Fish Tales

Enjoy Spot Prawns and Salmon this Summer

Did you know that shrimp come in many forms? Did you know that salmon isn’t only pink? The waters of British Columbia are filled with a variety of different of amazing options, many available for you to enjoy at Oak Bay Seafood.

You can pick up fresh selections of your favorites to cook at home (check out the salmon recipe below!) or opt for our takeout options and shuck the whole idea of cooking altogether.

Save time, eat sustainable and healthy foods, and get quality you can count on every time. There is no excuse not to enjoy superior quality seafood this summer!

Avoiding Microplastics for Sustainable Seafood

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, usually less than the size of a sesame seed, that are present in many different products. They can be found in items from single use bags to plastic bottles for water sold in stores, and even plastic food containers. 

Studies show that some people may consume over 100,000 particles of microplastics per year - but the health repercussions are still widely unknown. 

When it comes to food service, single use plastics are used more often than the average household in order to keep things sterile, but there are other ways to do this without dealing with microplastics. 

Let’s explore the ways microplastics affect the fishing community and why it’s important to use more sustainable products in food service. 

Spotlight On Shellfish: Oysters, Mussels, and Clams

From the most addictive street food delights to the heights of fine dining, we’re proud to be able to draw on the bounty of local shellfish at our doorstep, including Mussels, Oysters and Clams.

With such a bounty to choose from, you’ll be spoiled for options when it comes to preparation and cooking. This is exactly what we’re going to focus on in this month's post. We’ll look at how to make the most of mussels, ceviche, two streetfood inspired oyster recipes, and highlight Kusshi Oysters.

How to Clean, Crack, and Shell Crab

Crab can be a daunting seafood when it comes to preparation, but it’s nowhere near as complicated as you think, and an incredibly satisfying process that will lead to some truly delicious fresh seafood for you to prepare as you please.

Here’s how to go about cleaning, cracking, and shelling crab at home. 

Lasagna and Chowder - Seafood Dishes You Need To Make

It’s a new year, and if you ask us, eating more delicious locally sourced fish should absolutely be on your resolution list - but we may be a little biased there!

This month, we’re focusing on some simple, timeless flavours, showing that there’s still plenty of taste and elegance to be found even in staple dishes.

First up, we’re putting a feature spotlight on canned salmon, and why it should be promoted from afterthought to kitchen essential.

Next, we have a novel take on an Italian classic with a look at some ideas for making seafood lasagne. And finally, we’re going to be chowing down on some chowder, something that is a key part of our menu and product range!

Seafood at Christmas – Salmon, Whole Fish, & Scallops

With Christmas coming up, that means fish on the menu! One of the amazing things about what we do here at Oak Bay Seafood is our year-round seasonality, which means we have delicious fresh seafood for every season.

We have a wide variety of seafood for you to choose from, and we think this month’s piece really highlights that.

Here we take an in-depth look at the beauty of using whole fish, a delicate and simple scallop dish that is elegant and deep in flavour, and a sampling of salmon ideas for your Christmas meal.  

Smoked Fish 101

Originally, in an effort to preserve fish for the long winters, fish was hung near a fire and that seemed to work.

While there may be just one word to describe the fish category 'smoked', in the centuries since invention there have been hundreds of variations added to this basic description as new and wonderful ways to cure fish for taste and texture.

Crab Cakes

Our special recipe is sparse on ingredients and full of crab flavour!

Grilled Halibut with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette

Simple and delicious, this recipe allows the flavour of the fish to shine through.