Seafood

So living in Texas does not do much for my seafood habit. Growing up in NY and vacationing every summer in Rhode Island, I developed a deep love for seafood. Clams: whole belly, on the half shell. Oysters. Calamari. Lobster: steamed, stuffed, rolls. Scallops. Cod. Flounder. Mahi Mahi. Tuna. Sea Bass. Red Snapper.

OK. I'll stop now. I'm drooling onto my computer. But as you can see I have a deep love (or some might say obsession) for seafood. Unfortunately, there are no fresh seafood stores in Texas. Or at least where I live. So when I need a seafood fix I have to buy it at the seafood counter of the grocery store, usually frozen. It makes me sad. Very, very sad.

A few weeks ago I had a craving for seafood and gave in and bought some of the frozen stuff. I found two recipes on the Food Network that looked good and tried them out.

Steamed Mussels by Bobby Flay was the first. I did not have shallots, so I substituted onions. I also did not have tarragon, so I used dried marjoram. (Always use less if you're substituting dried herbs for fresh herbs. They are much stronger.) I thought this recipe was good, but not great. I've had some mussel broths that are so delicious I want to lick the bottom of the bowl. This was not one of them. However, it was quick and tasty and did the trick.

Next, I tried Scallops Provencal by the Barefoot Contessa. Again I substituted shallots with onions. I never have shallots in the house. I made some spaghetti and served the seafood over it. I thought this recipe was yummy. The sauce thickened up nicely and it made enough that I could heat leftovers up the next day for lunch.

I must say though- I am counting down the days until I'm back in the northeast with fresh seafood. It makes a WORLD of difference. Excuse me while I go dream of lobster rolls and clams on the half shell...