Chesapeake Bay Flounder

I went fishing with a friend to the Chesapeake Bay (at Snug Harbor) on a skiff on a hot, hot day this summer. We didn't hit any traffic there or back, thank goodness, and it was an ultimately successful day! 

 weights at the equipment rental shed

 the front of the little skiff

 our first catch! the crab was too small, so we threw it back.

 second catch! this is a Maryland blue crab

 it was SO ANGRY. we put it in the cooler with the baby crab before we threw them both back, but they had a constant face-off.

 third catch! another baby crab, so we threw it back also.

 final catch of the day! 17" flounder

 heading away from the island

 look at this guy... chin and tail hanging over the ends of the baking sheet

 I called a friend to help me fillet it quickly before Shabbat. I don't currently own a boning knife, so this was the best I had...

WARNING: The photos below show the fish cleaning and filleting process.

 revealing the heart and inner guts

 We turned the stomach inside out to see what it had just eaten. Turns out, it had eaten a baby Maryland blue crab! I heard a rumor (according to some ideas we threw around on Shabbat) that I could have eaten the crab, because it was caught inside the stomach of a kosher fish. Comment below with your thoughts!

 top fillet off, guts discarded

 flipped over and ready to cook!

I baked it in the oven at 375 for a few minutes and then took it out to rest. I seasoned it with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a little garlic. We had it as an appetizer for our Friday night meal and everyone had a bite or two. Of course, I snagged a cheek... Delicious!

Interested in portrait/landscape photography, tattoos, or industrial design? Check out my other blog!

Cedar-Smoked Fish Packets

I bought a pack of cedar wood grilling papers to try on a camping trip, but unfortunately, that didn't work out. Instead, I used them on my stovetop grill. I gathered the following ingredients:

-red snapper fillet

-fresh rosemary

-red onion

-zucchini

First, you will have to soak the papers (so they don't burn) and you will get a nice smoke.

 I sliced up the zuchini to fit better inside the packet.

Then I placed the fish on top. Next time I do this, I would marinate the fish in a light sauce, possibly olive oil, vinegar, and garlic. This time the fish was plain: I wanted to see how everything tasted with the cedar flavor.

 Next I placed a slice of red onion on top of the fish:

 Lastly, I put a sprig of fresh rosemary on the onion. Next time, I'll throw on some sea salt, pepper, and maybe a drizzle of olive oil.

 Then it was time to fold and tie up the packet.

I pre-heated the stove top grill to medium-high and let the packets sit for about 8-10 minutes.

 This is what the fish looked like inside the packet after 10 minutes:

 The fish was done, but the veggies definitely needed more time.

 I ended up eating the packet with a side of corn slaw. Delicious!

Happy eating!

Interested in portrait/landscape photography, tattoos, or industrial design? Check out my other blog!