![Salmon Baked in Papillote with Dill & Thyme]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Feb 24, 2013 | American, Cooking Techniques & Kitchen Tips, Fish & Seafood, French, Recipes, Scandinavian
Salmon is one of the easiest types of fish to make on a regular basis. It’s thick texture stays together nicely when cooking, so whether you’re frying, grilling or baking it, it tends to stay together really well. This is great news for novice cooks or those who are a little intimidated to cook fish at all. And winter is a great time to have salmon because it’s super high in Vitamin D.
If you watch enough of the news or programs like the Dr. Oz Show, you’ve probably already seen recent reports that so many people are low in the ever important Vitamin D that protects our bodies and our immune systems from all types of diseases. (more…)
![Homemade Fish Sticks]()
by Yvonne | Jan 6, 2012 | American, Fish & Seafood, Kid-Friendly
I was never a fan of frozen food as a kid. I could always tell if something came from a box because the taste was just nothing like mom made. For some reason, they were never filling enough, either.
Delicious fish sticks you can make at home (more…)
![Good Eats in San Diego]()
by Yvonne | Oct 25, 2010 | Restaurant Reviews, TRAVEL, USA
I recently had a wonderful five day trip to one of my favorite places in the world: La Jolla, California.
In between preparing to cater an at-home pre-wedding dinner I still managed to visit a couple of really great restaurants for their super fresh seafood.
Granted, I visited the same digs on my last visit to La Jolla two years ago, but this time I was able to nab some really great photos to share with all of you, because I only re-visit restaurants I’m really impressed with.
The restaurants featured in the photos below are just two of my favorites in the area, so at the end of this post I provide information and links to other restaurants, halal meat markets visited as well as favorite hotels and gift shops in the La Jolla-San Diego area.
Roberto’s Taco Shop is in Mission Beach, California at 3202 Mission Blvd (between Mission Bay Dr & Ventura Pl) in San Diego, CA 92109 Tel. (858) 488-1610
This tiny taco place is a real beach-goers dive. Passersby include tourists and locals alike, especially surfers. It’s literally a block from the Pacific Ocean so you’re bound to see people headed to and from the beachfront location. Skateboards and rollerblades are common methods of transportation here.
Roberto’s is open late and the night time crowd does attract a younger, more robust clientele so if that’s not for you, just try to get there during the day. Take your tacos outside for some real people-watching. It’s a sport at this corner.
Now, the reason we’re talking about this place: the food. Of course the meats are not (dhabiha) halal, so I obviously chose the fish tacos. I say, since you’re so close to the ocean, this is the place to get ’em, regardless.
They do serve tacos, burritos and dinner plates that come with rice and beans. The seafood items include camarones (shrimp) or pescado (fish), which is breaded and fried crispy. On a taco, which is how I ordered it, it comes with lettuce, tomato and onion. Simple- you can taste the fish. Then, decide which of the many types of salsas you’d like to pour on top.
The frijoles (beans) that come on the dinner plate are made with aceite vegetal (vegetable oil), so no need to worry about manteca (lard) being used in the cooking. The staff speaks English, so don’t be intimidated by the authenticity of flavors, smells and sights. It’s worth the adventure outside one’s comfort zone.
Fish Tacos at Roberto’s Taco Shop: Doubling up on the Tortillas
The next place on my list of Good Eats San Diego is Crab Catcher in the coastal town of La Jolla, just a few minutes north of Mission Beach. Follow the coastline and you’ll head right into the heart of downtown La Jolla. Park your car and walk along the main strip. Nestled inside of what looks like an outdoor plaza, you’ll see stores and restaurants with their fronts facing the street and their backs facing the ocean- for your viewing pleasure. Crab Catcher is just one of those places with one of the best views in town. Dine at sunset and ask for a window view. This could be what you enjoy with your food:
I’ve eaten there for appetizers, dessert and lunch so I can honestly say that not only are the views breathtaking, the food is fresh and flavorful. The staff is highly professional and caters to their customers’ needs. I like that it has the whole package. It’s as though they understand everyone’s excitement and attention towards the Pacific, leaving windows open to waft in the smell of salty ocean air mixed with scented pine from the trees brushing up against the building. What could be nicer?
