My husband Richard and I took a road trip to Nova Scotia with our friends Joe and Kathy. Joe, an award-winning photographer, researched the area in-depth and organized the plans. Our first stop was Kennebunkport, Maine. We lunched on mussels in a light tomato broth while mopping up the juices with crusty garlic bread. The lobster rolls were meaty and luscious, accompanied by a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, a great start to the vacation.

Our home for the week, located in the town of Peggy’s Cove, has a year-round population of thirty people. The large white rental house hosted a big back porch situated on a sleepy inlet, surrounded by giant green fir trees. Kathy and I picked from the wildflowers that grew abundantly in the garden to decorate our table, as we would be dining mostly at home, considering the lack of restaurant options.  We did have a lobster dinner cruise scheduled for mid-week, first heading to an island to see the Puffins, small seabirds with colorful beaks, and then a classic cold-water lobster feast.

Peggy’s Cove is remote. It is quiet, and whatever shops exist are owned by Artisans. The Cove is an old fishing village filled with weathered boats and small wooden houses that bleed with deep color and unrealistic blue skies.
It is as sleepy as it is alive, and in some way, we all have to figure out how to absorb this and try not to long for the manufactured resort that we all have become accustomed.  Joe is the exception, which is why we are here. Sometimes its good to explore where you usually wouldn't. It is beautiful to know that there are places where nature rules.

The next day, a trip to Halifax. Some photographs and exploring. After lunch, we had a scrumptious blueberry pie. We then asked the waitress if there were more sights to see in the area, she replied, "If you are looking for Disneyland, this isn’t your place.” A “barb” to our Americanism? Probably, but food for thought. The waitress then recommended a town nearby on a cliff that she thought to be very beautiful, and it was. I visit this place in my mind when I'm stressed.

The dinner cruise sailed from "Peggy’s Cove." I took advantage of dressing up for the occasion. When the rustic fishing boat pulled up, I removed my bracelets and earrings; this was not World Yacht. 

The Captain and first mate, apparently boyfriend and girlfriend, we're both on the “salty” side. We hopped on board, hoping we were in good hands. The first mate gave lifejacket instructions while smoking a cigarette, finishing off by warning us that we would die of hypothermia in fifteen minutes, in the cold Atlantic. We sailed to see the Puffins; they weren’t there. Maybe they flew to Disneyland for a getaway? We took turns driving the boat, sang songs, and laughed a lot. Richard became sick from the diesel exhaust and clung to the side of the vessel, fresh air in his face. I threw him a roll of paper towels, and it was every man for himself.

Upon pulling into dock, Richard ran off the boat to seek refuge in the car. The Captain set up the lobster pot on a burner, adding a sealed glass jar of butter and sliced garlic. A white plastic table was erected, and a Tupperware of potato salad and corn on appeared from the cooler. It felt like a crazy sitcom.

It became apparent that the Captain and first mate favored “Jersey Joe,” as he was the recipient of extra lobster.  Kathy caught on and took pity on me, flinging additional pieces into my dish. Suddenly, I realized that there was Richard’s uneaten lobster. I bolted and headed to the car. Of course, I was checking on him, sort of.  I asked if I could eat his lobster, and he replied: “No, package it up for me, I will eat it tomorrow.” Ugh. Now that’s a Foodie!

So, the next day, Joe and Rich planned to go golfing. I woke my greedy-self up and prepared lobster rolls for them to take for lunch.  Kathy and I spent the day sitting on the dock at the house, eating hotdogs, talking, giggling, and getting sunburned. We were in the moment. I finally got the hang of it.

If you are interested in seeing more incredible Wildlife photography and more check out www.joegliozzophotography.com The photos are courtesy of Joe Gliozzo Photography, except for the Lobster Roll.

                                

                                             
Classic Lobster Rolls

Ingredients:

½  cup mayonnaise

2  tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2  teaspoons fresh tarragon

¼ cup minced celery

½ teaspoon celery salt

Ground black pepper

1 pound cooked and chopped lobster meat  (meat from three 1 ½ pound lobsters)

6   good quality top split hot dog rolls

2   tablespoons salted butter, softened

Chopped chives for garnish

6  soft lettuce leaves (preferably butter lettuce

Directions:

If you don’t want to cook the lobsters yourself, have your fishmonger steam them for you, it will make it easier so that all you have to do is pick out the meat. I have a local fish market that will sell the lobster meat by the pound, makes this recipe a breeze.

1.      Whisk the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and tarragon together. Season with celery salt and pepper. Stir in celery and chopped lobster meat. Chill for 3-4 hrs.

2.      Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Butter both sides of the buns and toast until golden and heated, about 2 minutes per side.

3.      Fold chives into the lobster salad.

4.      Place lettuce leaf inside each bun, top with more chives.

5.      Serve

Inspirations:

a.      Lobster Avocado BLT? Butter and toast a brioche bun, add lobster prepared as above, slice some avocado,  add crisp bacon, and tomato,

b.      Mini Lobster rolls on potato bread sliders?

c.       Lobster, prepared as above, over salad greensand crumbled?

d.      Serve with potato salad, coleslaw, and look for my Mexican street corn recipe under recipes on the blog!