Make your own "Green Flash" at Sunset

I bet you have either seen or heard of the optical phenomena called the "Green Flash".  Like many others across the globe and those who live in the Florida Keys, I continue my search for this brilliant emerald colored flash in the sky that occurs at sunset or sunrise, like the one pictured below.  

Just by searching for the "Green Flash" entitles you to its treasures; memories and the promise of a coming day.

Sometimes a person just has to make their own "Green Flash".

Make it Happen!

Cheers!

Ryan

Sharks Love Lionfish!

Greetings from the Florida Keys,

Check out the latest news from Two Starfish Seafood!

Sharks Loving the Lionfish!

Visit our newsletter by clicking here.

Have a great day!

Ryan

Chili from Emerald Cove to the Florida Keys

Every Fall I make chili from a new recipe. In the fall of 2010 I made my first batch of  Key West Black Bean Chili and absolutely loved it. When my friend Michelle from Emerald Cove Jewerly mentioned that she was making chili last Sunday, I got a craving for my first batch of Fall chili.

I just knew Michelle had a recipe that I had never tried nor heard of. I was right. She gratiously sent me a new chili recipe that looks awesome.

White Chicken Chilli by Emerald Cove

1 tbsp olive or veg oil

1 med onion, chopped (1/2)

1 can (10 3/4oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 can (14oz) chicken broth

1 cup water

2 cups diced deli rotisserie chicken

2 cans (15 to 16 oz each) great northern beans, drained, rinsed

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso chopped green chilies, undrained

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 cup sour cream if desired

chopped fresh cilantro if desired

In a 4-quart sausepan, heat oil over med-high heat. Add onions and bell pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until tender.

Stir in soup, broth and water. Cook 1-2 min, stirring frequently, until smooth and well blended. Stir in Chicken, beans, chilies, oregano and cumin. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to med-low. Cook uncovered 10 to 15 min, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. Top each swerving with sour cream and cilantro

Michelle does this all in her dutch oven on her stove and she says the rotisserie chicken tastes amazing.  

I am looking forward to trying out this new recipe.  Michelle thank you again for sharing, very cool!

Ryan

Florida Stone Crab Claws Ordering Begins on October 15th 2011

Scrumptious tasting Florida stone crabs claws return to our Two Starfish Seafood menu via our online store on October 15th 2011.
 

Stone crab claw meat has a sweet taste with a firm texture, making it a unique Florida culinary seafood delicacy.  

The Florida Keys harvest more than 3.1 million pounds of stone crabs during the season, almost half of the state’s average annual harvest.

Fishing methods used to catch Florida stone crabs are very unique. Unlike other crab fishing methods, stone crab fishermen take only the claws of stone crabs and return the live stone crab back to the ocean so it can regenerate it claws.  

According to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Committee, the released stone crabs will begin to regenerate their harvested claws the next time they molt, which typically occurs every 18 months. This method of harvest ensures the long-term sustainability of this well managed Florida fishery.

Below is one of my favorite Stone Crab Recipes.  I am really looking forward to October 15.

Stone Crabs Miami Vice

• 3 pounds Florida stone crab claws
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup extra-dry vermouth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Instructions

Crack claws and remove shell and movable pincer, leaving the meat attached to the remaining pincer. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add stone crab claws and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through, turning claws frequently. Turn heat to high; add vermouth, lemon juice, salt and pepper to pan. Cook 1 minute more, spooning vermouth sauce over claws. Serve claws hot or cold as an appetizer or entrée.

The Florida stone crab season will run though May 15th 2012.

Ryan

NFL Game Day: Packers vs. Bears!

It’s NFL Sunday Fun Day!

Today my favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers, square off against their 87 year rivals, the Chicago Bears. 

Before moving the Florida Keys, I made the pilgrimage to Green Bay, WI to watch a Packer game. The wind chill was -20 F & , but I kept warm by drinking plenty Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. 

A vintage Pabst Blue Ribbon sign; in the quintessential Wisconsin bar tradition.

What a experience! Even if you not a Packer Fan, I highly recommend you make a pilgrimage to Green Bay, WI to watch your favorite team play against the Green Bay Packers within the friendly confines of Lambeau stadium, you will not be dissappointed.

When I found out my talented friend Michelle over at Emerald Cove Jewelry is a Chicago Bears fan, I could not resist posting this video for her.   Michelle, may the best team win. GO PACK GO!

Have an awesome Sunday NFL Fun Day

Ryan

My Morning Bliss & Tropcial Reflecting

I took with me one ritual from the corporate world, my Friday morning “coffee bliss”. On Friday mornings, just prior to starting my work day, I sat in my cubical, sipped on my coffee and listened to music of Jimmy Buffet and the Dave Mathews.  All the while gazing at my favorite collection of cut out calendar pictures of beaches, boats, and big fish from the Florida Keys that I taped to my cubical walls.

Below are some pictures what my Friday "coffee bliss" now looks like here in the Florida Keys.

.

"Bliss"

The Gulf of Mexico was "Grease Calm" this Friday morning.

New crop of coconuts, very cool watching these guys grow.

My Favorite Coconut Tree

A former crazy boss lady once asked me to remove the calendar pictures from my cubical walls.  In polite way I told her to go to hell. I remember listening to Donald Trump speak in Miami at a convention a couple years ago, he said "Don't get mad, just get even". That lady is probably still sitting at her desk staring at her empty cubical walls, by the way I still have those calendar pictures. Ahh bliss... 

Enjoy your day!

