SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD MEAL PLANNER
Get a week’s worth of satisfying, healthy, and sustainable seafood recipes that will maximize your budget and help you minimize food waste.
Download my one week sustainable seafood meal planner!
Where to buy sustainable seafood
One of the most common questions people ask me is “where do you get your fish?“
Seafood Travel
Pescatourism is on the rise! Seafood is one of the most regional foods in the world, in which the identity of the seafood dish is strongly linked to its destination.
sustainable seafood on a budget
There’s a common misconception that seafood is a high-end, luxury product that can’t be enjoyed on a budget. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
My sustainable seafood story
My family immigrated to Canada from the Açores Islands, where small-scale fisheries are critical to food security, economic livelihoods, and cultural traditions.
Growing up in a Portuguese household, I’ve been surrounded by seafood my entire life, peeling shrimp since before I could even walk. Seafood has always been part of my personal and family identity; it’s what I expect at family gatherings, it’s the food I gravitate towards at restaurants, and it has informed where I travel.
As my academic career steered me towards marine social science and environmental governance, I became increasingly more interested in how the oceans could sustainably feed the world and continue to support the economies and cultures of coastal communities, like the one that I come from.
REcipes
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Easy, at-home Hawaiian-inspired Poke Bowls
If you've ever been to Hawaii, then you know that the poke bowl hype is real. Poke bowls are one of my favourite seafood dishes - especially on a hot day in the tropics. Poke began with fishermen seasoning the cut-offs
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Recipe: Crowd-Pleasing Creamy Lobster Dip
Picture the scene: you've been invited to a dinner party last minute. You're stuck at work and have no time to go to the grocery store before you get home. What can you whip up with ingredients that you already
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How to Make Lobster Rolls At Home
https://youtu.be/D8R7wzLuDPc Lobster rolls are another one of my favourite seafood dishes ever! There is no better dockside experience than grabbing a warm, buttery roll from a sea-side stand and indulging in fresh lobster next to the ocean. It's summer on a
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Recipe: Panko-Crusted Rockfish from British Columbia
Like most people, I’ve been doing a lot more cooking over the last six months. Admittedly, I had a bit of a rough go early on. While I’ve always appreciated culinary art, cooking has never been my strong suit. But, I’ve
-
Recipe: Pan Seared Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree
I don't know about you, but I'm definitely a seasonal eater. Almost subconsciously, my purchasing and eating habits shift in the winter to reflect the seasonality of Canadian produce. The winter months bring tons of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and
-
Recipe: Seafood Chowder
I am a firm believer that the best way to warm up on a chilly winter evening is with a warm bowl of creamy seafood chowder. This flavourful chowder recipe is the ultimate winter comfort dish. And best of all?
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I Finally Learned How to Cook — These are the most important things I learned
Like many people throughout the pandemic, I found myself spending more and more time in the kitchen. I’d never been a particularly bad cook, I just never took the time to learn how to cook or appreciate the process of preparing a meal.
-
Recipe: Healthy Lentil Mackerel Salad
I LOVE canned seafood. Not only is canned seafood often more affordable than fresh seafood, but canned seafood is incredibly versatile! Especially with all the boutique and craft canneries popping up these days, canned seafood is making a real comeback!
