Happy Monday my little munchkins!
Can I just say, just for a moment, that I am obsessed…
I’ve come to the realization in the past couple weeks that if I get into something, I absolutely fixate on it. It’s all I breathe, sleep, eat, think and do.
This probably isn’t very healthy for me. I like balance. But it’s hard to be balanced when I just get so friggin pumped!
Current obsession?….. I’m reading…. The Hunger Games. And not because it sounds like it’s related to food.
In fact, it really isn’t – except that all the characters in the book are starving to death.
Have you heard of it? No details!! I’m only on book 2 of 3 and I don’t want any spoilers… But have you heard of it?? Have you read it? Did you love it? Hate it? Obsess over it like I am right now? Seriously. All I want to do is curl up with a cup of tea…or a glass of bourbon… and read read read.
I’ll be honest – I don’t ordinarily read such fantastical books. They’re a little over the top for me. And when it comes to romance, I find it cheesy and way too stereotypically heterosexual. In books, not in life. And excessively violent stories give me nightmares. So I was completely taken aback when I picked up the first book of The Hunger Games and I couldn’t put it down. Literally. I read it in a day. And the only reason I haven’t read the second one in a day is because I’m here talking to you… And yes, I’m also having nightmares. But it’s so worth it.
So yes. I am fixating and obsessed. It feels good to confess that to you.
Turns out, after talking to my good friend Elise, I’m also currently fixated on spot prawns.
Apparently I talk about them every time we see each other. But if you’ve experienced the glory that are in fact, spot prawns, you’d understand. Besides, they’re only here for 2 months of the year and once they’re gone, I’ll find something new to dwell on. But right now, I’m all about the spot prawns.
Spot Prawn Shellfish Pot
Yield 2 servings
Ingredients
- 12 Fresh Spot Prawns.
- 12 Fresh Mussels.
- 12 Fresh Manila Clams.
- 1 Large Shallot, diced.
- 2 Stalks Green Garlic, sliced.
- 1 Bunch Chard, roughly chopped.
- Handful or Two of Cherry Tomatoes, halved.
- 1 Ear of Fresh Corn on the Cob, shucked & boiled for 7-10 minutes, and cut from the cob.
- 1 Bird's Eye Chili, seeds removed & finely chopped.
- 1 Small Handful Fresh Parlsey, roughly chopped.
- 2 C Dry White Wine.
- 1 C Coconut Milk.
- 2 Tbsp Curry Powder.
- Pinch of Saffron Threads.
- 1 Lime for Juice.
- 2 Tbsp Butter.
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper.
- Some Fresh Baked Bread of your choosing (for serving).
Instructions
- Prepare the shellfish. Before you can cook them you'll have to clean them. This means dumping them into a bowl and one by one rinsing them very briefly under cold water to remove any sand, snap off barnacles, etc...If you can help it - buy the mussels with the "beards". Don't worry, they aren't really beards - they're just seaweed. I think. They should snap shut as you pick them up if they aren't closed already (I tapped mine with a spoon before I picked em up), and as you rinse them, if there are beards, pull them off with a firm tug.
- And please be careful with the prawns. They're often sold still alive (think like lobster) and they have long pointy spears at the end of their noses. They will try to get you. Pick up the prawn by the waist and quickly rinse under cool water then set aside. No need to de-vein them - these aren't the creepy farmed mass-produced shit-laden prawns you ordinarily buy. For more info on selecting spot prawns, storing and preparing, click here.Do NOT soak your shellfish before cooking - these are salt water animals. If you soak them in fresh water = less happy, more dead fish. And if they're dead, you can't eat em. After they're cleaned, place in a separate bowl and set aside.
- In a large sauce pan, melt 1 Tbsp of butter of medium heat. Once it starts to sizzle, add the shallot and garlic. Sitr well.
- Once it begins to get a little bit of color on it, add the chard. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Next, toss in the tomatoes, corn, chili. Stir. Add the wine, coconut milk, curry powder, saffron, half the lime juice, and a good helping of salt and pepper. Stir well. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium, toss in the shellfish, stir, and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the shells of the mussels and clams have opened up and the prawns are light pink. Add the parsley and second Tbsp of butter.
- Discard any mussels that didn't open during the cooking process. This means they were dead to begin with and if they were dead you can't eat them. There is no way to tell how long they've been dead and if you try to eat them, you can (and likely) will get very, very ill. And anyone who's had shellfish poisoning will tell you, you don't want it. Just chuck em in the garbage. The rest are completely devourable.
- Serve with a side of bread of your choice and the other half of lime as a garnish.
- Eat.
[mc4wp_form]
Jackie @ Auburn Meadow Farm
June 4, 2012 at 5:41 PMOMG that looks so unbelievably amazing… a treat I haven’t had for a very long time.
I wonder if I’ll ever see the ocean again with all these needy cows???
Kristy Lynn
June 5, 2012 at 3:43 PMhaha – needy cows sure are cute though! Maybe you can find a cow-sitter and take a vaca?
Becky
June 4, 2012 at 6:08 PMI read the trilogy in 3 days. Pretty much did nothing else.
Kristy Lynn
June 5, 2012 at 3:43 PMtrue that.
Wandering Coyote
June 5, 2012 at 6:28 AMI love love love The Hunger Games! I’ve read all three and it’s a great series. Not too stoked on the movie, however.
