Let's Talk BBQ
Recipes => Recipes => Seafood => Topic started by: SmokinKat on July 08, 2016, 03:25:36 PM
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James and I got to spend the 4th of July weekend with my mama, who lives in Anchorage. We took a road trip down to Homer, AK where I grew up, and stayed in a B&B just a few houses up the hill from where we used to live!
On Saturday we visited the farmer's market, and picked up some shrimp and king crab thighs. The king crab had been previously frozen, but the shrimp had been caught that morning!!
We sauteed the shrimp in a little browned butter and garlic paste.
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Served with some fresh bread and a stout from the Denali Brewing company. The shrimp were absolutely divine, and the beer was fantastic!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/20160702_172456_zpsavee24nw.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/20160702_172456_zpsavee24nw.jpg.html)
While we let the first course settle in our happy bellies, James sampled another local brew, which was also delicious.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/20160702_185727_zpsqk2lad66.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/20160702_185727_zpsqk2lad66.jpg.html)
Time for the main course! We couldn't find a pot big enough to cook them in, so we borrowed an old copper pot from the homestead decor to use! Was wishing I had my MAK to heat these up on, but desperate times and all that. ;)
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CHEERS!!!
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Sorry this one is blurry, I was too excited to dig into my own crab to take a steady shot! Dipped the meat in some melted butter (I swear we each consumed a good stick apiece that night...) and were just in absolute heaven!
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Another couple of pictures from the Homer trip before I get back to the seafood adventure:
This mama and baby moose were RIGHT outside our window, and were even getting into the owner's garden, sneaky things. James has never visited Alaska before, so he was just over the moon to get to see some real wildlife up close.
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This is down on the Homer "Spit", where we used to fish for salmon. This lucky chap had found a salmon carcass to tear into. When I was younger, there was an old woman who lived in the campground and fed the eagles regularly (which is now illegal) for many many years, so you would see 30+ bald eagles at a time.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/DSCN1929_zps2gksqodv.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/DSCN1929_zps2gksqodv.jpg.html)
The view from our old house in Homer, looking out over Katchemak bay and the Homer Spit. The fireweed in the front hasn't bloomed yet, but it's still a nice view!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/DSCN2020_zpss2cjk9vw.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/DSCN2020_zpss2cjk9vw.jpg.html)
The Sandhill Cranes are out and about in the coastal plains around Homer as well:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/FSCN2083_zpswdkfvx56.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/FSCN2083_zpswdkfvx56.jpg.html)
And a baby sandhill crane, called a "colt":
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/FSCN2086_zpsxlgai2ak.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/FSCN2086_zpsxlgai2ak.jpg.html)
The local feed store called the Wagon Wheel has a rather famous sign (it took me an embarrassingly long time to get the joke as a kid-- they have baby chicks to buy there, so I just took that literally for the longest time!!)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/DSCN1998_zpsfzem0vq2.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/DSCN1998_zpsfzem0vq2.jpg.html)
This is the Kenai River, where gazillions of people come to fish every year-- the water is a surreal shade of emerald green/blue from the glacier run off.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/DSCN1883_zpsg84lcx5r.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/DSCN1883_zpsg84lcx5r.jpg.html)
The weather was pretty overcast, so we didn't get the mountains in all their full glory, but on the way out of town we got to watch about a dozen eagles (juvenile and full grown) playing in the thermal upcurrents around the bluffs overlooking Homer.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/FSCN2074_zpsofulshwg.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/FSCN2074_zpsofulshwg.jpg.html)
To finish off our seafood adventures, we had a bbq with some friends back in Anchorage. Jim goes out every year with his brother to have male bonding time, and they brought back fresh halibut, red salmon, shrimp, and a sea urchin! For those non-sushi-eating types, urchins have roe (caviar) that is highly prized, called Uni.
Our friend Sarah jumped right in and cracked the urchin open:
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/20160704_195759_zpsi7xfl2et.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/20160704_195759_zpsi7xfl2et.jpg.html)
And scooped out the extra innards (dark colored gunk) to get to the uni (the bright yellow globs inside). The taste is slightly sweet and briny, with a creamy/buttery texture. What a treat!!!
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/SmokinKat/20160704_195824_zpspfie0fnk.jpg) (http://s649.photobucket.com/user/SmokinKat/media/20160704_195824_zpspfie0fnk.jpg.html)
All in all, an absolutely delicious trip, and made me miss living there when my dad would bring home fresh king crab by the garbage bag full off the boats!
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Oh My! What a fantastic trip and the food food looks delicious. Next time take me please.
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What a nice trip Kat!!! I envy you and James, and looks like you ate some great sea food!!! Food looks delicious and scenery is great!!! Don
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Wow, what good eats. I only wish that King Crab was cheaper down here in Florida. It is about $20/# at Costco, and I saw a cluster that was $190. A friend of mine had a brother who was a commercial fisherman in Alaska, and brought fresh seafood to his brother in Florida ever year when he visited. I am only jealous of anyone who can get that stuff.
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Looks like you and the big guy had a great trip Kat! The seafood and wildlife pics got me a bit envious too! Glad for you two! ;)
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What a great set of photos. Very cool. Really hope to get there some day
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Wow ! ! ! I wish that we could King Crab legs down here. Don't know what kind we get, but they're nowhere near the size of yours ! !
I could say that I'd like to make that trip one day, but I know it's not likely in the cards. So thanks for the pictures of more than just the great food.
BD
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Looks like you had a super good time! Photos are awesome!
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Great trip and great food!
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Awesome pics! Looks like you enjoyed yourself's :)
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What a great trip. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.
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Great post! AK is way up there on my bucket list, and this moved it up a few notches. Thanks for sharing!
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Looks like an outstanding trip. Love Alaska. I want to live there
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SK and James, glad you enjoyed your trip to Anchorage. Everything looks great , but the greatest pic is of the baby sandhill crane. First time I ever saw a baby crane. So cute.
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Wow just amazing. I'm thinking next year you open it up the members to join on this trip. My Wife would love it ;D