Game-day Meal: Feast of the Sea

It's pretty safe to say that the summer heat has certainly settled in around us. Scorching days with record-setting temperatures don't typically inspire us spend a lot of time in our kitchens slaving over a hot stove.

But summertime is the perfect time to cook a dish like the one we're featuring this week. Using fresh fish along with herbs and vegetables straight from your garden or farmer's market, you can create a light and delicious meal without even breaking a sweat.

Many thanks to our South American correspondent for another tasty Brazilian recipe!

São Paulo, BR. -- The fishing tradition and heritage of indigenous culture in Brazil, profoundly influenced regional Capixaba cuisine, making it eclectic, a product of many influences such as Portuguese, Africans and peoples of northern Europe. To explain, Capixaba refers to people from Espirito Santo, a heavily-forested state on the eastern coast of Brazil. Rovena, a member of the All Habs team, is Capixaba.

With the arrival of other European immigrants new dishes were added to the Capixaba cuisine. Among the most famous dishes we can mention is Moqueca, a delicious seafood stew made with onions, garlic, cilantro and coconut milk.

Moqueca

Ingredients

2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup canned or jarred hearts of palm, drained and diced
2 plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
5 tablespoons dendê oil (you can use extra-virgin olive oil or peanut oil)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 1/4 pounds sea bass, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup freshly chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup freshly chopped yellow bell pepper
1 1/2 cups fish stock (you can substitute clam juice, low-sodium chicken broth, or equal amounts of both)
1 scallion (white and green parts), chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 small piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 cup coconut milk

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together half of the scallion, half of the onion, half of the ginger, and half of the garlic. Add 2 tablespoons of the dendê oil, all of the olive oil, and half of the cilantro. Place the chunks of fish in a resealable plastic bag and add the marinade, pressing the bag to evenly coat the fish. Remove all of the air from the plastic bag and seal it. Place the bag in a shallow bowl, making sure the chunks of fish are completely covered by the marinade, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Take the fish out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the oven to 175C(350F)

3. Place the remaining 3 tablespoons of the dendê oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the remaining scallion and onion along with the green and yellow bell peppers, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the remaining ginger and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring to combine, for another minute or until it’s hot. Add the fish stock and let it come to a full boil. Add the coconut milk and tomato paste and return to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to medium-low or so and simmer the sauce, nice and gently, while you prepare the fish.

5. In the meantime, place the fish and its marinade in a gratin or casserole dish. Pour the lemon juice on top and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until the fish is almost but not quite cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Carefully transfer each chunk of fish to the pan with the gently simmering sauce. Add any juices in the dish from the fish and marinade. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook just until the fish is soft and tender, 5 to 8 minutes.

7. Uncover the pan, add the hearts of palm and tomatoes, and just let them get hot, which will take only a minute or two.

8. Taste the moqueca, season it with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the remaining fresh cilantro.

Variations

Moqueca de Camarão: Substitute shrimp for the fish. A very popular variation.

Use any type of seafood you like: crab, mussels, lobster.

For a lighter stew, substitute water or stock for 1 cup of the coconut milk.


photo credit: www.1-2-3artdinner.com


Share YOUR favourite game-day meal or snack with us! Send your recipe and a photo of the finished product to amy@allhabs.net today!

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All Habs Hockey Party in Montreal: Habs vs Flyers

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Our mission here at All Habs is "to build a world-wide network of Montreal Canadiens fans who are informed, engaged, entertained, and connected".  "It's more than just meeting for hockey - it's growing potential friendships," says our friend Karine - perfectly summing up the reason why All Habs Hockey Parties are the premiere way to bring Habs fans together!

Karine and her boyfriend James attended their first All Habs Hockey Party last weekend.  James is a writer for All Habs and says, "I knew about the All Habs parties before, they are quite famous on Twitter."  A Laval native (and life-long Habs fan), James admits that a little bit of shyness had prevented him from attending in the past but decided it was time to find out what all the festivities were about.  "I was very excited at the thought of meeting new people that shared the same passion I have for hockey!"

