmon by John Spottiswood

My wife got me a Himalayan Salt Block to try grilling on this summer. We made our first attempt last night with salmon, trying it two ways. This is the first...a very simple effort and very delicious. My instinct with the salt block is that I am going to enjoy simple recipes the best, since they will allow the flavor of the salt…

4 votes
19480 views
Pasta with Cauliflower and Anchovy Sauce

Pasta with Cauliflower and Anchovy Sauce by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a wonderful, mild flavored pasta we've adapted from Marcella Hazan. I know it sounds like an odd combination of ingredients, but you should definitely try it. It's unlike any pasta you have likely eaten before, and it is quite tasty. We will definitely make it again. Serve with the roasted broccoli below for a nice…

5 votes
5673 views
Thai Basil & Curry Shrimp - Pattaya

Thai Basil & Curry Shrimp - Pattaya by John Spottiswood

This is a delicious curry flavored shrimp stir fry without a heavy curry sauce. The combination of curry and basil is really delicious. This is normally not served very spicy, but you can spice it up as much as you want.

4 votes
9554 views
Tuscan shrimp marinara with chickpea pasta

Tuscan shrimp marinara with chickpea pasta by John Spottiswood

This is a great Tuscan recipe adapted from the Flavors of Tuscan cookbook by Maxine Clark. Maxine recommends making fresh chickpea pasta. We use Barilla Plus pasta, which is made with chickpeas just like Maxine recommends. By skipping making your own pasta, this becomes a very easy and healthy dish.

3 votes
24802 views
Shrimp in Green Garlic Sauce

Shrimp in Green Garlic Sauce by John Spottiswood

Wow, this is a really powerful and delicious dish. If you are looking for subtle flavors, search elsewhere. But if you're in the mood for a garlicky, "must dip my bread in every last bit of that sauce", type of dish, you cannot beat this. I'll admit our kids are not normal, but all four of them downed these shrimp and were dipping…

5 votes
8536 views
Grilled Tuna Steaks over Arugula Salad

Grilled Tuna Steaks over Arugula Salad by John Spottiswood

I adapted this recipe from one in Cook's Illustrated and served it during a trip to San Luis Obispo with friends. The vinaigrette was fantastic and the technique for marinating the fennel bulb slices in the vinaigrette to soften it is definitely a keeper. You could try this with just about any fish with good results I think. I…

4 votes
4438 views
Greek Fish Soup Avgolemono

Greek Fish Soup Avgolemono by John Spottiswood

The Greeks supposedly invented fish stew and there are many versions of the dish. This version, which I adapted from a recipe in the Frugal Gourmet's Three Ancient Cuisines (a great book), is really phenomenal. We served this during a holiday party with greek salad and spanakopita. Friends of mine who have made regular chicken…

3 votes
5920 views
Asian-Style Grilled Black Bass

Asian-Style Grilled Black Bass by John Spottiswood

This fish is simply delicious. The flesh is like butter and the flavor is from heaven. I know that sounds extreme, but it's true. I was in Costco and the fresh fish counter had whole black bass. I'd never made it before, but the woman behind the counter said it is similar to yellowtail (hamachi) which is one of my favorites, so I…

5 votes
8707 views
swordfish piccata

swordfish piccata by Ted Brooks

Pan fried swordfish with a quick and delicious piccata sauce

2 votes
6716 views
Grilled Whole Salmon Indonesian Style

Grilled Whole Salmon Indonesian Style by John Spottiswood

This is an excellent and flavorful way to cook fish that I adapted from the Barbecue Bible. I had a large, whole salmon (not a smaller snapper or pompano as recommended), and was hoping the flavor would be strong enough to impact the Salmon. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! The fish came out delicious and my guests all asked me to…

5 votes
9187 views
Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce

Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce by Nancy Miyasaki

This is one of the recipes I remember most fondly from my childhood. It's a Chinese dish, and I'm of Japanese heritage, so my mom used a large fish fillet as opposed to a whole fish. I know it's probably delicious both ways, but this is a bit easier on the eyes! Season the fish just before cooking...don't marinate...or the fish…

5 votes
9909 views
Scallops in Scallion Nests

Scallops in Scallion Nests by John Spottiswood

This is an attractive, flavorful dish, ideal as the first course for an elegant dinner. The scallions, which are cooked briefly in boiling water and served with a mustard sauce, are fantastic. I adapted this recipe from Jacques Pepin. While I loved the presentation, and everyone at our dinner party seemed to enjoy it, I wasn't…

4 votes
5603 views
Broiled Asian Salmon with Scallions and Sesame

Broiled Asian Salmon with Scallions and Sesame by John Spottiswood

This is a delicious and flavorful dish. I'm always looking for new and innovative ways to cook salmon. This is a spicy take on the traditional teriyaki salmon, and the plating is beautiful. Given that it is a minor variation of a Bon Appetit recipe, it is also remarkably easy.

3 votes
6966 views
Grilled Salmon and Pineapple with Avocado salsa

Grilled Salmon and Pineapple with Avocado salsa by John Spottiswood

None of our kids thought they were going to like the grilled pineapple in this recipe, but they all ended up loving it and we had none left over! The avocado salsa is mild and complements the salmon nicely without over powering it. The dish is beautiful and would be good for entertaining, but the meal is also easy enough for a week…

1 vote
6884 views
Baccalà alla vicentina

Baccalà alla vicentina by Frank Fariello

Baccalà, or dried salt cod, is a favorite meal around our house, even if it only appears occasionally on the dinner table. One of the most delicious ways to make baccalà has got to be in the style of Vicenza, alla vicentina: slowly braised in milk flavored with a savory soffritto of garlic, onions and anchovies.

3 votes
4823 views