For the Halibut Alert

Eeeks!!  Miss MoneyPenny was talking to the world's best (I kid you not) fish lady at our local QFC the other day and she is reporting some worrisome information for those of us who love fresh wild fish. 

According to her sources, halibut will not go for less than $20 a pound this year!!  This is due to the dwindling supplies and a much shorter fishing season.  She also mentioned that salmon isn't going to be a big bargain either.  What next!!  It never ends so gird your loins for higher grocery prices.

You may have noticed that Miss MoneyPenny usually lists the fresh wild caught fish on sale in the grocery basket post.  I grew up on the southern Oregon coast where fish and seafood were so plentiful that we took it for granted.  And I married two guys (not at the same time) who fished everything that swam, so I really prefer fresh wild fish and I'm going to tell you why.

Farm raised fish seems like a good idea, right?  Incorrect.  Those fish do not swim free like they are meant to, as they are in a type of cage eating processed feed of all things.  And since they are all penned up, disease happens and you know where that leads.

After they are killed, their flesh is not that wonderful pink to red that indicates good oily fish that is so healthy.  So what do they do?  They add dye, of course.  Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  And then there is the texture and the all important flavor.  No comparison, but you make the call.

What to do?  I am lucky enough to have a fabulous fish lady who really knows her stuff.  When we ask what is good, she is all over it and with the best way to cook it.  I have no problem asking for a half pound as that is two servings and nothing gets wasted.  If I'm cooking salmon, I always save the cooked skin for the dogs for a treat.  They love it.  The cat won't touch it.  Go figure.

If you are at QFC this week, pick up some asparagus for 99 cents a pound and grab a couple bunches of daffodils (2/$4).  Nothing says spring like a big bouquet of daffodils on the dining room table.  And it makes us feel better after contemplating grocery prices.