Island Food, done Friday style!

This past weekend my high school friends and I went to our family summer home on Brown Island, which is a private island adjacent to Friday Harbor/San Juan Island. I have spent my lifetime at this place and in my old age (28) have grown to appreciate my down time much, much more! And, down time spent with great friends is even better!

Aside from playing catch phrase, drunken monopoly (boys only) and speed scrabble, we did a lot of eating! As part of our annual tradition, we always dine at Downriggers for lunch, which is located in town on Friday Island, to the right of the ferry terminal .

They have the most incredible seafood entrees and they make a hot (in more ways than one) Bloody Mary complete with celery salt on the rim and a skewer of green olives and pepperoncinis.

I enjoyed the very bottom image; corn battered fresh halibut on greens tossed in a vinaigrette with blue cheese crumbles and cherry tomatoes. It was so good! Well worth the $20 I spent on it ;) My neighbors the DeBay's enjoyed the second image; cod fish tacos. They are super spicy and delicious! I actually had these the year before and they are fantastic in deed! Across the way Pauly enjoyed breakfast in the top image. The hash browns looked TDF (and I don't even like hash browns!). I think his omelet was filled with manly things like ham, bacon, meats, cheeses and perhaps a veggie of some kind. The toast also looked really good and he utilized it well soaking up all the goodness! Jessica enjoyed the infamous clam chowder; third image. I dont do hot things on a hot day, but it sure did smell good! It came with a crisp salad on the side with candied walnuts and blue cheese. All the food looked and tasted so good! We will surely be back for a third visit next summer!

Marge's Rating: 4 stars (went back and will go back again!)

These are a few of my favorite things!

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For some reason when the weather is warm and the sun is brightly shining, I crave fresh fruits and veggies.... to me that equates to anything with mango or a perfectly ripe avocado.

The other day I found a recipe inspiration for a mango/avocado salad. I put my own spin on it and it turned out super deelish! Here are the deets (aka details):

Dressing:
1/4 cup orange vinegar (Trader Joe's has an excellent selection of flavored vinegars)
1/2 cup EVOO (always 2 to 1 with vinegars and oil)
2 tsp of chili powder
1 tsp dried red chili flakes
1 chopped garlic clove
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tbls fresh chopped cilantro (or 1 tsp dried)
dash of habanero sauce or tabasco sauce
s & p to taste

Whisk this all together in the bottom of the bowl you are going to toss the salad in.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, sliced
1 ripe mango, chopped
sliced grilled chicken or steak
1 sliced vine tomato
4-6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

Place lettuce on top of the dressing and toss. Then layor other ingredients on top and serve.

Serve with a side of your favorite tortilla chips and a margarita!

Blog Neglecting

I havent stopped eating (NEVER!!) but I havent eaten out anywhere worth honorable mention.

For anyone who needs a break from the daily grind, check out www.tastespotting.com. The greatest blog ever!