Monthly Archives: September 2011

Part One: My Perfect Birthday Weekend – Boating in the San Juan Islands

Posted by Teri

As the cooler weather creeps in, I like to assemble my favorite memories of the summer to keep me warm throughout fall and winter. Topping the list this year was my birthday weekend in late August.

Birthday Boating in the San Juan Islands

I can feel the warmth all over again when I look back at this blissful picture! My first gift was perfect weather.

It started with my husband and I sailing to Deer Harbor Marina where four of my closest friends had prepared a dockside dinner. They treated us with fresh crab, marinated local prawns, melt-in-your-mouth corn on the cob, chocolate cake from Roses Bakery and lotsa good wine. The weather was ideal for a night on the dock, and visiting boaters were friendly all around us.

Controlled burn on Yellow Island in the San Juan Islands, WA

Yellow Island on fire... on purpose

Saturday morning Jay and I headed out to sail San Juan Channel between Orcas and San Juan Island. While cruising past Yellow Island we spotted smoke and called 911. We were relieved to find out this was an annual controlled burn by the Nature Conservancy to keep the undergrowth from encroaching on the grasslands – a practice first used by Native Americans to protect camas bulbs and other food crops.

We continued out into the channel pushed by favorable warm wind. We were on the same path as the historic Adventuress and mirrored her course while feeling the pirate in our souls-arrrgh…. Only to be left behind with a few practiced tacks by the large crew aboard her deck.

Beach at Turn Island State Park, San Juan Islands WA

Approaching beach at 35-acre Turn Island State Park

Midday we headed south to hook one of the buoys located on the north side of Turn Island. The entire island is a state park with nice easy trails, camp sites, and several sandy beaches on the west side- yes I said sand!  I had just settled in with refreshment in hand, taking in the warm sea air and thinking ‘this is a great birthday’ when all of a sudden…    (To Be Continued in Part Two!)

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

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Filed under Adventure, Boating, Nature

Crab Salad in Crisp Wonton Cups

Posted by Teri

Here’s another use for our delicious dungeness crab – I found this recipe in Fine Cooking Magazine. Wonton wrappers baked in muffin tins make a perfect crunchy cup to hold this succulent crab salad spiked with sweet mango, cilantro, scallions and lime. Fresh and light – a great summertime appetizer!

Crab salad in Wonton CupsFor the Wonton Cups:

Cooking spray

18 wonton wrappers

2 tsp. canola oil

¼ tsp. kosher salt

For the Dressing:

2 Tbs. fresh lime juice

1 tsp. finely grated lime zest

¼ tsp. kosher salt

¼ tsp. fresh ground pepper

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 Tbs. olive oil

For the Salad:

½ lb. lump crab meat

1 rib celery, finely chopped

½ c. peeled and finely diced mango

¼ c. thinly sliced scallions

2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray.

Make the Wonton Cups:

 Brush both sides of the wonton wrapper with the canola oil and place each wrapper into a section of a muffin tin. Gently press each wrapper into a tin and arrange so that it forms a cup shape. The edges will stick up out of the cup. Sprinkle with salt and bake until brown and crisp, 8-10 minutes. Allow the cup to cool then remove from tin. These can be prepared a day ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container.

Make the Dressing:

 In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice and zest, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Add the olive oil and whisk until well combined.

Make the Salad:

In a medium bowl, gently toss the crabmeat, celery, mango, scallions and cilantro, trying not to break up the crab too much. Add the dressing and gently toss to combine. This can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. To serve, fill each cup with crab salad and serve immediately.

Yields 18 wonton cups

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

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Filed under Recipes