Shanty Fish Loaf

A long time ago, a summertime friend at South Harpswell gave us this recipe for a fish loaf. 'Guaranteed to make anyone a fish eater,' she stated. She is absolutely right, too. Served with a butter sauce or a frozen shrimp soup sauce it makes a very special dinner. 


                                                                          Marjorie Standish

A special meal it may be... any thoughts before I share mine? 

It was an easy recipe to pull together, not many ingredients involved in this one. However, in my opinion it may not be one of the finer loaves to come out the book of Marjorie Standish. Before starting to cook my way through this cookbook I had never heard of any loaf except a meat loaf. Now I'm quite familiar with Egg Loaves, Halibut Loaf, Salmon Loaf, and now Shanty Fish Loaf. 

The end result of the aforementioned salmon loaf and halibut loaf was very similar to that of a meat loaf.  At least it looked like a meat loaf and it rose and cut into slices. The shanty fish loaf on the other hand did not rise like the others and I'm not sure will cut into slices. 

Shanty fish loaf does have a familiar fish in it, haddock. Along with onion celery, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. After it's baked, Marjorie tells you to top it with a sauce of your choice. She does recommend frozen shrimp soup, this is what I chose. 

Honestly, this one confuses me, as it is supposed to be a "special dinner" but  it doesn't look all that appealing to me. Though I suppose I should remember that "back in the day" special probably meant something completely different than it does today and special is different to everyone. 

Would you make this for a special meal? Would it turn you into a fish eater?

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square 

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://twitter.com/#!/BlueElephant3

https://www.facebook.com/blueelephantevents

Broiled Haddock

Haddock is another fish that we work with a lot at the Blue Elephant. It is also a very popular fish in Maine. We used to eat it a lot at my house when I was growing up, but I have never seen or heard of it prepared in this way. It may just be the easiest way to prepare and cook haddock that I have discovered yet.

Here it goes:

1. Roll the haddock in prepared Italian dressing
2. Roll the haddock in cornflake crumbs
3. Place the fish on a broiler pan and top with butter. Bake for 10 minutes and serve warm.

That's all folks. It's so easy and it looks delicious. We are serving this dish with a side salad of fresh romaine lettuce and Italian dressing. Of course haddock goes well with many side dishes so if you were to make this recipe for your family... go crazy, choose whatever side dishes sound good to you. Have you ever made haddock this way before? If so, write to me tell me how you like it. Or if you try this particular recipe write me and tell me your thoughts.

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/blueelephantevents

https://twitter.com/#!/BlueElephant3

Baked Haddock

I'm getting to the point where it's difficult to choose what recipe to make because I've done so many and there are so few left! I think I've decided to turn my focus to the fish section for a couple of reasons: I only have a few recipes left to complete, and they are always delicious and very popular.

Where to start though? I keep passing the Baked Haddock recipe so I decided to start there. I hadn't really read this recipe thoroughly, and I was expecting it to be a traditional Maine Baked Haddock recipe with the Ritz cracker crumbs or even just breadcrumbs and lemon juice. However, it was far from it!

The fish was seasoned in a pan with salt, pepper, paprika and lemon juice. Then Marjorie had me make a roux with butter and flour. Add to that dry mustard and milk. This is poured over the seasoned fish. The whole dish is seasoned with buttered crumbs and parsley.

It only takes 15 minutes in the oven and the end result is a delicious baked fish. Today we will pair it with a side salad and your choice of dressing for 6.00. Come on in and give it a try. I promise you won't be disappointed!! 

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/blueelephantevents

https://twitter.com/#!/BlueElephant3