Smoked oysters and canned sardines

[amcal]

I was at Trader Joes and they had smoked oysters in olive oil. I only like them with crackers and butter and since I don't eat grains, I haven't had smoked oysters in forever! But, I made some almond meal crackers and ate a can of oysters for dinner. Please tell me these are super healthy? Or at least not horrible? Good heavens they were delicious!

Also, they had canned sardines - boneless, skinless in olive oil. I've never had sardines but, I think I remember reading they're pretty healthy? Right?

The only problem is that I've never eaten them before - any suggestions?

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by amcal

I was at Trader Joes and they had smoked oysters in olive oil. I only like them with crackers and butter and since I don't eat grains, I haven't had smoked oysters in forever! But, I made some almond meal crackers and ate a can of oysters for dinner. Please tell me these are super healthy? Or at least not horrible? Good heavens they were delicious!

Also, they had canned sardines - boneless, skinless in olive oil. I've never had sardines but, I think I remember reading they're pretty healthy? Right?

The only problem is that I've never eaten them before - any suggestions?

OMG I want some!!! I love smoked oysters, but can't find any that aren't packed in crud. I'm going to search at my hfs next time I'm there. I do know they are a good source of omega 3 and 6, high protein, low carb.

[MammaG]

Oh, I love, love, love smoked oysters and sardines! But, yeah, I almost always accompany them with a grain of some sort. I bet sardines would be yummy with a thin slice of cheddar and an apple wedge, though.

I had sardines on 9-grain toast just about every morning of the first trimester of my current pregnancy.....wierd, but it worked!

I think both are pretty healthy for you....better than my other fishy-favourite, herring in sour cream sauce!

[Koalamom]

I love oysters but avoid them since they are ocean filters and tend to have loads of toxins. Same goes for shrimp, catfish, etc.

Sardines on the other hand are so goooood! I love sardines and a slice of bread for a great snack.

[amcal]

Earthmama - let me know and I'm happy to pick some up and send to you if you can't find them locally.

MammaG - I made crackers out of almond meal and they worked perfectly.
3/4 cup almond meal
1 egg white
salt, onion powder and garlic powder (about 1/8 tsp)

Mix all together and then turn out on a piece of parchment paper. Top with another piece of parchment and roll out to a very thin rectangle shape. You want it pretty thin.

I then take a pizza cutter and very lightly cut the dough into small squares.

I then transfer the paper to the oven - preheated to 325 - and bake it directly on the rack. Bake for 10 minutes and then check. You want very lightly brown but it can go from golden to burnt in seconds. So, watch it carefully. It should take between 10 - 15 min.

[Metasequoia]

Kipper snacks (smoked herring) is really yummy too - I even like them more than sardines.

Dd1 & I just eat them straight from the can.

[Brown Lioness]

*makes a beeline for Trader Joe's*

[amcal]

I thought the sardines tasted exactly like albacore tuna. Very firm, sort of dry despite the olive oil and not much flavor. I think I'm going to try the smoked herring next mmmmmm......

[Teenytoona]

Sardines are great! They're even better if their bones are in. Just eat them whole, and you have bonus calcium. Wish we had a trader joe's near enough to get them regularly. At least I have one (out of at least 5) grocery store nearby that sells them in olive oil. All the others are funky sauces and/or soybean oil.

[Zenzero]

Originally Posted by amcal

MammaG - I made crackers out of almond meal and they worked perfectly.
3/4 cup almond meal
1 egg white
salt, onion powder and garlic powder (about 1/8 tsp)

Mix all together and then turn out on a piece of parchment paper. Top with another piece of parchment and roll out to a very thin rectangle shape. You want it pretty thin.

I then take a pizza cutter and very lightly cut the dough into small squares.

I then transfer the paper to the oven - preheated to 325 - and bake it directly on the rack. Bake for 10 minutes and then check. You want very lightly brown but it can go from golden to burnt in seconds. So, watch it carefully. It should take between 10 - 15 min.

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!! I am trying to be grain free and have been looking for a good, simple cracker recipe and I have LOADS of almond meal and a ton of egg whites leftover from mayo making that I've been trying to find a use for...I am sooooo making these tomorrow!

[TopazBlueMama]

Oysters are super high in zinc and B-12. I've wondered if when smoked/canned they are still as high in those things. I do worry about the pollutants in them though.
Sardines give you a good amount as well, and not as worrisome.

[Panserbjorne]

the smoked oysters in olive oil are my guilty pleasure...I eat 'em straight outta the can and have since childhood! I used to love christmas because I got my own tins in my stocking!

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by amcal

Earthmama - let me know and I'm happy to pick some up and send to you if you can't find them locally.

.

OMG you are so sweet!!! I'm in canada, so I don't know about shipping etc. I'm going to the big city this weekend so I'm going to check the hfs when I stock up for christmas baking.

[rayo de sol]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

I love oysters but avoid them since they are ocean filters and tend to have loads of toxins.

Which toxins do oysters contain? They're low in mercury:

http://www.gotmercury.org/

[kimiij]

With Sardines I usually mash them with a fork and sprinkle some fresh lime juice and homemade hot pepper sauce on them... I also usually have them with bread- I make a sandwich.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by rayo de sol

Which toxins do oysters contain? They're low in mercury:

http://www.gotmercury.org/

I think I read they accumulate arsenic. I'm not sure about PCBs and the other non-metal pollutants.