Make Ahead Freezer Soup Starters

Make soup anytime without braving travel in wintry weather. Turn extra veggies, great grocery deals or Farm Market finds into easily stored freezer soup starter kits.  What’s nice about this idea is you can use these in soups, casseroles or puree to make a veggie slurry to thicken sauces and soups.

For this particular one I used chicken stock, but water or veggie stock would be fine.
freezer harvest soup ingredients
I don’t season the vegetables, that way it gives me more options for meals. If you are not using stock, a little salt and pepper is fine.

Cut your vegetables in sizes according to how fast they cook. You will only be blanching the batch for a few minutes.
freezer harvest soup ingredients chopped
I add the vegetables to a saucepan and only use enough liquid to cover by about 1/2 inch.
freezer harvest soup cook
Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 2 minutes. You want the veggies to be crisp tender. They will cook a little more after you remove them from the heat.

Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate to quick cool.

I like freezer bags over containers. Label and date the bags. I use the same method for filling the bags that I use to fill pastry bags.
freezer harvest soup bag
Drape the bag over a cup or bowl and fill with cold mix.
freezer harvest soup fill bag glass
I love this ladle with drain holes!
freezer harvest soup ladle
Squeeze out excess air and seal. Lay the bags flat in the freezer until totally frozen.

Viola! Your soup kits are ready for your next culinary masterpiece!
freezer harvest soup kit bag
Freezing individual vegetables is also a good idea. You can just take out what you need as you make a meal. I’ll freeze greens as is and throw a few handfuls into dishes to add color, taste and nutrition.
freezer harvest soup greens
A version of this post was originally published in 2014.

Posted in soup, vegetables, What's For Dinner? | Comments Off on Make Ahead Freezer Soup Starters

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon #SitkaSalmonShares

I received fresh catch samples from Sitka Salmon Shares to review. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon serves tender, flaky Alaskan salmon topped with light, buttery tangy lemon dill crumbs. Delicious hot or cold.

Last week I was so happy to introduce a wonderful fresh catch fish company to you that is family owned and practices sustainable harvest of Alaskan wild fish.
Today I’m sharing a new salmon recipe with you. First I’d like you to know more about the company and a special offer from Sitka Salmon Shares.

Sitka Salmon Shares

sitka logo
Here’s more about Sitka Salmon Shares!

Sitka Salmon Shares Is:

  • Wild: Wild-caught from the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska and the North Pacific
  • Sustainable: Harvested using hook-and-line methods to minimize negative ecological impact
  • Traceable: Our relationships ensure that your fish is traceable to the boats of our fishermen-owners and trusted community partners
  • Fishermen-centered: Individually caught by one of our fisherman-owners or partner fishermen (who we hope are on their way to ownership!). Fishermen ownership makes us distinct from our competition and creates a more just system that values hard work, high-quality fish and low-impact harvesting methods.
  • Just: Our fishermen receive an average of 20-30% more for their harvest, which can equate to $10,000 extra income in a given season
  • Premium: Blast-frozen at the peak of freshness to ensure the highest quality, guaranteed
  • Convenient: Home delivered directly to your door, with recipes and a newsletter about the fishermen who caught that month’s share
  • Conscious: Carbon offsets purchased and 1% of revenue donated to efforts promoting small-scale fisheries and conservation in Alaska.

Also, I wanted to offer you a special discount code – SITKA25 directly from Sitka! This code will take $25 off any 2020 Premium Sitka Seafood Share.

Connect with Sitka Salmon Shares on social media for updates and offers!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sitkasalmonshares/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SitkaSalmonShares/

Make the crumbs first by lightly browning the bread crumbs in a small skillet with fresh dill, butter and a little Kosher salt and a dash of lemon pepper.

I feel the crumbs help keep the top of the fish moist. See how easily it flakes.

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon

Lemon Dill Crusted Salmon

Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb salmon filet (I use Sitka Salmon Shares)
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • cooking spray
  • seasoned crumbs
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp lemon dill seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a cooking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Place salmon skin side down on prepared sheet. Season fish with lemon pepper and salt.
  • Heat small fry pan over medium heat. Add butter and melt, Add breadcrumbs, dill, lemon pepper and salt. Stir to coat with butter.
  • Top salmon with crumbs, about 1/4-inch thick. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Serve with your favorite side.

I also baked a delicious Sitka Salmon filet for dinner and used leftover salmon for a delicious salmon salad!

baked salmon

Cod in Creamy Garlic Shrimp Sauce

Here’s the Cod with Creamy Roasted Garlic Shrimp Sauce recipe made with Sitka Salmon Shares fresh catch cod.

What is your favorite way to prepare salmon? I’d love to hear your ideas in a comment below!

Posted in fish, food club, salmon, seafood, What's For Dinner? | Tagged | 1 Comment

Cod with Creamy Roasted Garlic Shrimp Sauce #SitkaSalmonShares

I received fresh catch samples from Sitka Salmon Shares to review. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.