It was the March All Habs Night at McLean's Pub in Montreal and the Habs were slated to take on the Flyers.  As is the case with every monthly All Habs event at McLean's, attendees who had RSVP'd via Twitter or Facebook had special reserved seating in the center of the pub with fantastic views of the surrounding television screens, along with beer specials and menu discounts.  This was also James and Karine's first visit to McLean's.  "The multimedia setup (TVs, sound) was awesome and when I saw the menu I thought, 'Oh well this is a great start!'" says Karine.

Soon they were joined by dozens of other Habs fans who were just as thrilled to meet each other and reunite with friends.  They, along with the full house of bar patrons, were ready to cheer on the Canadiens in a conference rivalry matchup.  Karine was pleasantly surprised at how warmly she and other first-timers were received.  "It was easy to relate with other people, there was no pressure at all!  Everyone was so welcoming!"  James agrees, stating, "I felt at home, I felt like I found a new group of people where I belonged."

At intermission it was time for the All Habs Trivia Challenge, which focused on Habs vs. Flyers history.  Jay Farrar took over the microphone from behind the bar and led the entire pub through the Trivia Challenge (with some jokes along the way of course!).

The competition was tough but after the results were tallied we had quite a few winners!  Prizes included tickets to the Habs Hall of Fame and gift certificates to McLean's Pub.  Even our server-extraordinaire Adrienne won a Habs car flag!

But we didn't stop there - other participants were awarded for having "alternative" prize potential.  A t-shirt honouring the participant who answered every question with the same answer went to Katherine.

It also pays to NOT win!  The award for the person who had answered the most questions incorrectly was a signed Toronto Blue Jays baseball.

And finally the prize for the most creative answers went to Karine. "I had no clue what to write, so I decided to go with funny answers."  Looks like it paid off!

Even though the evening didn't end with a Canadiens win, James says it was a definitely a night to remember.  "It was an experience I will never forget, and I look forward to future All Habs Hockey Parties!"

Luckily there isn't long to wait since the next All Habs Hockey Party at McLean's Pub is Saturday, April 7th for the Habs vs Leafs game, which is the final game of the regular season.  You don't want to miss out on all the fun!  Be sure to click HERE to RSVP and reserve your seat at the best Habs fan event around!

And don't worry, the All Habs crew celebrates hockey 365 days a year, so be sure to follow @All_Habs and @habstweetup on Twitter to stay updated on Hockey Party announcements for events throughout the summer!

Check out the complete photo album from this event by clicking HERE!

Photo credits:  Pablo Ortiz

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All Habs Hockey Party in Montreal: Habs vs. Leafs

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Sometimes there's just nothing better than a Habs win over the Leafs, you know? Well, nothing except a Habs SHUTOUT over the Leafs! And to top things off, getting to watch the Canadiens blank the Maple Leafs surrounded by a fun-loving and excited group of devoted hockey fans makes the whole evening even more memorable.

I must say a big thank you to Old Man Winter for having such a calm temperament this year in order to allow me to make the road trip to Montreal during a season that's usually too unpredictable weather-wise for driving.  (Although admittedly I was quite giddy to see so much snow on the ground when I arrived in Montreal.)

But even if it HAD snowed, nothing could have kept me from trekking north for the inaugural All Habs Night at McLean's hockey party! Recently, a new partnership was announced between All Habs and McLean's Pub (you can read more about it HERE) and one of the most exciting parts of that announcement involves a monthly All Habs Hockey Party fan event at McLean's.  So what better way to kick things off than with a Habs/Leafs matchup on Hockey Day in Canada? We also dubbed the evening as "Bring a Buddy" night - because more is always merrier!

As a result, we not only had the chance to reconnect with friends and familiar faces, but we were also thrilled to welcome some new folks into the mix as well.  Some of them came to us courtesy of a new promotion outreach via the All Habs Facebook page while others, like Emily (@hockey_princess) were enticed to come out because of the excitement of All Habs/McLean's partnership news.

