Need some new d’lish ideas for the big game? I have some tasty recipes for your next big party!
Everyone loves the classics: crab dip, wings, deviled eggs, but how about some new variations?

Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip is my play on Hot Crab Dip is made with Alaskan King Crab, sherry-sautéed mushrooms, and brie – ooo la la! It can be made the night before and heated up before guests arrive. Just serve with some artisan crackers or slices of baguette. Touchdown!

And it’s not a party without some deviled eggs – you know how much I love these! The 12th Egg – AKA – Chipotle Deviled Eggs – features spicy chipotle for some KICK BUTT flavor.

Photos by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

And for a new twist on wings try my recipe for Sticky Pomegranate Chicken Wings! A d’lish sweet and zesty finger food, sure to impress the fans.

And the best thing is that all these apps can be prepped ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen and have more game time. Now go enjoy the game! -Kathy

Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip
Dungeness crab meat is tasty but also pricy. Try purchasing Alaska King Crab legs and picking the meat out. It’s easy to do by using a pair of clean scissors to open up the legs. Then just give the meat a very coarse chop to cut it into 1/2 inch pieces.

Dip can be prepared up to 2 days in advance if using very fresh crab and baked when your guests are just starting to arrive. Easy to make Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini bake at the same oven temperature to make things easy!

Makes about 6 cups — serves about 12 – 24 people

1 small (8 oz wt.) wheel brie cheese
——————————————
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 cups thinly sliced crimini mushrooms
2 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup dry sherry
——————————————-
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Note: do not use reduced-fat or fat-free, I like to use Best Foods in this recipe)
3 cups (about 10 oz. wt.) shredded, high-quality parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp Tabasco
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/4 cup minced sweet red bell pepper (optional)
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 pound crab meat, drained well (about 2 1/2 cups drained), see note above
Garnish: Minced fresh parsley

Cut the brie cheese into 1/2” pieces, set aside and then let come to room temperature.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook stirring often till half cooked, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until the onions are very soft and the mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Then add the garlic and sherry and continue cooking until the sherry is completely reduced about 8 minutes. (There should not be any liquid left.) Set aside to cool.

Place the room temperature brie in a mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for about 1 minute or until the cheese softened. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then add half of the mayonnaise. Mix for 3 more minutes on medium-high speed. Add the remaining mayonnaise, parmesan, Tabasco, and lemon juice. Mix together on medium speed until well mixed, about 1 minute.

Remove bowl from mixer and fold-in the cooled mushroom mixture, green onion, pepper, celery and crab meat – being careful not to break up the crab meat. Do not over mix.

Place dip in a 7×11 baking dish, or 2 quart ovenproof serving dish. Smooth out but do not compact it (dip can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 day at this point).

When ready to serve dip, place in a 400°F preheated oven. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until dip just starts to bubble around the edges, heated through and the cheese is melted (be careful not to overcook). If desired, garnish dip with minced fresh parsley. Serve immediately with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini, or rustic flat bread or crackers.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®. – www.KathyCasey.com

Sticky Pomegranate Chicken Wings
These chicken wings get a big-flavored, lacquer-y glaze in this low-and-slow method. You can make the sauce a few days ahead of time, but be sure to allow a full hour for cooking the wings.

Makes 24 pieces

3/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsps very finely minced peeled fresh ginger
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
1 Tbsp of lemon zest
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 Tbsps cornstarch
1 dozen whole chicken wings or 2 dozen drummettes, about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds

Garnish: 1/2 cup pomegranate arils* and thinly sliced green onion tops

In a small saucepan, whisk together the pomegranate juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, pepper flakes, vinegar, cornstarch, and water. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, to thicken. Mixture will be very thick. Let cool. If not using immediately, store, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

If using whole wings, disjoint the wings and remove and discard tips; you should have 24 pieces. Put them in a large bowl and set aside.

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Add the sauce mixture to the chicken and mix well to coat evenly. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or lightly oil it. Arrange the drummettes and sauce in a single layer in the dish.

Bake for 30 minutes. Stir and turn the chicken pieces over and bake for 20 minutes more. Stir and turn the chickens pieces again and bake for 10 minutes more, or until chicken is tender and sauce is thick and glazed. Total cooking time should be about 1-hour.

