Scallops

We are wrapping up National Seafood Month with a brief look atone  of one of my very favorites - scallops. This turns out to be most fortune on my part as they seem to be among one of the most sustainable choices.

What Are Scallops?

Scallops are a type of bivalve mollusk, meaning the interior muscle is surrounded by two shells similarly to oysters, mussels, and clams. Inside the shell, scallops have a white adductor muscle (the part we to eat)  Scallops are called “hotate” when served in sushi.

Scallops Chuka Soba: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallop Tacos: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops with Pasta: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops and Broccoli Slaw: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops and Peppers: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops Stir-fry: photo by Cliff Hutson

Risotto alle capesante: photo by Cliff Hutson

Cooking Scallops

I find scallops easy to cook. And, as the above photographs illustrate, I have come up with more than one way to make a meal out of them. However, I can not offer any recipes as I am at a point in my life where I just throw things together. Nothing is ever written down, and what is supposed to be the same dish turns out a little different every time. But, I offer the following which seem pretty good:

Sustainable Seafood Recipe  "This recipe is "a nice combination of flavors and textures." 

GLOBAL CAT DAY & More Seafood

Global Cat Day

Cat Crossing: photo by Cliff Hutson

October 16 is Global Cat Day which recognizes the need to adopt and foster cats. There have been two official Hutson family cats - the late great Pumpkin (זצ״ל) and Mini, the patch cat. Both were rescues.

Pumpkin and Mini: photo by Cliff Hutson

My neighbor does not actually adopt feral cats, but she practices Trap-Neuter-Return which benefits both the individual cat and the environment.

Wall Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

Global Cat Day is also known as Feral Cat Day. Either way, it is a good day to reflect on how to help our furry neighbors. 

Neighborhood Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

Seafood

Lobster Tacos: photo by Cliff Hutson

My daughter and I met for dinner, this past Monday, at La Grande Orange Cafe in Pasadena, which led to a very fortunate National Seafood Month encounter. 

One of that night's specials was Lobster Tacos. Our server highly recommended this entree, but we were a bit leery - imagining some chopped up "lobster" in a taco shell. However, we both ordered it and were blown away by the dish. 

I guess that one could call it a deconstructed taco as what was placed before us was an actual lobster tail, with marvelous tortillas on the side. (Sadly, in my excitement, I neglected to include a tortilla in this photo.) Thus we I had to build my own tacos and enjoy one of the best meals that I ever had. 

Reading Log: September 2019 & Seafood

The books that I read in September 2019

September 2109 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Creative Spaces,” Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung

“The Life of Python,” George Perry

“How To,” Randall Munroe

“How to Change Your Mind,” Michael Pollan

“Land of Wolves,” Craig Johnson

“Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches,” Marvin Harris

It is National Seafood Month

October is National Seafood Month. While anytime is a good time for seafood, this is a propitious opportunity to celebrate the sustenance provided by the sea and also make an extra effort to enjoy seafood. Just keep these three tips in mind:

1. Purchase sustainable seafood.

2. Shop in season.

3. Try something new.

Lionfish: photo by Cliff Hutson

Here is another way that you can participate.

Breaded Fish with Salad: photo by Cliff Hutson