A true Southerner wouldn’t dare cook cornbread in anything but cast iron. This moist olive-spiked cornbread pairs perfectly with the blackened catfish. If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 Tbsp (15 mL) fresh lemon juice to 1 cup (250 mL) milk, stir, and let sit for 2 minutes.
1 1/4 cups (310 mL) coarsely ground yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup (180 mL) whole wheat pastry flour
2 Tbsp (30 mL) raw cane sugar
3/4 tsp (4 mL) salt
2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
2 tsp (10 mL) fresh rosemary, chopped
2 large free-range eggs
1 cup (250 mL) buttermilk
1/4 cup (60 mL) plus 1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3/4 cup (180 mL) Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup (125 mL) pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C) and place 9 to 10 in (23 to 25 cm) cast iron skillet inside to heat for at least 15 minutes.
In large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and rosemary. In separate bowl, lightly beat eggs and whisk in buttermilk and 1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil. Add dry to wet ingredients and fold in cheese and olives.
Remove skillet from oven. Add remaining olive oil to skillet; swirl to coat bottom and sides. Spoon batter into hot skillet, place in oven, reduce temperature to 400 F (200 C) and bake until golden and a tester inserted into centre comes out clean, about 18 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cornbread cool in skillet for 5 minutes, then turn cornbread out onto cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve warm.
Serves 8.
Each serving contains:
297 calories; 10 g protein; 14 g total fat (4 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 34 g carbohydrates; 3 g fibre; 463 mg sodium
source: "Heavy Metal", from alive #349, November 2011
These mildly spiced salmon tacos served with sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds will bring a party together. Make a small quantity of salmon go further when you pair it with a fresh red cabbage slaw featuring citrus and cilantro. Drizzled with some bright lime yogurt, the flavours come together perfectly. Sustainability status Wild salmon from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are considered among the most sustainable, as the fishery is subject to limited harvests. With salmon stocks in decline, supporting managed fisheries such as these can help maintain populations into the future. That may also mean eating salmon less often than we do now. Salmon is a favourite Salmon is the most popular variety of fish in Canada and the second most popular in the US.
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The delicate flavour of shrimp is highlighted with just a touch of lemon and a hint of mustard, while radish and celery give some fresh crunch to this dish. Eat it in lettuce cups, on top of greens, or served on whole grain bread for a filling snack. Sustainability status Both wild and farmed shrimp can be sustainable depending on where they’re caught and how they’re raised. See our article “Sea Change” for more information about choosing ethical shrimp.
Steaming fish in parchment-paper packets, also known as cooking en papillote , is a classic technique that allows you to cook all your vegetables and fish at the same time in a quick, easy, and convenient way. Flavours of lemon, garlic, and spicy dried chili make this a simple, yet showstopping meal. Sustainability status Wild-caught Pacific halibut has Ocean Wise and Marine Stewardship Council certifications and is fished using longlines, which is a more selective method of fishing that results in less bycatch. Prep party Involve family or guests in the prep and have everyone make their own packet. Once you’ve mastered the technique, it’s easy to change up the ingredients. Make sure you select vegetables that will cook at the same rate as the fish.