Stir the drummettes in the sauce once more, and then transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and green onions.

*Pomegranate seeds, called “arils”, can be purchased or you can easily remove them from a fresh pomegranate with this trick: cut it across cross-wise and hold over a bowl, smack the back of the fruit with a wooden spoon – the seeds will fall out with ease.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios. – www.KathyCasey.com

I’m a true Pacific Northwesterner and my love for delicious fresh salmon is in my blood. And there is nothing better than Alaska salmon.

Grilled, pan seared, or oven roasted – any way you serve it – this iconic fish is always a treat!

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

That being said, I have a new favorite salmon preparation: Citrus Marinated Slow-Cooked Salmon. Quick to prepare for a crowd and oh-so-delicious!

Schmear a side of salmon with a flavorful mixture of mustard, honey, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and olive oil. Then lay out super thin slices of lemon and oranges and shaved fennel – alternating orange and lemon for a truly beautiful presentation.

Bake low and slow at 250^o F for about 40 minutes, depending on how thick your fillet is. This low-and-slow method makes for a very moist and succulent preparation and a great centerpiece for your next get-together.

And make sure to mark your calendars for August 10^th for Alaskan Wild Salmon Day! A fun day to try out your fave salmon dishes – looking for tips and ideas, try some of my d’lish salmon glazes below like my Chipotle Honey Glaze.

D’lish Salmon!
(Photo courtesy of Alaska Seafood Marketing)

So whether you’re smoking, grilling, or oven-roasting it, get your wild salmon on while it’s in season.
–Kathy

Sunkist® Citrus Marinated Slow-Cooked Salmon
This salmon preparation is perfect to serve to a crowd. Slices of citrus baked over the top, and the low-and-slow cooking method keep it moist.

Makes about 6 servings

Salmon
1 small side of salmon with skin, (about 2 – 2 1/2 pounds)
1 Sunkist® navel orange
1 Sunkist lemon

Marinade
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. local honey
zest of 1 Sunkist Lemon*
2 Tbsp. chopped minced fresh dill
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh chives
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F°.

Bring fish out of refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Cut 2 pieces of heavy-duty wide foil to fit a baking sheet pan. Stack the pieces shiny side down. Spray generously with cooking spray.

Pat fish dry with paper towels. Place the salmon skin side down in the middle of the foil. If the salmon is to long for your baking sheet or if the tail end is thin, tuck the tail under.

Slice the orange and lemon each into 8 thin slices. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together marinade ingredients. Spoon the marinade over the salmon, coating well.

Lay the sliced citrus over the top of the salmon arranging in a “scale-like” pattern. Cook salmon for approximately 40 – 45 minutes, depending upon desired doneness and the thickness of your salmon.

* To make lemon zest: Zest is the outer peel of the fruit with no white pith attached. You can make fine zest with a zesting tool, microplainer or fine grater.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios for Sunkist®.

Salmon Glaze Tips and Tricks
Glazing salmon is a delicious and fast way to add a punch of flavor. These easy stir-together toppings are perfect for keeping on hand in your refrigerator. Try drizzling some glaze on your salmon during the last minutes on the grill. Or if pan roasting, right after you flip the salmon in the pan, spread a tablespoon of glaze on the top and then finish in the oven. This gives the glaze time to get a bit golden and caramelize a little. Use about 1 tablespoon per portion of fish or about 1/3 cup on a side of salmon. You can always pass extra glaze for those that want a little more!

Molasses Marmalade Glaze
Makes a scant 1/2 cup

1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

Stir ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Brown Sugar Peanut Glaze
Makes about 3/4 cup

2 Tbsp. hot water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
6 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter

In a small bowl stir together the hot water, brown sugar and soy sauce. Then stir in the ginger and peanut butter until smooth. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Chipotle Honey Glaze
Makes a generous 1/2 cup

1/2 cup local honey
3 Tbsp. puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce*

Stir together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

*To make chipotle purée: Purée a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with a hand blender, blender or food processor until smooth. Freeze any remaining purée for another use.

