Shrimp Po Boy

I've never been to New Orleans, but I know I would order a po boy sandwich as soon as I got off the plane.  I was craving one this weekend, so after a quick trip to the market I was ready to roll.  First I cleaned some shrimp (I believe the most classic version is made with fried oysters) and dusted them with AP flour, cayenne pepper and smoked paprika before deep frying them and setting them aside to drain.  I then assembled the sandwich with the shrimp and some sliced Roma tomatoes, shredded iceberg lettuce and a spicy Sriracha mayo on a fresh-baked French roll.  I tried to stick to the textbook on this one, and after one bite I felt like I was in the Big Easy, minus the public intoxication.

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Roasted Steelhead Trout

Along with the Fanny Bay Oysters that I got from Santa Monica Seafood, I also picked up some super fresh Steelhead trout at $14.99 a pound.  I wanted the fish to stand on its own, so I roasted it in the oven with just a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper.  For my veg, I also wanted to keep it very simple, so I roasted a mix of baby potatoes with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt and pepper.  The trout turned out awesome...similar to salmon, but slightly leaner, and the lemon zest gave the potatoes a nice zing.

Fanny Bay Oysters

Unlike normal people, I think that a trip to the grocery store is a recreational activity.  Santa Monica Seafood is one of the coolest seafood markets out there, and I was there the other day searching for some inspiration.  They have an outstanding selection of fresh oysters, including my all-time favorite, Fanny Bays.  I picked up a half dozen and shucked them as soon as I got home, and I served them simply with a squeeze of lemon juice.  They were plump, creamy, just the right amount of brine and super fresh.  I could have easily eaten two dozen, but there was more to come...