-
Recipe: Lobster Eggs Benedict
The long awaited blog post is finally here. Today, I am telling you exactly how I make the best breakfast EVER: Lobster Eggs Benedict. I am obsessed with eggs Benedict and of course, I'm also obsessed with seafood, so it
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Easy Fall Recipes Using Ocean’s Sustainable Tuna in Oil Products
Is canned seafood a staple in your pantry? If it's not already, it definitely should be! I always have canned seafood on hand for easy access to a healthy snack or as a quick way to add some protein to
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Simple Seafood Risotto
Some might think that seafood is a summer food, but during the colder winter months, I love incorporating seafood into some hearty comfort food dishes, like risotto. This seafood risotto is perfect for winter - cheesy, filling, and comforting. And
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Recipe: Coconut Curry Mussels
If you’re not already making mussels at home, what are you waiting for? I am OBSESSED with this recipe. Seriously, obsessed. I love mussels. They’re easily one of my favourite seafoods, but I’ve never really made them at home on my
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Raw Fish Tips: Everything you need to know about handling raw fish at home
Eating seafood raw is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy food from the sea. And most people love it! Think about poke bowls, ceviche, sushi, and carpaccio. These are all raw fish dishes that we love to enjoy. More often
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Recipe: Easy and sustainable tuna pasta salad
You know those days when you are just absolutely slammed with back to back meetings and feeling like you can't even find a minute to breathe? I know those days pretty well. Things at Seaside headquarters have been getting very
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Sustainable Seafood Snacks for Game Day 🏈
Football season is officially back and no matter who cheer for, there's one thing we can all agree on: great game day snacks are key to any successful watch party. In this post, I've rounded up a handful of my
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Recipe: Sustainable Fish Tacos
These fish tacos are one of my go-to recipes, whether we're having a quiet night in or hosting a family gathering, because it comes together quickly and it always gets amazing reviews. These fish tacos are so flavorful and satisfying
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My go-to salmon seasoning
This is hands down my favourite way to season a sustainable salmon filet at home! My go-to salmon seasoning This is my favourite way to season salmon at home. Perfect for entertaining, date night, or a quick weeknight dinner. It's brushed in
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Tinned Fish Date Night At Home: A Step-By-Step Guide
Hot girls eat tinned fish. This was the tagline that dominated social media last summer when the tinned fish craze truly kicked off. People started sharing videos of their tinned fish hauls, unique tinned fish recipes, and of course, tinned fish date
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Fish for Breakfast: The best seafood recipes to start your day
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of breakfast foods, but it is a super tasty and healthy option and honestly, my favourite way to start the day. Seafood is packed with nutrients that
BLOG Posts
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Oysters, lobsters, eels – Maine is seafood tourism
I finally took my first trip to Maine. I know, it’s WILD that I’ve never been here before, considering it is the seafood mecca of the United States. During my trip, I took a deep dive into Maine’s oyster farming industry and
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Fish for Breakfast: The best seafood recipes to start your day
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of breakfast foods, but it is a super tasty and healthy option and honestly, my favourite way to start the day. Seafood is packed with nutrients that
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Tinned Fish Date Night At Home: A Step-By-Step Guide
Hot girls eat tinned fish. This was the tagline that dominated social media last summer when the tinned fish craze truly kicked off. People started sharing videos of their tinned fish hauls, unique tinned fish recipes, and of course, tinned fish date
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How do farmed salmon REALLY get their colour?
The colour of salmon flesh has been a widely debated and frankly, a widely misunderstood topic for quite some time. With the increasing importance of farmed seafood (it now accounts for more than half the seafood we eat!) and the rapid
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The Ultimate Gift Guide for Seafood Lovers
While it's easy to be obsessed with seafood, it can sometimes to be difficult to find that perfect gift for the seafoodie in your life (and that includes yourself!).To help you find the perfect gift for the seafood lover in
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Recipe: Sustainable Fish Tacos
These fish tacos are one of my go-to recipes, whether we're having a quiet night in or hosting a family gathering, because it comes together quickly and it always gets amazing reviews. These fish tacos are so flavorful and satisfying
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Sustainable Seafood Snacks for Game Day 🏈
Football season is officially back and no matter who cheer for, there's one thing we can all agree on: great game day snacks are key to any successful watch party. In this post, I've rounded up a handful of my
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Best mussels in the world? Aquaculture leaders in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador is a leader in sustainable aquaculture, producing some of the greatest shellfish in Canada. I recently had the opportunity to take my first trip out to the province to see this shellfish aquaculture firsthand. I visited both an
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What is a community supported fishery? + why you should join one!
Community supported fisheries are one of the best ways to access sustainable seafood and support local fishermen. Trust me, I know. The entire focus of my master’s thesis and other research that I did in grad school focussed on community supported
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Recipe: Sustainable Tuna Fish Fritters
I am both a creature of habit and a bit of a lazy cook. Which often means that I end up making the same simple recipes over and over again. Luckily though, this job forces me outside of my comfort
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Exploring Portugal’s Sardine Tradition with Pinhais
A visit to Portugal is not complete without enjoying one of the country's most prized culinary delights: sardines. Tinned seafood has become just as trendy as chokers in the 90s. With creative tin designs and the promise of providing a high-quality,
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Talking Tuna: How they’re caught, how stocks are managed, and what species to look for
Tuna is one of the most eaten fish in the world, but is also one of the most misunderstood fish in the world - especially when it comes to understanding whether or not tuna is sustainable. There are actually five main
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Sustainable Seafood Exists: How Fisheries Management Makes it Possible
Since the popularity of Seaspiracy, some consumers are wondering whether or not sustainable fishing and sustainable seafood really exist. I’ve debunked the film on my blog and in fact, I partnered with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in the fall of
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Kauai Seafood Picks
Kauai is for foodies. Surrounded by crystal clear blue waters in the Pacific Ocean, and home to a strong traditional fishing culture, Kauai is a hotspot for fresh, high-quality seafood.At every corner of the island you’ll find an abundant selection of
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Honolulu Tuna Auction: The Largest Fish Auction in the United States
The Honolulu Tuna Auction is an institution in Hawaii. While it might not seem like a traditional activity to add onto your Hawaiian itinerary, this unique auction is definitely worth a visit while in Hawaii! This tuna auction, modelled after
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A Reflection on the Our Ocean Conference 2022
30,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean with Mia Kami’s “Rooted” blaring through my headphones, I can’t believe that my time at the 7th Our Ocean Conference in Palau has finally come to a close. Earlier this year, I was selected as
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Recipe: Easy and sustainable tuna pasta salad
You know those days when you are just absolutely slammed with back to back meetings and feeling like you can't even find a minute to breathe? I know those days pretty well. Things at Seaside headquarters have been getting very
-
Everything you need to know about the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program for farmed seafood
Have you come across the BAP logo on a seafood product at the grocery store? This BAP logo represents the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program - the world’s most comprehensive third-party certification program for farmed seafood covering the entire aquaculture production chain
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The truth about farmed Canadian salmon
Canada’s salmon farmers are responsible stewards of the oceans.