Recipes by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

It’s no secret that the poke trend is taking Seattle- and the entire country- by storm. And while it seems this hot craze is new to the scene, traditional Hawaiian poke has actually been around for centuries. Seriously- centuries!

So what makes poke so popular? Well it’s healthy, delicious, and so customizable! The raw fish salad is traditionally made with cubed ahi tuna, seaweed, onions, and an Asian inspired dressing made of soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. But these days poke shops offer much, much more- allowing YOU to tailor your experience! And living in the Northwest we also love our salmon poke. Just be sure to use Alaska Salmon that has been previously frozen for safety purposes.

Alaska Salmon Korean BBQ Poke
Here are some fun Poke recipes that we worked on!

And lucky for us- Seattle has some amazing poke restaurants that are a must-try! My go-to spot is Poke To The Max, created by the Hawaiian poke legend Chef Sam Choy. With locations in Tacoma, Hillman City, and 3 mobile food trucks that travel throughout the Seattle area- it’s easy to become a regular.

On August 21st you can really get your poke on at Chef Choy’s Seattle Poke Contest where dozens of local chefs will come together to prove that their take on the dish is the best. Expect live music, delicious food and drinks, and of course- lots and lots of POKE! And if that’s not enough to convince you- each ticket purchase benefits The Bennett Foundation, founded by Seattle Seahawk’s beloved Michael Bennett! So get out there and enjoy great food, for a great cause.

For more information and tickets to The Seattle Poke Contest, visit their facebook page! or get tickets here! -Kathy

It’s time for crab talk! This versatile shellfish is d’lish all around, and here in the Northwest, we love our Dungeness Crab! 

Now you’ve probably noticed that some crab eaters are pickers and some are pilers. The former pick and eat as they go – while the latter make a pile of shelled crab, not even tasting a single morsel until they have a good-sized mound. So which one are you: a picker or a piler? 

Fresh, right out of the shell is still my favorite way to eat this prized catch but it is also amazing made into a big crab louie salad, oooooh and don’t forget how amazing crab cakes or the ever popular artichoke and crab dips are too.  

If you’re looking for new ways to cook up this crustacean, look no further than local author and seafood guru ‘ new book Crab: 50 Recipes with the Fresh Taste of the SeaCynthia Nims! It is chock-full of tips like how to buy and store crab, what to drink with crab, and local history and lore. Plus, it has delicious recipes to try like her savory Sourdough Bread Pudding with Crab (recipe below); now that sounds like a perfect holiday brunch dish to me! Want to learn more about crab? Then be sure to check out Cynthia’s website for crab filled events, including book signings and crab cooking classes!

Photo by Cynthia Nims.

For a d’lish appetizer for any holiday entertaining, try my Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini, rich and d’lish! So get cracking and enjoy some delicious crab this season! -Kathy  

Sourdough Bread Pudding with Crab
Bread pudding shows up in a lot of guises these days, making an appearance here at the breakfast table with tangy sourdough bread holding sweet crabmeat in an herby custard. Feel free to use a non-sourdough bread if you prefer. – Cynthia Nims

Makes 8 Servings

Crab: any cooked crabmeat
Unsalted butter, for buttering
1 small loaf day-old rustic sourdough bread (about 1 pound), cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes, divided
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces), divided
1⁄2 cup minced onion
8 to 12 ounces crabmeat
8 large eggs
3 cups whole milk
2 Tbsp. minced fresh at-leaf (Italian) parsley
1 Tbsp. minced fresh chives
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Scatter about half of the bread cubes evenly in the baking dish, and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the cheese over the bread, followed by the onion. Pick over the crab meat to remove any bits of shell or cartilage. If using king or snow crab leg meat, cut it into small dice. Scatter the crab over the onion, then top the crab with the remaining bread cubes.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs to blend, then whisk in the milk, parsley, and chives with a good pinch each of salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and let sit for about 10 minutes, pressing the cubes down so they evenly soak up the custard.

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheese over the top and bake the bread pudding until the top is lightly browned and a knife inserted in the center of the dish comes out clean, about 45 minutes. If the top is well browned before the eggy custard is cooked, loosely cover the dish with a piece of foil. Let the bread pudding sit for a few minutes before cutting it into pieces to serve.