I also lovex3 spot prawns! Yum!
Kristy Lynn
June 5, 2012 at 3:44 PMi’ve heard the movie is balls – very muted compared to the books.
Anonymous
June 5, 2012 at 12:29 PMI hate to say this, but I HATED the third book. Txt me your thoughts when you are finished and we can discuss it if you wish.
-Shelby (perhaps the only one you know whom is male?…)
PS. for further reading, I’d recommend the trilogy going by the title His Dark Materials, a la Philip Pullman. Or rather, The Golden Compass, as the first novel in the series is known. Fantastical, yes, but a far more involving and satisfying read than the Hunger Games trilogy (but please don’t watch the movie starring Daniel Craig, as it was too PG and revamped/ruined the original ending to make it more viewer friendly). Seriously, Krist, do give it a try… it’s one of maybe two series that actually moved me to tears via their conclusions, and I’m not ashamed to admit that.
Kristy Lynn
June 5, 2012 at 3:45 PMAH! I love you! I miss you so much – I’m pleased as punch to hear from you!
p.s. i’ll look up those books. and will probably watch the film because i have to but i’ve heard nothing but bad things about it.
p.p.s. real men can cry. and they admit it 😉
Wandering Coyote
June 5, 2012 at 5:40 PMI agree, His Dark Materials was an excellent series! I didn’t like book three so much because I felt it was slow, but the ending did move me to tears and overall the series was a great read.
Peggy G.
June 5, 2012 at 1:40 PMWe read the trilogy for my book club right before the movie came out. I was hesitant at first, but actually ended up really liking the books! They’re all awesome and the movie actually goes 98% along with the book too (which is surprising!). Love this seafood pot – I’d be obsessed with those gorgeous spot prawns too =)
Kristy Lynn
June 5, 2012 at 3:45 PMooooh Peggy! you’re the first who hasn’t slammed the film – that settles it. i must see it. as soon as i’m done book 3 🙂
Sam
June 5, 2012 at 3:50 PM1) If I ate sea food I would be all about this.
2) I read all the Hunger Games books before putting them in our school library. I got to read each book shortly after it came out. My friend Sarah and I actually reserved copies of Mockingjay to pick up the day it came out and then spent the day reading it the park. I spent way too much time talking to 7th graders about who was cuter, Peeta or Gale…sigh. I agree with the His Dark Materials rec, but it took a long time to get into the first book. I just finished Night Circus(still YA), which while the characters were lacking, had an intricately described setting/world. I have a stack of YA/middle grades books to read this summer for the class I’ll be teaching next year, but maybe I’ll get to read some books for grownups too.
Are you on Goodreads? We should be book-friends as well as blog friends.
Kristy Lynn
June 6, 2012 at 3:32 PMI want to be friends with Sarah! That sounds like a perfect day! ….and it’s true – I can hardly decide between Peta and Gale. So dreamy! ….(what’s wrong with us).
I’ll look up Goodreads!
Aunt B
June 5, 2012 at 9:48 PMHard not to fixate about spot prawns! They’re so good, and here for such a short time each year.
This meal looks wonderful. VI seafood at its best. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Kristy Lynn
June 6, 2012 at 3:32 PMThanks for stopping by Aunt B! 🙂
Teresa, foodonfifth.com
June 5, 2012 at 11:18 PMOh my…I live so far from the ocean…I am absolutely land-locked…but I love seafood when I am visiting the ocean. Your photos are beautiful and perfect. I have not read the Hunger Games…maybe one day. Those prawns are a bit scary and fun.
Kristy Lynn
June 6, 2012 at 3:32 PMI can’t IMAGINE not having access to fresh seafood. Even the scary and fun stuff 😉
With A Blast
June 6, 2012 at 8:29 AMHi, I saw your link on “lady behind the curtain” – this looks awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Linda
Kristy Lynn
June 6, 2012 at 3:32 PMThanks for stopping by Linda! Hope to see more of you around here!
shutupandcook
June 7, 2012 at 10:56 PMIn the spirit of shellfish, can I share with you my new favorite shrimp recipe? You brine them, which I’d never done with shrimp before, and it absolutely makes ALL the difference. YUM!
http://shutupandcook.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/like-father-like-daughter-grilled-shrimp-with-lemon-garlic-and-garden-herbs-dipped-in-sriracha-mayonnaise/
Kristy Lynn
June 8, 2012 at 4:20 PMhaha – on my way to check it out!!
Diane Balch
June 11, 2012 at 5:34 PMIf I could only eat one dish for all eternity it would be this one. I’m with you… love seafood. Thanks for sharing this on foodie friday.
Kristy Lynn
June 17, 2012 at 6:13 PMi’m glad we agree, diane. 😉
April @ The 21st Century Housewife
June 12, 2012 at 12:39 PMI haven’t read the Hunger Games yet, but I can definitely identify with getting lost in a book. It’s been WAAAY too long since I’ve done it though! I don’t know who pressed the fast forward button but I wish they’d take their finger off it .
I have not heard of spot prawns before, but they look delicious! Actually, the whole dish looks totally amazing. Your photography is incredible. I love the sound of the recipe too – so many wonderful flavours!
Kristy Lynn
June 17, 2012 at 6:14 PMthank you april! it’s amazing what natural light and a decent camera will do. i appreciate the compliments! more please! 😉