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SENA2022: Highlights from the Boston Seafood Show
The Seafood Expo North America returned in person this year after a COVID hiatus. After two years of cancellations, the seafood industry finally reconvened in Boston for the 2022 North American Seafood Expo. This was my first time at the show and
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Raw Fish Tips: Everything you need to know about handling raw fish at home
Eating seafood raw is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy food from the sea. And most people love it! Think about poke bowls, ceviche, sushi, and carpaccio. These are all raw fish dishes that we love to enjoy. More often
-
Recipe: Coconut Curry Mussels
If you’re not already making mussels at home, what are you waiting for? I am OBSESSED with this recipe. Seriously, obsessed. I love mussels. They’re easily one of my favourite seafoods, but I’ve never really made them at home on my
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Fishing Gear Types & Sustainability
Have you ever wondered exactly how your seafood is harvested? There are many different ways to harvest wild seafood and each way plays a significant role in the sustainability of our seafood. Gear selection also plays a major role in
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Seafood Myths to Stop Believing
Seafood can be confusing. For many, the ocean is out of sight and out of mind. But these common seafood myths, exaggerated by the media about seafood consumption, are simply untrue. Seafood is a luxury food item. Seafood is the most affordable and accessible
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A Seafoodie’s Guide to Panama City
With Panama’s lengthy coastline, it’s no wonder that seafood figures prominently in Panamanian cuisine. This thin stretch of Central America is flanked by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, meaning it has a ton to offer in terms of seafood. Though
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2022 Sustainable Seafood Trends
Fresh and frozen seafood hit record sales in 2021, and seafood industry analysts expect the positive sales trend to continue. I, for one, am incredibly excited to see more and more people incorporating seafood into their diets. I’ve said it over
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What do young people really think about seafood?
What do young consumers really think about blue foods? I unpacked this question during a panel discussion hosted by Mowi, onboard the One Ocean Expedition in Miami. In case you missed it, here were some of my main takeaways. Psssst, if you’re a seafood
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Simple Seafood Risotto
Some might think that seafood is a summer food, but during the colder winter months, I love incorporating seafood into some hearty comfort food dishes, like risotto. This seafood risotto is perfect for winter - cheesy, filling, and comforting. And
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Aquaculture and the Future of Blue Foods
Expanding mariculture production to increase the availability of blue foods around the world can make a meaningful contribution to the nutritious, sustainable and just food systems of the future.
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Reflecting on the One Ocean Expedition
My time onboard the One Ocean Expedition has finally come to a close. Since I’ve arrived back on dry land in Canada, I’ve been reflecting a lot on this experience. It’s been challenging to find the right words to describe
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Farmed Salmon Myths Debunked by a Fisheries Scientist
Right before I left for the One Ocean Expedition with Mowi, Dalhousie University released findings of an interesting study, revealing that while Canadians love salmon, they don’t know enough about it! One of the main goals I had during this project
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The One Ocean Expedition has Arrived in Miami
Wow, I can’t believe we’ve made it to Miami - my final stop onboard the One Ocean Expedition. It feels bittersweet that this journey is coming to an end. I can’t believe how fast time has gone by! On this leg from
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The One Ocean Expedition has Arrived in Nassau
The One Ocean Expedition has finally arrived in Nassau, Bahamas! We successfully travelled more than 500 nautical miles from La Habana, Cuba, most of it under sail, to get here. It’s been difficult to find the words to explain the last few
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Kicking off the One Ocean Expedition with Mowi
In case you missed it, this week I made a live announcement about an incredible new project that I’m working on with Mowi and the One Ocean Expedition. Mowi is one of the world’s largest seafood companies and the One
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Mali Ston Bay: The Ultimate Croatian Oyster Experience
An hour north of Croatia’s bustling city of Dubrovnik, is a quiet town called Ston. Small, but mighty, Ston is home to one of the longest fortress systems in Europe, an ancient salt making tradition, and a delicious oyster growing
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Q&A with the Marine Stewardship Council
Welcome to the final week of my National Seafood Month campaign with the Marine Stewardship Council. Over the last six weeks the MSC and I have been working together to educate consumers all about sustainable seafood and the MSC certification program.