Recipe ©2016 By Cynthia Nims. All rights reserved. Excerpted from Crab: 50 Recipes with the Fresh Taste of the Sea by permission of Sasquatch Books.

Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini
Makes about 6 cups — serves about 12 – 24 people

Dip can be prepared up to 2 days in advance if using very fresh crab and baked when your guests are just starting to arrive. Easy to make Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini bake at the same oven temperature to make things easy!

1 small (8 oz wt.) wheel brie cheese
——————————————
2 tsp. olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 cups thinly sliced crimini mushrooms
2 tsp. minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup dry sherry
——————————————-
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Note: do not use reduced-fat or fat-free, I like to use Best Foods in this recipe)
3 cups (about 10 oz. wt.) shredded, high-quality parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. Tabasco
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/4 cup minced sweet red bell pepper (optional)
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 pound shelled crab meat, (such as Dungeness or try Alaska King) drained well (about 2 1/2 cups drained), see note above

Garnish: Minced fresh parsley
Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini (recipe follows)

Cut the brie cheese into 1/2” pieces, set aside and then let come to room temperature.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook stirring often till half cooked, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until the onions are very soft and the mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes.

Then add the garlic and sherry and continue cooking until the sherry is completely reduced about 8 minutes. (There should not be any liquid left.) Set aside to cool.

Place the room temperature brie in a mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for about 1 minute or until the cheese softened. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then add half of the mayonnaise. Mix for 3 more minutes on medium-high speed. Add the remaining mayonnaise, parmesan, Tabasco and lemon juice. Mix together on medium speed until well mixed, about 1 minute.

Remove bowl from mixer and fold-in the cooled mushroom mixture, green onion, pepper, celery and crab meat – being careful not to break up the crab meat. Do not over mix.

Place dip in a 7-inch x 11-inch baking dish, or 2 quart or ovenproof serving dish. Smooth out but do not compact it. (Dip can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 day at this point.)

When ready to serve dip, place in a 400-degree F. pre-heated oven. Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes or until dip just starts to bubble around the edges, is heated through and the cheese is melted. (Be careful not to overcook) If desired, sprinkle with minced fresh parsley. Serve immediately with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini, or rustic flat bread or crackers.

Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini
Crostini are the must-have party basic. Use as a base for assorted toppers, such as creamy cheeses, tapenade, or spreads.

Makes 24 – 32 pieces

1 baguette
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 tsp. minced fresh garlic
1/2 tsp. sea salt

Pre-heat an oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut the baguette with a serrated knife into 1/4-inch diagonal slices. Lay out on a baking sheet pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the oil, thyme and garlic. Lightly brush the baguette slices with the herb oil, then sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 10 – 15 minutes, or until just crispy.

 Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Nothing says Pacific Northwest like salmon, and it’s that time of year again when this rich, delicious local gem is readily available. Bring on the summer sun, its salmon-cooking season!

D’lish Salmon!
(Photo courtesy of Alaska Seafood Marketing)

There are several varieties of salmon available locally that can fit any budget and taste, from sockeye to King. Salmon’s natural oil and fat content help keep it moist and tender, even when grilling, but you can help it stay that way with a flavorful brine.

Brining possibilities are endless: white wine and savory spices, brown sugar and soy, or simply sugar and salt brine – just dunk your pieces for 15 minutes or so before cooking.

Salmon makes the perfect platform for glazes, marinades and other tasty toppings. How does roasted king salmon with a Chipotle Honey Glaze or an Orange Ginger Butter sound? Or contrast salmon’s rich meatiness with a fresh and zesty Zesty Lemon Basil Vinaigrette. Makes me want to fire up the BBQ right now!

So whether you’re smoking, grilling, or oven-roasting it, get your wild salmon on while it’s in season.
–Kathy

Chipotle Honey Glaze
Make a generous 1/2 cup

1/2 cup local honey
3 Tbsp. puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce*

Stir together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

*To make chipotle purée: Purée a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with a hand blender, blender or food processor until smooth. Freeze any remaining purée for another use.

