Friday 22 July 2011

Fish Fight Update: Kitchen Clambake

Last week, the European Commission published its proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Now come 18 months of debate and revision before any new law comes into effect.

I like this bit "The reform will introduce a decentralised approach to science-based fisheries management by region and sea basin, and introduce better governance standards in the EU and on the international level through sustainable fisheries agreements." but what the final legislation will look like is anyone's guess.

And we... continue to eat delicious sustainable seafood. My friend Sharon pointed me in the direction of this excellent graphic, pooling the advice from a variety of sources on what fish are sustainable and which are vulnerable. Very handy!

I spotted this recipe on The Glamorous Gourmet's blog, and knew I had to try it. I've always read about clambakes - digging the hole in the sand, lining it with seaweed and layer upon layer of corn, lobsters and clams, taking time out for a little teenage romance or murder (depending on what I was reading) and coming back hours later to a feast - but never thought it was achievable in an average suburban home. It may not have quite the charm of the original, but it is a very tasty way to make dinner!

This was the midweek on a budget version - no prawns and no lobsters. But mussels, clams, potatoes, corn and chunks of Polish sausage, cooked gently in white wine and annointed with a little butter, made a very hearty, delicious one-pot meal.

9 comments:

Bettina Douglas said...

great looking corn on the cob!

Sounds very tasty. What would be the Australian equivalent of Polish sausage?

purabi naha said...

Who needs prawns and lobsters when you can settle for something so yummy like this one! Great!!

hungryandfrozen said...

I've always had romantic-novelly associations with clambakes too, Polish sausage (ooh-er) sounds like an excellent addition.

Interesting to learn about what's happening on the other side of the world in food news, good on you for choosing sustainable fish :)

Alicia Foodycat said...

Mother - it's the perfect time of year! We're hoping to get our home grown corn into the next one. I'd probably use chorizo instead of kielbasa/Polish sausage.

Purabi - thanks! It was very tasty.

Laura - the European fish situation is dire. I think it is probably too late for some species.

Barbara said...

There's nothing more fun than an authentic clambake. I've had some in Maine down on the beach...each was delicious. (and messy!)
But there's no reason you can't put together a fabulous one on your own. Stephanie's recipe is great...she has a super blog...it looks to me like your mid-week budget clambake tasted great!

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely creation. I suspect you only momentarily missed the more expensive ingredients. I'd love to have joined you for this meal. Have a wonderful evening. Blessings...Mary

Deb in Hawaii said...

This looks wonderful. I too, always wanted to have the perfect beach side clambake but this does look like a great way to have it at home. ;-)

Alicia Foodycat said...

Barbara - one day I will get to Maine and experience the real deal!

Mary - honestly the corn was so good I could have stuck to that!

Deb - until I have a beach house I guess I have to make do.

Su-Lin said...

Love this! I've always wanted to try this and really should give it a go at home. Perhaps in the winter after my trip to North America where hopefully I'll pick up some Old Bay seasoning. And crayfish boils? Or crab boils - have you seen those too? Gosh, they look fantastic.

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