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A Spotlight on Seafood Tourism in Canada
If I had to describe my niche in one word, it would be pescatourism. Pescatourism, or seafood tourism, refers to experiences that combine fisheries and tourism. It’s a relatively new development in sustainable tourism, having been established in the early
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Sustainable Caviar Production on Canada’s East Coast
When you think of caviar, you probably don’t think of Canada. Most of the world’s caviar is produced in Russia and China, and not always in the most sustainable or ethical ways. But, in Carter’s Point, New Brunswick, one family is
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How to pair red wine and seafood
Seafood and wine are a perfect pair. Personally, I’m a seasonal wine drinker. In the colder months, I find myself gravitating more towards red wine than white. There’s just something about a glass of Cabernet Franc and a snowy winter evening
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The MSC & sustainable seafood: How to buy sustainable seafood
Over the last few weeks, the MSC and I have been working together to celebrate National Seafood Month. If you’ve been following along, by this point you have likely read about the MSC certification process, how their blue fish ecolabel
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5 ways to restore our oceans through seafood
Did you know that eating seafood can actually help restore the oceans? Yep, it’s true. Eating seafood can support healthy aquatic ecosystems and sustainable fisheries management. If you eat the right seafood, that is. Choosing sustainable seafood can help marine ecosystems flourish
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Easy Fall Recipes Using Ocean’s Sustainable Tuna in Oil Products
Is canned seafood a staple in your pantry? If it's not already, it definitely should be! I always have canned seafood on hand for easy access to a healthy snack or as a quick way to add some protein to
-
Recipe: Lobster Eggs Benedict
The long awaited blog post is finally here. Today, I am telling you exactly how I make the best breakfast EVER: Lobster Eggs Benedict. I am obsessed with eggs Benedict and of course, I'm also obsessed with seafood, so it
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Farmed salmon: Everything you need to know
Farmed salmon has been a controversial topic, but advances in technology and innovation have resulted in a more sustainable aquaculture product. Here’s everything you need to know about farmed salmon.
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Shediac Bay Lobster Cruise: A One-of-a-Kind Canadian Seafood Experience
This summer, I set out on a mission to find the best Canadian seafood and the coolest Canadian seafood experiences. My mission was accomplished in Shediac Bay, New Brunswick. On a rainy August afternoon, my friends and I made the quick
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A Quick Guide to North American Salmon
Salmon is one of the most popular fish for consumption in North America. But, the average consumer probably knows little about the pink fish on their dinner plate. The Pacific Ocean is home to six types of salmon, and in
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The impacts of seafood mislabelling on sustainability
Over the last few weeks, the Testing DNA Testing Supply Chains project has been shining a spotlight on seafood fraud and mislabelling in Canada. In one of our earlier posts, we spoke about the multitude of impacts that mislabelling has
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Embracing invasive and underutilized seafood (GIVEAWAY)
Did you know that eating seafood can actually help the marine environment? Eating certain types of seafood can protect marine ecosystems from predators, helping to preserve coral reefs and native fish populations. Eating invasive species is one of the best things
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Recipe: Healthy Lentil Mackerel Salad
I LOVE canned seafood. Not only is canned seafood often more affordable than fresh seafood, but canned seafood is incredibly versatile! Especially with all the boutique and craft canneries popping up these days, canned seafood is making a real comeback!
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Oyster Bars in Toronto to Check Out This Summer
“Give a good person a good oyster and you’ll have 'em forever." It may not be close to the ocean, but Toronto is home to some incredible oyster bars that serve the freshest, high quality oysters from across the world. These
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I Finally Learned How to Cook — These are the most important things I learned
Like many people throughout the pandemic, I found myself spending more and more time in the kitchen. I’d never been a particularly bad cook, I just never took the time to learn how to cook or appreciate the process of preparing a meal.
