Fish Tales

Those who live in Florida, know it's quite common for sporadic waves of company to gravitate from the north to pay you a visit...especially family! You may think their primary reason, is to replace the bitter cold winter with blue skies, swaying palms, and lovely beaches. Some may even be suspicious enough to think that the fishermen in the group, may secretly wish for one fast and furious tropical storm, strong enough to churn up some great fish within the rushing currents!

Coming from a tight Italian family, the vacation perks of Florida are secondary. When the family comes south, the first thing we look forward to is connecting in person, catching up with each other, and sharing some good meals!

In the last two weeks, I've had visits from not only Mama Melisi and Ray, but Diane and Frank...my sister and brother-in-law...and later, my cousin, Cathy. The consensus on meals throughout the two weeks was everyone wanted "good fish". So, we ditched cooking in, and made the seafood circuit of some of the nicest establishments along Fort Lauderdale Beach.

When I say we had fish, we ate everything from shrimp, scallops, mussels, sole, salmon, grouper, mahi, swordfish, tuna...and that ever-delicious ugly fish...chilean sea bass! Each restaurant offered its own unique preparation...grilled, blackened, broiled, poached...and the ambiance included anything from classical piano notes to island steel drum floating through the airwaves!

I think the best excursion was to one of the oldest restaurants in the area. You had to take a little boat to the 80-year old hot spot. After docking, we saw in the distance two shack-like buildings...one marked "bar" and the other obviously the restaurant. Walking in, you couldn't help but notice the weather-beaten wooden booths and tables, with bare 60-watt bulbs dangling from above!

Our friendly waiter suggested the authentic hearts of palm salad to start, and a fine selection of wines to accompany your choice of fresh, local fish. Oddly, most of us ordered the yellow-tail snapper. Mama Melisi went healthy, and had hers made straight up...the rest of us gladly accepted the lemon piccata sauce with our fish. After driving cross town, and taking the little boat ride, we were all quite hungry!

Following our anxious wait, the waiter arrived with his sturdy, round, wooden serving platter. Arranged on plates were the snapper...and a sea of stiff tails sticking straight up and out of their asses! No one warned us that the tails would be in tact! If I had known that, I would have dropped a line out of their boat, and caught my own fish. At least I wouldn't be so startled!

Poor little fish...it actually looked like a fish when I was eating it! I felt like we were a family of bears in a wooden den, having a fiendish fish fest! After all was said and done, the only thing left on the plates were...the fish tails! And I must say, that was one delicious meal!

Sadly, the company all went home...and I am fished out...no more fish for a long time! However, since I didn't see you down here, you might want one of my favorite fish recipes from Mama Melisi...Salmon! It's quick, easy and delicious!

Once again, we offer it to you with love,

From Mama Melisi and Me

Salmon:

Ingredients:

4 Salmon Fillets
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Garlic Cloves
Black Pepper
Lemon Pepper
White Wine
Fresh Lemon
Parsley

Cooking Directions:

Heat olive oil in saute pan
Slice half an onion
Saute onion in olive oil until golden in color
Slice 3 fresh garlic cloves, and stir into olive oil until golden
Season salmon by sprinkling black pepper and lemon pepper
Place seasoned side down into pan and season other side
Cook on medium high heat for five minutes
Turn over and cook another five minutes
Add 1/4 cup white wine to pan
Squeeze fresh lemon and sprinkle parsley over salmon
Cover salmon and let sit for approximately 3 minutes
Check fish - if flaky, it's done!