Cod with Creamy Roasted Garlic Shrimp Sauce serves tender, flaky baked cod covered with a creamy, smoky garlic sauce. Chunks of shrimp add a briny flavor to the sauce.
Cod in Creamy Garlic Shrimp Sauce

I’m so happy to introduce a wonderful fresh catch fish company to you that is family owned and practices sustainable harvest of Alaskan wild fish.

Sitka Salmon Shares

sitka logo
Here’s more about Sitka Salmon Shares!

Sitka Salmon Shares Is:

  • Wild: Wild-caught from the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska and the North Pacific
  • Sustainable: Harvested using hook-and-line methods to minimize negative ecological impact
  • Traceable: Our relationships ensure that your fish is traceable to the boats of our fishermen-owners and trusted community partners
  • Fishermen-centered: Individually caught by one of our fisherman-owners or partner fishermen (who we hope are on their way to ownership!). Fishermen ownership makes us distinct from our competition and creates a more just system that values hard work, high-quality fish and low-impact harvesting methods.
  • Just: Our fishermen receive an average of 20-30% more for their harvest, which can equate to $10,000 extra income in a given season
  • Premium: Blast-frozen at the peak of freshness to ensure the highest quality, guaranteed
  • Convenient: Home delivered directly to your door, with recipes and a newsletter about the fishermen who caught that month’s share
  • Conscious: Carbon offsets purchased and 1% of revenue donated to efforts promoting small-scale fisheries and conservation in Alaska.

Also, I wanted to offer you a special discount code – SITKA25 directly from Sitka! This code will take $25 off any 2020 Premium Sitka Seafood Share.

Connect with Sitka Salmon Shares on social media for updates and offers!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sitkasalmonshares/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SitkaSalmonShares/

Sitka Cod

This cod filet baked beautifully.  I know it would taste equally good pan fried, breaded or deep fried.

Cod with Creamy Roasted Garlic Shrimp Sauce

My creamy roasted garlic sauce has a pinch of smoked paprika and smoked salt which compliments seafood so well.

**To roast garlic, preheat oven to 350. Cut stem end off garlic, rub with oil, wrap in foil and bake until cloves are soft and golden brown. (about 30 minutes)

I served this dish over multigrain rice and added peas to make it a complete meal. It would work just as well alone or with your favorite side.

Cod in Creamy Garlic Shrimp Sauce

Cod with Creamy Roasted Garlic Shrimp Sauce

Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb cod filet (I use Sitka Shares)
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp smoked salt
  • cooking spray
  • sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter, unsalted
  • 1/4 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp roasted garlic
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup cooked peas, optional
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley optional for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray paper with cooking spray.
  • Season cod with paprika and smoked salt. place on prepared baking sheet. Bake at 425 for approximately 20 minutes until fish flakes and internal temperature reaches 145.
  • sauce
  • Melt butter in medium-sized fry pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and roasted garlic and fry until shrimp are translucent, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate.
  • Add half and half and salt to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and reduce sauce to desired consistency, stirring often as needed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Return shrimp to pan and cook until thoroughly heated. Top cooked cod with sauce. Add peas and parsley garnish if desired.






Which Alaskan fish is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

Posted in fish, food club, fresh ingredients, seafood, shrimp, What's For Dinner? | Tagged | Comments Off on Cod with Creamy Roasted Garlic Shrimp Sauce #SitkaSalmonShares

Brats and Beans Soup

Brats and Beans Soup is a quick, easy soup for a busy weeknight or weekend lunch.

beef brats and beans soup bowl

I’m a big fan of soup anytime of year. When cold weather sets in, soup tops my list. Using fully cooked meats like brats, smoked sausage or kielbasa adds a bit of texture and smoky flavor to soups and stews.

Beef brats or smoked sausage work especially well in this recipe. You can easily substitute turkey varieties or go meatless!

Brats and Bean Soup

Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb smoked beef brats, cut into bite-sized pieces average 4 per package
  • 15.5 ounce can black beans, drained
  • 3 cups white potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 32 ounces beef broth purchased or homemade
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 1 each medium onion, chopped
  • 1 each beef or vegetable bouillon cube
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring broth, potatoes, onions and brats to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Add kale and seasonings. Cook until potatoes, onions and kale are tender.
  • Stir in beans and heat thoroughly. Serve with crusty bread if desired.

Enjoy more easy soup recipes to chase the winter chills away!

Beef Noodle Soup

Beef Noodle Soup

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Ground Turkey and Noodle Soup

Ground Turkey Noodle Soup.

Which soup is your go to winter favorite? I would love to hear your ideas in a comment below!

Posted in beans, beef, soup, What's For Dinner? | Comments Off on Brats and Beans Soup