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SEASPIRACY: What’s the real catch?
The talk of the ocean world is Seaspiracy, a Netflix Original film produced by the same team responsible for Cowspiracy and What the Health. Like those two previous films, Seaspiracy is full of misinformation and has been panned by actual
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How to enjoy seafood on a budget
Seafood is not a luxury food item. I feel obligated to get that out into the open right away. There's a common misconception that seafood is a high-end, luxury product that can't be enjoyed on a budget. But that couldn't
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Recipe: Seafood Chowder
I am a firm believer that the best way to warm up on a chilly winter evening is with a warm bowl of creamy seafood chowder. This flavourful chowder recipe is the ultimate winter comfort dish. And best of all?
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Holiday Gift Guide for Seafood Lovers
I'll admit, seafood might be a niche thing to be obsessed with a a little bit difficult to shop for.To help you find the perfect gift for the seafood lover in your life this holiday season, I've rounded up a
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Recipe: Pan Seared Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree
I don't know about you, but I'm definitely a seasonal eater. Almost subconsciously, my purchasing and eating habits shift in the winter to reflect the seasonality of Canadian produce. The winter months bring tons of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and
-
Recipe: Panko-Crusted Rockfish from British Columbia
Like most people, I’ve been doing a lot more cooking over the last six months. Admittedly, I had a bit of a rough go early on. While I’ve always appreciated culinary art, cooking has never been my strong suit. But, I’ve
-
Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar puts the spotlight on Canadian seafood
When you think of Prince Edward County, you might not immediately think of seafood, but Nicole and Nathan Hynes of Sand and Pearl Oyster Bar are changing that and putting Canadian seafood on the map in the heart of Canada's youngest wine
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You can eat fish and save the oceans: Simplifying sustainable seafood
My entire career has been built on my ability to hold a grudge. I’ve always had a fondness for the ocean, which can be linked to my cultural heritage and its close ties to the sea. My family is from the
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5 websites where Canadians can order sustainable seafood online
Wondering where you can find quality, sustainable seafood in Canada? I've got you covered. Trying to buy sustainable seafood today can be a dizzying mess of ecolabels, ranking guides, and an overwhelming amount of contradictory information. The anxiety of wondering what
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How to Make Lobster Rolls At Home
https://youtu.be/D8R7wzLuDPc Lobster rolls are another one of my favourite seafood dishes ever! There is no better dockside experience than grabbing a warm, buttery roll from a sea-side stand and indulging in fresh lobster next to the ocean. It's summer on a
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Recipe: Crowd-Pleasing Creamy Lobster Dip
Picture the scene: you've been invited to a dinner party last minute. You're stuck at work and have no time to go to the grocery store before you get home. What can you whip up with ingredients that you already
-
Easy, at-home Hawaiian-inspired Poke Bowls
If you've ever been to Hawaii, then you know that the poke bowl hype is real. Poke bowls are one of my favourite seafood dishes - especially on a hot day in the tropics. Poke began with fishermen seasoning the cut-offs
-
A History of Bacalhau in Portugal + Is it Sustainable to Eat Codfish?
What is bacalhau? Bacalhau is codfish that has been salted and dried in the sun. This ancient preservation method allows the cod to be stored indefinitely at ambient temperatures, without the worry of bacteria or mold growing on the highly
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How COVID-19 can catalyze a shift towards a more localized, transparent seafood industry
Do you know where your fish comes from? It may come as a shock to learn that the majority of Canadian seafood is exported and the small percentage of the catch that does stay in the country is mostly destined for restaurants. With
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Sustainability Meets Fine Dining at the Best Restaurant in Maui: Mama’s Fish House
Synonymous with fine dining in Hawaii, Mama’s Fish House delivers excellent, sustainably sourced, authentic seafood cuisine. It would almost be an understatement to call Mama's an iconic dining option on the island of Maui. Family owned and operated since 1973,
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10 of the best places in the world to eat seafood
Archeological records suggest that humans have been preparing and eating seafood for at least 165,000 years - and I think it’s safe to say we’ve gotten pretty good at it. Some of the world’s greatest delicacies come from our oceans,
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Bonaire Dining: My Top Picks
When I travelled to Bonaire last month, I was absolutely blown away. I had high expectations before my trip, having heard so many good things about the island, but Bonaire was something beyond even my wildest dreams. Not only was
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Where to Eat in Key Largo
The Florida Keys offer a dining experience unlike anywhere else in the world. Fresh seafood, craft beer, and unbeatable restaurant atmospheres. Key Largo is definitely the Florida Key that I've spent the most time in and eating is one of my