Much of our vacation was spent among nature. The preschooler found hermit crabs and moon snails in the tidal flats. He was also a pro at catching butterflies in his net. The toddler was less skilled at apprehending rabbits and seagulls. However, Husband was ridiculously adept at catching crabs (the delicious kind) as well as hooking a 15-lb. snapping turtle. All were set free (including the dangerous extraction of a hook from one hissing and seriously pissed-off turtle).
I caught a few minnows, but they barely made a dent in my appetite, so I headed to the nearest fish market to stock up on some striped bass. I grilled it up on the Weber and topped it with a simple tomato, basil, and garlic salsa (seen in the picture with a Mediterranean barley salad).
I was doubtful that the preschooler would eat the bass. As a veteran of Gorton’s delicious fish tenders, he recently graduated to salmon. Still, I always worry when the name of the fish on our plates directly corresponds to something he might find in his Peterson-Field-Guides-To-Every-Living-Creature-In-The-Universe that he has committed to memory. He’s a sweet and gentle boy. I tend to call it just “fish.” The ambiguity seems to be a lot easier to swallow.
But, he overheard us refer to it as “striped bass.” “Striped bass?" he said to himself, thoughtfully. “I didn’t know we were having dead basses for dinner!” With that, he plopped himself on to his chair and grabbed his fork.
That’s my boy.
But, these? These he wouldn’t touch.
Something must be wrong with boy if he doesn't like smores!
For those of us new to fish -- what does striped bass taste like? Is it like tilipia? We know we like that one! :)
Posted by: kathy | July 10, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Well, this should have been posted with your last post, but welcome home! I missed reading.
Posted by: Susanna | July 10, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Susanna: Can't let the posts get too long or you'll start skimming.
Kathy: I dunno, what does tilapia taste like? Actually, I think I had tilapia once and it tasted like halibut. Firm and white. That's how I'd describe halibut. Some writer I am. Striped bass is...less firm and less white. Moister. I'm not helping, am I? Try it and report back with better adjectives.
Posted by: Tammy | July 10, 2007 at 09:33 PM
Wasn't that salad GOOD? I think it was the mint and the olives that made it so amazingly nummy.
I'm glad you're back - I missed you posting!
Posted by: Heath | July 10, 2007 at 09:42 PM
I've missed much in my away time.. am so happy you had a good vacation - and although I've never been there, I'm with you! From what you described about the Cape, I'd be all over it too. Right up my alley!
The fish looks SO GOOD. Will try it with the salsa AND that salad. Yum!
Strange child of yours.. no s'more? Huh.
and HAR!!! The cats are VERY VALUABLE. hahahahaa
xoxo
Posted by: Lisa | July 11, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Oh no! I didn't mean YOUR post! I meant I should have said I missed reading you at the end of your "I'm home post!" Geez, I sounded totally rude. I didn't mean that at all! Just thrilled you are back and writing so I can read!
Posted by: Susanna | July 11, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Susanna: No, my bad. Left my brain on vacation. Crap, I knew I'd forget something.
Lisa: The no s'mores thing must come from his father's side of the family. All the more for me.
Heath: Totally good. I might have missed it had you not called it out on your blog.
Posted by: Tammy | July 11, 2007 at 09:41 PM