| There is an old saying, "When the tide is out, the | | | | While my research helped me to formulate some |
| table is set." | | | | conclusions that answer some of my questions, I |
| When my Finnish-born grandfather fished the cold | | | | encourage you to engage in your own research |
| waters of Michigan's Lake Superior in his | | | | and make your own decisions about the safety |
| homemade hand-crafted boat, a generation ago, | | | | of farm-raised fish. |
| the bounty of the waterways contributed in | | | | So I am leaving that in your hands. I'm getting out |
| delicious and abundant ways to the family's well | | | | of the boat and I am moving back into my |
| being. | | | | comfort zone in the kitchen. Deciding on one |
| My mother's father never worried about the | | | | special recipe to share with you for today's |
| issues that I worry about today when I stand at | | | | column was rough. Being a huge fan of creative |
| a fish case, debating the safety, the price and the | | | | fish and seafood cookery, dozens of great-tasting |
| environmental issues. | | | | recipes floated through my stream of |
| Steeped in my heritage is a great love of | | | | consciousness. Finally, a stylish show stopping, yet |
| deep-sea fishing, and of course, an appreciation | | | | quite simple technique for preparing salmon in a |
| for the unmistakable taste of exquisitely | | | | heart-shaped parcel of parchment paper, hooked |
| prepared, fresh caught, wild fish. | | | | my full attention. |
| That unmistakable taste is becoming increasingly | | | | Your guests will "ooh" and "ah' at the dramatic |
| rare to find. | | | | presentation of Salmon en Papillote, a |
| It doesn't matter how accomplished a chef or a | | | | classic-French vintage-cuisine type dish that |
| cook might be, their culinary creations will be | | | | perhaps your grandmother or mother served at a |
| limited by the quality of their ingredients. A true | | | | fancy VIP dinner party in the 1960's. Salmon en |
| connoisseur can tell the difference. For example, a | | | | Papillote was a fine dish to serve on those special |
| connoisseur can taste whether they are being | | | | occasions when perhaps the boss was coming to |
| served a wild Alaskan salmon or a doctored up | | | | dinner and a wife recognized how her skill as a |
| farm-raised version. | | | | hostess could help her husband transcend the |
| Today, an increasingly large percentage of the | | | | steps of a corporate ladder. |
| salmon that is being sold in grocery stores and in | | | | I have served this recipe to guests in my home |
| restaurants is not wild salmon. The salmon that is | | | | and guests at catered dinner parties and it always |
| being offered for sale is labeled farm-raised. | | | | resulted in kudos to the cook. |
| Do you ever wonder how this trend of | | | | Salmon en Papillote |
| farm-harvested fish is affecting natural and native | | | | Cut large parchment hearts for each piece of fish. |
| aquatic environments and the environment of our | | | | Brush the inside of the heart with garlic and |
| own bodies? | | | | herb-spiked melted butter or olive oil. Layer |
| Haunted by important questions that nagged at | | | | washed, chopped garden fresh vegetables, onions, |
| me to be answered, I headed to the computer, | | | | leeks and one salmon filet on one side of the |
| where I waded through a vast sea of information. | | | | butter brushed paper. Drizzle with white wine, |
| With the world wide net at my fingertips, I | | | | fresh Florida lemon, sprinkle with favorite |
| engaged in one of my most favorite passions- | | | | seasonings and herbs, and dot with a bit of butter. |
| surfing the waves of the Internet researching | | | | Fold the other half of the heart over the food. |
| treasure chests of information. | | | | Fold and crimp the edges to tightly seal the food |
| Where are we today with the issue of | | | | inside the parcel. Bake in a very hot oven of |
| farm-raised fish? Are they safe for us to | | | | around 425 degrees for approximately 18 |
| consume? What impact are fish farms presenting | | | | minutes. The packets will expand as they bake, |
| to the overall habitat of nearby waterways? | | | | causing the steam to circulate around the food, |
| The issues swimming around farm-raised fish | | | | while retaining the vital nutrients inside in a most |
| continues to be an on-going challenge to its own | | | | delicious way. When the parcels puff and brown |
| industry, other commercial fishermen, lawmakers, | | | | the food is done. Transfer to a preheated dinner |
| our environment and the health of consumers | | | | plate, cut a small x in the top of each parcel, the |
| who indulge frequently in a diet heavy in | | | | intoxicating aroma will perfume the room and |
| farm-raised fish. | | | | delight the senses. |