Ryan 

Hump Day Key Lime Cake and Crab Watching

When I woke up this morning I had a craving for a sweet tasting Key Lime frosted pastry. So, while out running errands this afternoon I decided stopped by the only little chocolate shop in the Florida Keys, the Key Largo Chocolate Company, located at MM 99 in Key Largo.

Key Largo Chocolates

While shopping, I learned that they had recently returned from the Philadelphia Candy and Gourmet Show, bringing back with them a 2nd place win for their Key Lime Mousse in a Chocolate shell! I left with a minature Key Lime Cake and it was awesome!

I enjoy watching the Florida Blue Crabs that live underneath our pier on Florida Bay.  Below are a photos.

Chilling Out

More Crabs

 Our Pier

I hope everyone had a great "hump day"!

Ryan

A Day of Tropical Fruit Wine Tasting off the Florida Keys

Take a second…close your eyes, and imagine breathtaking views of tropical fruit and orchid fields stretching as far as the eye can see.  In the distance you spot a small sign that says “winery”. 

 Schnebly Redland's Winery

This is not an imaginary place.  It can be found between Miami and the Florida Keys. It’s called the Historic Redland Tropical Trail and is named after its’ fertile red clay.  The red clay in this sub tropical region of South Florida yields impressive tropical fruits, orchids, vegetables and even coffee beans.  On the way to Miami last Saturday, we visited the historic Schnebly Redland's Winery. Let’s just say we will be going back very soon!

Grand Tasting Room

The winery setting is amazing!  We loved the tasting bar and the architecture of building. Above the tasting bar are ceiling murals that were very cool to gaze at as I tasted the magnificent tropical fruit wines. My top picks are the Light Avocado, Lychee, and Carambola(starfruit). The winery courtyard is breathtaking.  It features natural coral waterfalls, lush palm trees, tiki huts and plenty of colorful fish one can feed.

Lychee Wine

Lychee Fruit

If you are planning a trip to Miami or the Florida Keys I recommend visiting the Schnebly Redlands Winery.  The light tropical fruit wine, Carambola pairs nicely with fresh fish or lobster just as well as a Pinot Grigo.

Have a Great Day!

Ryan

To learn more about the Schnebly Redlands Winery click here.

Tropical Dilusional:Mother arrested over sandwich argument

The full moon in the Florida Keys really does drive some people into a "Tropical Dilusional" state of mind.  Check out this arrest report from last February.

by MCSO - Florida Keys on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 5:52am

Stock Island – A 60 year old Stock Island woman is in jail after she hit her 18 year old son with a hammer in an argument over a sandwich.

Deputies Lissette Zuelch and David Cruz arrived at the Maloney Avenue residence just after 11 a.m. Monday to find the victim in the front porch. He said he and his mother had been arguing over a sandwich. The deputies entered and spoke with the suspect, Urania Lot, and her granddaughter who was a witness to the incident. They both said the victim was rude and belligerent to Lot when she asked him not to eat his sandwich in the living room. 

Lot asked him to eat in the dining room and when he refused, she threatened to break his television and kick him out of the house. She then allegedly picked up a hammer and hit him with it on the left arm; she also hit him with her fists in the head, and bit him on the wrist. 

Deputies took photographs of his injuries, then placed Lot under arrest for aggravated battery. She was booked into jail.

Enough said.

Ryan

A Coastal Living Gift Idea

Looking for a very unique coastal living gift idea? Here you go...

Seafood in a Vase

I would take a vase of seafood over a Starbucks or Home Depot gift card anyday. This is how we do it in the Florida Keys!

Ryan

Spicy Florida Fish Nuggets

This old black and white picture of me after a fishing trip with my dad and my grandfather (who is now in heaven) says it all……  

Spicy Florida Fish Nuggets with Caribbean dipping sauce is easy to prepare.  I typically use fresh Mahi Mahi fillets (2 lbs.) but it can also be prepared with fresh Grouper, Key West Shrimp, or with my personal favorite, chunks of Florida lobster. If you have not tried mixing fresh tropical fruits and seafood yet, you’re missing out.

Instructions:
Preheat deep fryer, or 1/2-inch of peanut oil or vegetable oil in skillet to 350°. Combine rice flour, cornstarch, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.  Slowly add soda water while mixing to achieve batter-like consistency (for best results, soda water should be well chilled). Dip fish nuggets in batter just prior to quickly frying to a golden brown. Set aside.

Blend remaining ingredients (mango, pineapple juice, vinegar, lime juice, chili sauce) and simmer resulting puree on medium heat for 5-minutes. Pour warm sauce over fish nuggets. Pour into small cup for dipping.

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

Fish Nuggets
2lbs. Fresh Fillets, Shrimp, or Florida Lobster Chucks (2" Nuggets)
1 1/2 Cups Rice Flour
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
1 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp. Paprika
1 Tsp. Garlic powder
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Cup Soda Water

Dipping Sauce
2 Mangos, Peeled
1 Cup Pineapple Juice
1/4 Cup White Wine Vinegar
1/4 Cup Lime Juice (Fresh Squeezed)
1/4 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce


These make great appetizers for any occasion.

Enjoy!


Ryan 

Happy Labor Day from the Florida Keys!

Happy Labor Day!

Break out the boat drinks and enjoy your labor day cookout with friends and family!  I hope the picture below inspires you to make steak and lobster tails on the grill.

For all you college football and NFL tailgaters, watch out for my game day recipes and our Two Starfish Seafood Game Day seafood packages.

I am sure you will all enjoy my new weekly blog story, the tell it like it is "Ryan's Tales of Tropical Delusion." These will be stories & news from the Florida Keys and believe me I am going to "tell it like it is".

Have an awesome Labor Day!

Ryan