dontmissmyplate 6/16/20 dontmissmyplate 6/16/20

Herring and Salmon Toast with Pineapple Salsa

There's nothing like a crispy slice of toast with smoked or tinned fish on top. It's an elegant appetizer you can also serve as a light snack. My go-to has often been the Mediterranean-style Tapa de Sardinas (Spanish sardines), but herrings work just as well. They aren't as rich in calcium, but just as delicious and almost identical! I add salmon to the dish in the form of spread to mimic salmon cream cheese. You can get it store-bought but why not make your own version?

I used MSC-certificated products, sustainably caught fish as I did with my Cornmeal Tuna Cakes. As I've mentioned before, you can identify their products by a (clearly visible) little blue label!

Tinned fish is underrated but it's so versatile.

Pineapple always adds freshness to whatever you serve it with. It also adds a little bit of acidity which, in this case, helps cut through the oil from the fish. You also end up with a very colourful plate!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon parsley

1/2 teaspoon dill

1 1/2 tablespoons Wild-caught pink salmon, boneless and skinless (Chicken of the Sea)

1/4 teaspoon chili flakes

2 slices whole grain bread

1 teaspoon clam juice

4 Kipper snack herring fillets (Crown Prince)

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Salsa:

1 tablespoon tomato, finely chopped

2 tablespoons pineapple, finely chopped

1 teaspoon scotch bonnet hot sauce

1 tablespoon sweet corn

1/2 teaspoon parsley

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Pinch of salt

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, garlic, mustard, dill, salt, chili flakes, pepper, olive oil, salmon, and clam juice until well combined.

In another bowl, mix the corn, salt, pineapple,tomato, parsely, pepper, and hot sauce.

Lightly toast your bread.

Spread the salmon cream over your toasts, top with the herring, followed by the pineapple salsa.

Serve at room temperature as or with a simple garden salad!

dontmissmyplate 6/8/20 dontmissmyplate 6/8/20

Cornmeal Tuna Cakes

People love going to relax at the beach. People love indulging in seafood from fresh oysters to grilled fish and curried shrimp. People love partying on yachts and competitively sailing boats. The question is, are people doing what it takes to protect the bodies of water that make these experiences possible? Not only do oceans provide beautiful beaches, delicious seafood and amazing memories, but they also provide food for millions of people. They provide oxygen in the air we breathe and hold 97% of the earth's water.

We need to protect the oceans from the pollution that kills ecosystems like the coral reef. We need to reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming, which raise sea levels and threaten natural habitats and coastal areas where people live. We need to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the stomachs of sea turtles and sea birds. We need to protect the oceans from overfishing and ensure food security for everyone.

June 8 marks World Oceans Day, and one of the key messages is that we can help the oceans by making more sustainable choices when we purchase seafood. How do you identify what’s sustainable? Buy MSC branded products marked with a little blue label. They are easy to spot as you can see below! The products are sustainably caught and you can trace back to the source. MSC is a science-based global nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of overfishing worldwide. You can read more about their work at www.msc.org.

Tinned fish is a versatile ingredient and one of many MSC-approved products. I was challenged to make something creative and decided to treat tinned tuna in a similar way to crab, and replace the breadcrumbs with cornmeal bread to give the cakes added sweetness and a soft but gritty texture.

Next time you need seafood, find the products in the grocery store with the MSC label! Make the right choice when you shop, your decision contributes to a #BigBlueFuture and a delicious meal.