Author Archives: Vanda Lewis

seafood sightings

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Soft-shell crab season is underway! The shedding cycle is from May through September so feast on them before it’s over. Below are recipe links for these delightful crustaceans.

Soft-shell crabs

• Mariner’s Menu has a recipe for sautéed soft-shell crabs with lime mayonnaise: http://marinersmenu.org/2010/05/28/sauteed-soft-shell-crabs-with-lime-mayonnaise/

• News and Observer shares pan-fried soft-shell crabs with warm bacon and tomato vinaigrette: http://www.newsobserver.com/cgi-bin/nao/lifestyles/food_fitness/recipes/show_recipe.cgi?id=595&template=template.html

• News 14 Carolina’s Chef Dan Eaton serves up panko-crusted soft-shell crabs: http://coastal.news14.com/content/597305/panko-crusted-soft-shell-crab

Even Magnolia Grill, a Durham, N.C., restaurant that is closing at the end of the month is serving soft crabs. Check out Debbie Moose’s blog about her meal at this award-winning establishment: http://www.debbiemoose.com/wordpress/?p=1507.

seafood sightings

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Seafood markets now have a nice selection of hard blue crabs, soft crabs, shrimp, flounder and bluefish – just to name a few!

Blue crab shedder operation

• Mariner’s Menu has a recipe for grilled soft shell crabs: http://marinersmenu.org/2011/05/13/the-crab-that-lost-its-shell/

• WECT TV 6 cooks up shrimp over linguini: http://www.wect.com/story/17145435/shrimp-fra-diavlo-served-over-linguini

• Our State Magazine takes a seafood tour along the coast: http://www.ourstate.com/seafood-tour-southern-coast/; http://www.ourstate.com/seafood-tour-crystal-coast/; http://www.ourstate.com/seafood-tour-outer-banks/

• News 14 Carolina features fish tacos and pan-seared red snapper: http://coastal.news14.com/content/cooking/lets_cook/656884/fish-tacos;
  http://coastal.news14.com/content/cooking/lets_cook/656601/pan-seared-red-snapper-with-jicama-and-orange-salad

• Whole Foods Market North Raleigh’s cooking coach, Mike Davis, shares black rice with sweet potato and scallions that would go great alongside your favorite fish: http://northraleigh.wholefoodsmarketcooking.com/recipes/12870_black_rice_with_sweet_potato_and_scallions

* Remember, availability of particular species will vary based on regulations, season and even changing weather. Thus if the named fish or shellfish is not in your market, ask for another local one that would be similar in texture and flavor — make it your own “catch of the day”!