Recipe created for Alaska Seafood Marketing by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Orange Ginger Butter
Switch this basic recipe up with different combinations of citrus and herbs. Change out the ginger for garlic and try using a different mustard as well. Roll up different variations into logs in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 4 months. Just slice off a few pieces for a salmon topping anytime.

Makes 1 cup

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) salted butter, softened, cut into chunks
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate
1 Tbsp. finely minced orange zest
1 Tbsp. finely minced ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
2 green onions, very thinly sliced

Place all ingredients except the green onion in a food processor. Process until smooth and emulsified, scraping down the sides of the work bowl often. (If the butter doesn’t come together right away, be patient and continue processing.) When the mixture is well blended, add the green onion and pulse until mixed. Keep refrigerated, tightly covered, for up to 7 days.

Recipe created for Alaska Seafood Marketing by Kathy Casey Food Studios®
 
Zesty Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
This quick and easy homemade dressing is delicious drizzled over salmon. You can switch up this basic vinaigrette recipe by changing out the basil for cilantro and the lemon for lime, and/or adding a dash of hot sauce for some zing. You can also double the recipe and add all the ingredients at once to a blender to make a more creamy dressing.

Makes 1 cup

2 cups fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. local honey
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. finely minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. minced fresh basil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Fresh-ground black pepper

Place the lemon juice, honey, mustard and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Continue whisking and drizzle in the oil to incorporate. Then stir in the basil, salt and pepper. Store refrigerated for up to 10 days.

Recipe created for Alaska Seafood Marketing by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Seattle Wine & Food Experience has been THE epicurean weekend to sample the best food and wine the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Back for its 8th year (February 20^th and 21^st), this year’s event is bigger and better than ever.

Saturday evening kicks off with Pop! Bubbles & Seafood experience located at the elegant McCaw Hall. Pop! features the bounty of the Pacific Northwest’s seafood paired with sparkling wines and Champagne. This is sure to be a sparkling evening!

At Sunday’s Wine & Food Experience get ready to sip and taste your way through an amazing event line up!

Some favorites and must check outs are:

• –‘Brews and Ewes‘ – where select breweries are paired with top chefs’ lamb creations! Yum!
• -“Riesling Challenge” at the Ste. Michelle’s booth – you can and determine which wine pleases your palate – Dry, Off Dry or Sweet.

No matter which day you decide to attend (or maybe make a weekend of it!), you’ll have the opportunity to try hundreds of wines, beers, ciders, and local chef dishes. Now, doesn’t that sound like fun? Visit event website for info on tickets and full line-up of exhibitors.

Cheers! -Kathy

Looking for a delicious and fun weekend getaway fun for the whole family? Then head to Ocean Shores’ Razor Clam Festival and Seafood Extravaganza Friday, March 20^th to Sunday the 22^nd.

This clam-tastic weekend features all sorts of family fun events, like clam shovel decorating, mechanical shark rides, and chowder tasting where you can cast your vote for People’s Choice!
But make sure you don’t miss the chowder cook offs – both chefs and amateurs battle it out with their best chowders for big bragging rights. Who will be best on the beach this year?

Razor clams are a definite northwest delicacy. If you want to try your hand and “shovel,” be sure to check out the Washington department of Fish and Wildlife website for dig info. Don’t forget your clam license, fishing or waterproof gloves and boots. And remember: Never ever turn your back to the surf!

The Razor Clam Dance!

Once you’ve reached your razor clam limits, check out this video that my friend Scott Surdyke and I made on how to clean them properly. And for a super tasty way of cooking this bi-valve, try our recipe for our Clam-tastic Razor Clam Fritters with my Rock-the-World Tartar Sauce below.

