A rare "bargain" in the seafood case

Yesterday, I was perusing Fresh Market as I so often do and lo- and behold, I see that Chilean Sea Bass is on special. Reduced from $22.99 to $17.99. Still crazy expensive, but hey, it's ON SALE! I had to bite. Also on special were Carolina Shrimp for $6.99 a pound. I got a few of those and grilled them along with the bass. In the past, I've likened the sea bass to tasting like "a big scallop." I'm revising that. I've decided it has a similar taste and texture to king crab.

We had the bass along with steamed brocolli with red pepper flakes and lemon zest and Mike F's "splats." (Boiled and roasted baby Yukon golds that Jenise's husband aptly named.) Not bad for a weeknight dinner.

Sea Bass is my favorite fish, and yes, it is very expensive. It is on the endangered list, according to the Monterey Bay aquariam folks. Raley's does not have it often, it is a special order item, so I watch for the leftovers, as they are usually on sale, for a small piece......but it usually feeds the two of us. It is very elegant, don't you think? I put evoo, salt and pepper, and squeeze fresh lemon juice on it. It is perfect that way.

The Fresh Market by my office will have some great seafood sale items once in a while. They do not advertise so one just has to stumble across the items. This summer I found some beautiful bluegills on sale and Jody found some huge day boat scallops for half the regular price. Their seafood is very good but I usually only buy it from them if it is on sale or it is for a special occasion. They seem to be a bit expensive.

Sea Bass is my favorite fish, and yes, it is very expensive. It is on the endangered list, according to the Monterey Bay aquariam folks. Raley's does not have it often, it is a special order item, so I watch for the leftovers, as they are usually on sale, for a small piece......but it usually feeds the two of us. It is very elegant, don't you think? I put evoo, salt and pepper, and squeeze fresh lemon juice on it. It is perfect that way.

Elegant, yes, I do think so. We had some people over for dinner once and I served a small, pan seared "block" of it (seasoned with sea salt and black pepper only), with some Cipriani tagliarelli tossed with lemon zest, olive oil, sliced asparagus and shitake mushrooms. It was perfect.

I don't add oil to the fish because as I said in a previous post, it has so much oil in it already--doesn't need it. It never sticks to the grill or the pan. In fact, it flares up on the grill! I may try it with some lemon juice next time. It's such a rich fish, the acid probably works well with it. I think it also would be good with a mango salsa.

The Fresh Market by my office will have some great seafood sale items once in a while. They do not advertise so one just has to stumble across the items. This summer I found some beautiful bluegills on sale and Jody found some huge day boat scallops for half the regular price. Their seafood is very good but I usually only buy it from them if it is on sale or it is for a special occasion. They seem to be a bit expensive.

Yes, their entire protein section is expensive. I look for their specials. They often have choice Angus ribeyes or NY strips on sale, so I tend to buy those when they have them. Have you every tried any of their specialty burger patties? Oh my, they are good for a weeknight dinner (Gouda and bacon, etc.).
I have to sprint past their bakery. One glance and I'm buying all kinds of bad things.

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/S ... aspx?gid=6

I have a small cheat sheet about endangered fish and fish one should not eat given to us at the aquarium last time we visited. It is amazing how many fish are on the list. Sad!

This summer I found some beautiful bluegills on sale

Dave, one does not purchase Bluegills - one must put in the requisite time on a pond bank or in a boat, attentively watching the bobber that floats over the baited hook, so as to hook the fish and earn the right to eat it. Have you remembered NOTHING of importance from your childhood?!

This summer I found some beautiful bluegills on sale

Dave, one does not purchase Bluegills - one must put in the requisite time on a pond bank or in a boat, attentively watching the bobber that floats over the baited hook, so as to hook the fish and earn the right to eat it. Have you remembered NOTHING of importance from your childhood?!

Robert,

Did you have to rub it in? My busy season at work is always Q3 so I do not have time during this quarter to take my boat out when I am working 70+ hours per week.

Just wait until March and April come around next year. I am going to give you grief for not catching the fresh stuff during tax season.

Have you every tried any of their specialty burger patties? Oh my, they are good for a weeknight dinner (Gouda and bacon, etc.).
I have to sprint past their bakery. One glance and I'm buying all kinds of bad things.

Their burgers are crazy good. I like the “Greek” ones that have feta, garlic and spices in them. Jody usually goes for the aged cheddar cheese and Nueskes bacon version.

We both steer clear of the bakery. Too much temptation there.

One reason for it's popularity in restaurants is that Chilean Sea Bass is pretty much "idiot proof". It has a long duration time range for it's cooking during which it can still receive the public's approval. Itis difficult to over cook.