Big Dude's Eclectic Ramblings: Fish For Cindy and Me - Pacific Cod Puttanesca, Delicious Shrimp & Grits, Simple Dungeness Crab

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Fish For Cindy and Me - Pacific Cod Puttanesca, Delicious Shrimp & Grits, Simple Dungeness Crab

Bev and Pat (SIL) are off to Marco Island, FL for their annual three week visit and since others were visiting with them each week, Cindy and I stayed home to mind the farm and look after the dogs – I’m very happy I don’t have to tend the four dogs by myself especially since Cindy is a pro (she pet sits for a living). Pat eats very little fin fish and while Bev eats other seafood, she doesn’t eat many fin fish either so this provides an opportunity for Cindy and I to eat as much as we want.

Our first fish meal was the day after Bev and Pat left and it used a simple puttanesca sauce that we have made a few times before and it made good use of the Pacific Cod that we had in the freezer. Cindy cooked and she sided the fish with baked acorn squash. Both dishes were very good and it was a healthy me to boot.

Totally Delicious Cajun Shrimp And Cheese Grits

Next up for seafood meals was Cajun Shrimp And Cheese Grits using the same recipes as I did in April 2024 except I used my no heat version of Emeril’s Essence for the spice, pork and turkey kielbasa rather than andouille sausage for no heat, and Northern Pacific Spot Prawns (from the freezer) for the shrimp. I also used chicken broth rather the shrimp broth for the grits and the gravy. Buddy Joe, and neighbors, Pat and Steve, joined us with Cindy making a salad and Pat providing chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

The Verdict:

Both the cheese grits and the shrimp gravy were big hits with the diners and Pat especially raved about the grits.

And of course, I had to have this awesome breakfast.

Dungeness Crab

Next up were some Dungeness crab clusters that were also in the freezer. I used a simple preparation from the Sitka Seafood Market which just involved steaming the crab clusters and sauteing them in garlic butter - click on the link for the recipe.

The crab was sweet and delicious and I can see why it is so highly regarded in the Northwest - Cindy raved about it and along with a her salad, it provided the two of us with a very filling meal.