So cross your fingers for sunny weather, pack warm and head on over to Ocean Shores for a clam-tastic time. -Kathy

Scott & Kathy’s CLAMTASTIC Razor Clam Fritters
Makes 24 – 26 fritters

3 cups chopped/diced razor clams
3 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix with buttermilk
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1 Tbsp minced lemon zest
2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
Fresh-ground pepper to taste
1 Tbsp minced garlic
3/4 cup clam nectar (or reserved clam juice)
1/4 cup Northwest amber beer, flat
2 eggs, whisked
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 cup fresh corn kernels
6 scallions/green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped orange or red bell pepper (about 1/2 pepper)
—————————————————
Crisco shortening for frying
Lemon wedges for garnish/squeezing
Kathy Casey’s Ultimate Rock-the-World Tartar Sauce (recipe follows)

Drain the clams and save any juice for use in recipe.
In a large bowl combine the Krusteaz, corn meal, baking powder, lemon pepper, zest, salt and pepper. Stir in the garlic, clam nectar/juice, beer and eggs to combine.
Then fold in the celery, corn, green onions, bell pepper and drained clams.

Heat 2-inches of Crisco in a large cast iron skilled till hot – about 375 degrees. Scoop out fritters a few at time – I use a 1/4 cup measure – they should be kind of spread out and not too thick. Fry on first side till golden and then flip over. Continue frying till golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Cook fritters in batches being sure oil stays hot. Keep fritters warm in a 300 degree oven on a rack if needed – but they are best served right away – the fritter cook will just have to keep cooking! Serve with Rock the World Tartar Sauce and fresh lemons.

Recipe by Scott Surdyke and Kathy Casey.

Kathy’s Rock-The-World Tartar Sauce
Makes 2 cups

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle or dill pickle relish
2 Tbsps drained capers, chopped
1 green onion, very thinly sliced
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
2 Tbsps chopped parsley
1/4 tsp celery seed
2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients.

Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books

As far as trends go, fresh ginger is Hot, Hot, Hot! It’s everywhere on menus these days from signature cocktails to entrees to desserts!

And no wonder! Not only is fresh ginger spicy, aromatic, and so tasty, it is incredibly good for you. Ginger has been used for ages as an anti-inflammatory and is a well-known cure for symptoms of motion as well as morning sickness. And next time you have a cold or the flu, try some hot ginger tea. It’s an age-old remedy that helps boost your immune system.

There are a ton of great uses for ginger in drinks. I like steeping it in some simple syrup to add that special zing and spice to drinks. And of course ginger beer is the latest darling in the whole Modern Mule Cocktail Craze – and easy to make, vodka, squeeze of lime, and a great ginger beer, like Rachel’s Ginger Beer – a local fave!

Hands of fresh ginger are easy to peel using a small spoon!

Want to know my ginger peeling trick – it’s like magic! Peeling ginger roots with the side of a spoon – the brown skin rubs right off, and you won’t waste too much of the great flavorful inside. It’s that easy.

And one of my favorite and easy Pacific Northwest-inspired meals is fresh local clams or mussels steamed with lots of ginger, garlic and lemon grass with a dash of hot chili paste and coconut milk. I’ve got a great recipe for you below!

Stay zesty with ginger! -Kathy

A favorite mussel recipe from One of my first cookbooks: Dishing

Steamed Mussels in Gingery Thai Basil Coconut Broth
One of the many basil varieties, Thai basil is often described as having a spicier fragrance than sweet basil. I’ve combined it with ginger, lemongrass, and steamed mussels for a dish that is full of aromatic characteristics and brothy richness.

Makes 4 starter servings or 2 entrée servings

2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsps. minced ginger
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. chili flakes (or 1/2 – 1 tsp. Asian chili paste if you like it spicy)
1 Tbsp. minced fresh lemongrass (optional)
1 (13.5 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
2 tsp. Thai fish sauce (nam pla)
2 tsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsps. coarsely chopped fresh Thai basil
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 pounds fresh mussels in the shell, washed and debearded
1/2 cup matchstick-cut carrots
1/2 cup matchstick-cut red bell pepper
1/4 cup slivered green onion
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Add the ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemongrass and cook, stirring often, for about 30 seconds; do not let the mixture burn.

Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, soy sauce, Thai basil, lime juice, mussels, carrots, red peppers, and green onions. Bring to a boil, and cover immediately. Steam the mussels, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mussels just open. Immediately remove from heat. With a slotted spoon, divide the mussels (discard any that are unopened) and vegetables among bowls and pour the broth over them. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately.

Chef’s Tips: If Thai basil is not available, substitute any fresh basil.