Happy Memorial Day! The Fish Grilling Season Has Begun!
What an amazing week. Beautiful, sultry, summer-like weather in Michigan. I got out in my boat twice and caught a mess of nice bluegill and a couple decent bass. Heading into the Memorial Day weekend we’ll have some of the finest, freshest most fantastic fish and shellfish of the year for your grill!
Rhode Island black sea bass, Gulf red snapper, bronzino and Indian brook rainbow trout are just a few of the whole fish that could grace your grill this weekend. Number 1 grade bigeye tuna, swordfish and Atlantic salmon will be staked out for your pleasure. Fresh whole Point Judith squid, wild gulf shrimp, Maine lobster tails, sea scallops and some fine Glidden Point and Pemaquid oysters from the Damariscotta River in Maine for barbecuing. Fillets of bluefish, monkfish or some hook and line caught mahi mahi from Florida would all be firm enough for some fine grilling. Last but not least the star of the holiday weekend- wild Alaskan Copper River king and sockeye salmon! The fish that we dream about all winter. The absolute richest, most delicious salmon of the year.
This season we’re receiving sockeyes and some kings direct from Mans Brothers Copper River Seafood. Greg Mans, a Michigan native, along with his brother, Jeff, are sending us fish straight from the nets. Greg stopped by the market a few weeks ago, introduced himself, and his fish will be gracing our cases this weekend. When I ordered from him over the phone he sounded a bit out of breath. He was on the water fishing for our salmon. Incredible! That was a forty-year first! His dad, George, a former U of M football captain and ex Eastern Michigan football coach hand delivered the prettiest sockeyes and king salmon in the world to our door. It doesn’t get more special than that.
Here’s a simple grilled sockeye recipe for you. The sockeye fillets are smaller and leaner than the kings but the flavor is fuller. A favorite of the Japanese, these Copper River beauties will be the richest most delicious you’ve ever tasted.
Remember-buy a little extra for the world’s best leftovers: salmon salad, salmon cakes or Mike’s salmon hash.
