Simple Shrimp dish from Marco Island

Wednesday morning farm market on Marco Island offers lots of fresh and delicious ingredients.  Also lots of prepared foods like Paella, Jamaican Jerk dishes, Italian sausages, etc. last week we picked up a very few goodies and made a dinner u can put together anytime, anywhere.

A pound of pink fresh shrimp, easily shelled and deveined.

Fresh tomatoes (seasons started here and will move north). Seasoned and grilled.

Season and grill shrimp as well. Only takes a few minutes.

Buy some local corn, arugula, and basil.

Chop basil and sprinkle over grilled shrimp and tomatoes.  Nuke corn for 3 minutes.

Chow down and serve a nice bottle of vino.

Roast chicken with mushrooms and artichokes

Damn, does my house smell great!  A

Repeat of the Dinna Gilbin chicken dish that they shared on The Chew a couple months ago.  Big flavors, easy prep.  Hard to screw up chicken thighs on the bone.  Steamed zucchini and red pepper. 

A top 100 wine from the Wine Spectator list at $27.  

Tile fish poached in Mussel Sauce

Barb made some really nice mussels in a wine, herb and chopped tomato sauce.  As discussed previously, 5 lbs is perfect for 2 people when not served over pasta.

We saved the sauce for who knew what.

We knew 2 days later when she went to the fish store and they had just caught some Tile Fish which they sold as filets.

Barb decided to poach them in the leftover mussel sauce.  She added a little wine to add some volume, then brought it to a gentle simmer.

Gotta have something green!  Roasted asparagus.

Bearboat Chardonnay.  They also make a nice Pinot Noir.  Both are usually under $20. 

Florid winters ain't so bad.

Paella at Jodi and Gary's

Some truly wonderful and sick Paella made by Jodi Nack  great Valentines day with friends. 

Last bottles of Richard Perry Cab 97 and 98 on the east coast.

Fun night, great food. 

Captain Marco's Seafood - New find Cuban Restaurant in Naples

We've been passing this cute place for two years and have been meaning to give it a try.  It got 4 1/2 stars on Tripadvisor.  Last night we finally gave it a shot.

Walk in and see some really nice fish and seafood on display.  Our reservation was honored, so we got seated immediately.  Brought a very big Petit Syrah.  They have a $10 corkage fee.  Very reasonable.  Their wine choices are very limited so I recommend u BYO.

Waitresses were very sweet and enthusiastic about the food.  

Cuban food included ceviches, fish, pork and beef choices.

Started by sharing the mixed fish and shrimp ceviche.  It was very fresh, spicy,

And had some coconut milk along with the lime, onions, etc.  we loved it.

Barb always goes the healthier route and had Mahi Mahi with vegetables that were nicely prepped along with asparagus.

  I ordered the roasted pork shoulder with yellow rice and plantains. 

 They also brought me some of the best onion rings I've ever had.  

The waitress told us if we gave a "like" on Facebook, we'd get a free order of Flan.  Since we had loved our meal, we did so and got a delicious Flan for dessert.  Forgot to take a picture.  

Total damage with 20% tip: $68.

Roasted skate, simple and healthy

Picked up some Skate wing at the fish market today.  I love the fish, but cooking it in the traditional style, over high heat in a brown butter sauce is a huge mess for a home dinner.  Barb has only done it for the two of us and moaned the whole time about the clean up.

Today I found a recipe for "baked skate with oven roasted vegetables" on the internet at www.chicaandaluza.com.  Barb had Brussels sprouts on hand along with onion, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and whatever else you want.  Also used Wegman's basting oil which always comes in handy.  

Ready to put in the oven.  180C translates into 356F.  She started

With just the veggies at 400F for 20 minutes, then added the seasoned fish and lemons covered at 355F for

another 25 minutes.  Great meal!

Served with a WesMar Pinot Noir, 2008, Russian River.  Boutique wine by the daughter from Williams Salyem.  Her name is Denise.  You can call her at her winery in Sebastopol and order her wine direct.  It's great.

New Year's Eve at home in Naples

Our daughter Marla and her hubby David and 3 daughters joined us for a week of fun and chasing around.

Kids went to sleep before the good stuff came out.

3 lbs of large stone crabs.

Gotta breath the wine and filets.

Barb's Greek salad. Onions and olives added individually for our picky eater.

Filets done right. Also Martha F-in Stewarts recipe for Roasted Fingerlings.

And a homemade mushroom sauce with wine. 

Roasted zucchini and tomatoes with herbs.

Bad picture of happy people.  

Happy, healthy New Year to all.