Calamari Steak Sandwich at Crab Catcher
My lunch was a really unique (to me) calamari steak sandwich served inside a hearty bread on a bed of lettuce, tomato and flavored mayo. On the side came a fresh cabbage slaw salad and a choice of either blue cheese red potatoes or Parmesan fries. I felt physically satisfied by the food and emotionally, if not spiritually satisfied by the experience of the place. Just being there was calming and refreshing at once, simply to be surrounded by the beauty and splendor of the place.
Potato sides at Crab Catcher, La Jolla
Crab Catcher is located at (858) 454-9587 • 1298 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Desserts at Crab Catcher, La Jolla
San Diego is no small city and there are scores of amazing things to do and see there. This post is just an overview of my multiple short, but memorable experiences there. Below are a few additional recommendations and tips based on those past trips. I hope they’ll help you find a good time, too.
Halal Meat & Grocery
North Park Produce is located at 3551 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego, CA 92104-1548. Tel. (619) 516-3336. Large selection of meats, produce and prepared foods.
Additonal Restaurants
Roppongi Sushi
- Incredibly fresh sushi
- Warm edamame is a great appetizer
- Eat outside at night for a lovely fireside ambiance
Must-Sees
Old-Town San Diego
- Wonderful Mexican food
- Artist lovers will find interesting handicrafts. I personally love the pottery shops
- Festivals at select times of the year
Coronado Island– take a drive to this small island if you have even just a couple extra hours
- Watch surfers ride the waves at some of the local beaches
- Get ice cream or have lunch at a nearby cafe
- Visit the Hotel del Coronado to see one of the world’s finest hotels
Shopping and walking around La Jolla
- At La Jolla Cove- watch sea lions, kayakers, swimmers and snorkelers or participate in water activities yourself
Drive out to Del Mar
- About a 10-minute drive from La Jolla. Follow the coastline north for one of the most spectacular ocean drives in California. Park your car and walk or jog along the beach just north of the center of town.
- For an eclectic overnight stay in Del Mar, I love Les Artistes Inn. My personal favorite is the Japanese room, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Don’t forget to check out their gardens in the back- it’s a good sampling of the amazing foliage that grows in the area and probably the closest experience to actually living there as possible.
Hotels
La Jolla Inn
- My favorite hotel in town. I’m definitely a repeat customer
- Excellent rooftop breakfast included with hotel stay
- Quiet area, feels private
- Top-notch customer service that makes you feel personally taken care of
- Small convenient store attached to the hotel just in case you forget anything or just want a local newspaper with your breakfast
La Jolla Cove Suites
- Breathtaking balcony room views
- Top-notch breakfast scenery on the hotel’s rooftop (food is standard continental breakfast fare)
- Some rooms have kitchenettes
- Wedding receptions can be planned to take place on the roof
- Rooms near the north end of the hotel will often come with the sound of barking sea lions…for much of the night (which can be a little annoying if you want total quiet).
But of course, this is what everyone comes here to see:
![Parsley-Stuffed Red Snapper]()
by Yvonne | Apr 10, 2009 | Fish & Seafood, Summer
It’s hard to imagine being in the mood for whole fish, but if you live as close as I do to some spectacular indoor fish markets, it just might happen.
When I’m in the mood for fish of any sort, I head out to the Super H Market, an Asian mega store that has become my favorite spot for locating exotic fruits, vegetables and herbs, fresh sushi and live fish from all over the world. They sell exotic seafare like live conch, snails and even eel. It’s no surprise that people of all ethnicities shop there for the freshest fish in town, and probably for miles.
Last week I had a fish craving, but wasn’t sure exactly what type I needed to satisfy my yearning to eat healthy and light. I decided it would be whatever looked fresh at the market, which turned out to be the bright-eyed red snapper. Nearly every one of its kind was clear-eyed, didn’t smell ‘fishy’, and its skin bounced back to the touch- all of the key elements to selecting fresh, quality fish. I decided to take only two small ones and head back to the produce department to find what I needed for the herb stuffing, remembering a recipe taught by an old friend years ago. The taste of that fish dinner was coming back to me and I couldn’t wait to get home to re-create it all these years later.
