Something's Fishy Here

My sister Peggy picked it out right away. Why would the self avowed Fish & Seafood Hater be looking for a local shop to buy said swimmy things? Good question. I guess the answer lies in what won't I do for a photography shoot, oh yeah and my husband. 

This month's food photography challenge is Fish 2 ways. Since my son is off working at scout camp for the summer, I have no fisher people at my disposal. And frankly, if you know me, you know I hate fish. (Sorry fish, I'm sure you have good qualities that I should try to understand.) So in contemplating this month's challenge I had a few fears, first purchasing fish. Second fixing the fish. 

What kind of fish do you purchase? There are only several thousand varieties available. And then, what do you do with it? 

 I have vivid memories of a summer living in a tiny, cramped, extremely stuffy attic room in Jackson Hole Wyoming...my cousin and I had a microwave and a 4 x 4 inch electric fry pan to cook with. Downstairs was a kitchen, but regularly our landlady cooked fish. Oh the over powering fishy stench was nearly more than I could handle. I became an avowed believer in never cooking fish indoors because of that experience. So back to this month, what to do? 

 First let me tell you a bit about my patient husband. Not only is he patient with my non-fish loving bad attitude, he also is a very patient photography project guy. Just to illustrate, he pulled a large RV over to the wrong side of traffic once just outside of Sedona for the sole reason to allow me to photograph the magical fog that was developing over the light dusting of snow on the vivid red desert rocks. That's a patient husband. And well he likes fish. So I decided if I was going to attempt this challenge (and just try to tell me I shouldn't) I would at least attempt a fish that he would eat. 

Me: What kind of fish do you like? 

Him: Halibut 

Me: I wonder where you can find Halibut in Utah? 

 It's a bit tricky as it turns out. You see Utah is not known for it's seafood specialties. The only thing that lives in the Great Salt Lake is Brine Shrimp and well that's food fit only for birds or other small organisms or well just not people. 

 So began the Great Fish Quest of June 2012. I would have gladly sacrificed by taking a trip to Alaska to get it fresh, but shucks I was simply short on time (and money). I learned that fresh fish should not smell fishy. So that eliminated my usual grocery stores. (excuse me while I step away from the counter) However, thanks to prompting from my facebook friends I discovered a Whole Foods market in downtown Salt Lake City. 

 Meet 'Joe' My fish guy. :) (I think he's used to people taking his picture when they buy fish...he didn't even flinch!)

And meet Hal...I named him that just for the Halibut. (I kill myself) 

A quick tip I learned when grilling halibut (works with chicken too!) I basted the fish with a light olive oil then sprinkled seasoning salt. Grilled one side for about 5 minutes, flipped and repeated. (Never flip again...it's the rule of the grill--I learned that from Bobby Flay)

To top it, I created a light and tasty fruit salsa then bedded it on some lettuce greens and slice of grilled pineapple. The meat of the fillet was a beautiful white, moist and flaky. It had great flavor. I can now say I've eaten Halibut...and I enjoyed it. My husband got his first ever fish grill for Father's Day and my kids were great sports and came a long for the ride. I even had a bit left over and had a tasting with the neighbors. Being fish connoisseurs on that side of the street I was awarded with a 2 thumbs up.

Seems I've faced a fish fear and I came out better for it. But please don't tell anyone that I don't hate fish anymore.

To continue this fishy adventure take a look at what the awesome  Carey Pace | Kingsport TN Photographer is cooking up!