I asked the fishmonger to remove the fins, gills and anything sharp that I didn’t know about or couldn’t remove myself. I wanted an open cavity in the belly of my fish for the stuffing. My fishmonger wouldn’t de-bone this fish, so I knew eating was going to be a challenge, so make sure yours if he will do this for you– and then go back to him frequently, as you won’t find too many who will take the time to do this!
To make the stuffing, you will need:
- Approximately 1/2 bunch of flat parsley
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt, to taste
Next, you have two options:
You can either sauté the onions in olive oil, then add the garlic and parsley, or you can simply leave it uncooked. I have tried it both ways and can tell you that my personal preference is to fry the mixture. It simply has more taste done this way, but some people prefer not to fry because they know the fish is going to be fried and it’s also a semi-oily fish itself. If you decide to fry the mixture, just be sure to let it cool for a few minutes before stuffing.
Finishing:
When you’re ready to stuff the cavity of the fish, have your cooking twine measured and scissors ready to do the task of tying up the fish in preparation for frying. Once you’re ready to fry, be sure the fish is dry. Good quality paper towels patting both sides well should do the trick.
Using about 1-2 tablespoons
olive oil per fish, place fish flat into the oil. If you like, you can add lemon rounds to the top of your fish, sliding them right under the twine.
Let the fish fry on a medium-high flame for anywhere from 4-6 minutes. DO NOT FLIP! Remember this well: “If you flip (too early, that is), you will rip (the fish)!”
Cover and place the fish in a 350° oven for approximately 10-15 minutes, watching carefully that it is not drying out.
When done, remove but leave the lid on for a couple of minutes to retain moisture.
I was in the mood for a light dinner, so I served my fish with a simple salad of butter lettuce and radish sprouts that I got from the Asian market. They were delicious! My homemade dressing was light and simple and because of the vinegar, it helped to cut the ‘grease’, so to speak, of my oily fish.
Simple Salad Dressing:
- 1 part olive oil
- 2 parts apple cider vinegar
- kosher or sea salt
- black pepper or dry parsley flakes, but not both
Mix, shake and serve.
Copyright © 2008-2009 My Halal Kitchen. All rights reserved. The information contained in this blog may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of My Halal Kitchen.
![TUNA BURGERS]()
by Yvonne | Feb 1, 2009 | Appetizers & Snacks, Fish & Seafood, FOOD, Sandwiches & Burgers
I just love fish. But, fish is a precarious food. It has to be fresh from the sea or freshly packed, or not served at all, in my opinion.
Although I’m not a fan of any canned food, I have to say that canned tuna and salmon really do save the day-and save you the guilt of feeling like you’re eating unhealthy. They should be canned when fresh, preserving that freshness, and when canned in olive oil you can get even more health benefits otherwise just purchase tuna or salmon in water.
The recipe below is not for your typical tuna fish sandwich; it’s for a Mediterranean style fish pattie whose preparation method is so similar to the way us Sicilians flatten, dip in egg, bread and pan-fry everything from eggplant and zucchini to chicken, veal, lean beef and fish. The only difference with this dish is that you really only need one mixing bowl to mix up all the ingredients that you would normally include in separate steps for the others I mentioned.
The best thing about this recipe is that it is so quick to make. I had a few friends over for lunch recently and actually asked one of them to make the patties so she could learn hands-on how it was done- and how quick and easy preparation was.
I served the lunch patties with an accompanying soup, salad, a cheese plate, roasted vegetables and pita bread. At dinner, I made them again later as an accompaniment to my chicken & rice soup and a hefty ciabatta bread bun. Yumm!
TUNA BURGERS | My Halal Kitchen
Below is a recipe for four people (8 patties). Just imagine the wonderful varieties of your favorite breads you could serve it on- or none at all- just get some big, bright and beautiful lettuce leaves to wrap them. You might also want to add avocado, oh yum. I also love a dollop of hot sauce on top, just sayin’. I’ll stop here.
[yumprint-recipe id=’130′]