Emily (@hockey_princess)

"I was a little hesitant to go at first because I figured everyone would already know each other and I would be the odd one out.  But that wasn't the case, I was welcomed with open arms!"

A native of a small New Brunswick town named Stanley (about thirty minutes north of Fredericton), Emily just moved to Montreal two months ago, at the beginning of December, and has been a Habs fan for as long as she can remember (thanks to her dad).

"I had heard of tweetups before and they looked like a fun way to enjoy a game.  I also thought it would be a good way to make some new friends in the city."

Thanks to our friends at McLean's, Emily and the rest of the attendees who had reserved their seat with the All Habs group via Twtvite or Facebook were given the VIP treatment:  prime seating in the center of the dining area with perfect views of many of the big-screen televisions, discounted prices on the pub's hockey menu, and beer specials.  With more than twenty people seated in our group, it was great to see so many people in the pub sporting an All Habs nametag!

Throughout the evening, manager Jay Farrar was master of the microphone, getting the entire bar pumped up for the rivalry game against the Leafs and playing the part of emcee for the All Habs Trivia Challenge.  This time we took the Trivia Challenge to a whole new level - trivia was open to everyone in the pub!

The questions were focused on Hockey Day in Canada - something to really test those trivia gurus!  Enticed by the prospect of winning one of many prizes, more than 80 people battled to get the most answers right or, more importantly, come up with the most creative answers.

Needless to say, we had lots of winners!  Prizes included a very chic Montreal Canadiens hat, two sporty All Habs t-shirts, as well as two gift certificates to Mac's Taps, an Alexander Keith's t-shirt and a hat all generously donated by McLean's Pub.  Of course the most coveted prize of all was a NASCAR mug awarded to the person with the worst answers.  Who says we don't have a sense of humour?

People all around the pub were buzzing, asking when the next event would be held and looking forward to the next chance to win prizes and test their trivia skills.  Others wanted to know how to be included with the All Habs VIP group at the next event.

Perhaps you're wondering the same thing as you read this?  Just be sure to RSVP for our next All Habs Night at McLean's on March 24th - it's that easy!  So sign up, tell your friends and family to do the same, and make sure you don't miss out on the next All Habs Hockey Party.

Oh, and as for that shutout?  Well the Habs REALLY made it a special night by completing dominating the Leafs in a 5-0 win.  It was a very fun game to watch with so many friends!  And we're happy to report that our friend Emily went home at the end of the evening having made a whole group of friends to interact with in her new home.  "It was great, the atmosphere in the pub was awesome."

Check out the complete photo album for this event by clicking HERE!

Also, be sure to reserve your seat early for our next All Habs Night at McLean's on March 24th when the Habs take on the Flyers AND on April 7th for the last game of the season against the Leafs.

Go Habs Go!

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Habs Tweetup in Toronto: A FANtastic Event!

by Dayes, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

TORONTO, ON -- Maybe it was an omen. I woke up Saturday morning to a city of white...but diehard Habs fans don’t let a few inches of pesky snowflakes stand in their way – not even in Leafs Nation. February 11, 2012 was the date of the most recent Habs-Leafs showdown, and what better way to spend it than with 25 of your closest Tweeple. That’s right! Behold! The Habs Tweetup – Tdot edition!

At 6:00 pm St. Louis Bar and Grill, in the heart of downtown Toronto, was adopted by Montreal. The CH filled the upper level. Okay, maybe the CH didn’t fill the upper level. Officially, in attendance at the Habs Tweetup were 14 Habs fans and 12 Leafs fans. While we won (but did not dominate) in bodies, we conquered in sound. You would have thought you were at the Bell Centre!

With a somewhat slow first period, the expected disappointed groans and Tortorella-style armchair coaching for both teams were surprisingly subdued.

Or maybe people were too busy eating the mounds of food that arrived 10 minutes into the first period. What is this food I speak of? There were four enormous plates of nachos and four heaping plates of poutine – all courtesy of St. Louis Bar & Grill! What can I say? They were absolutely stellar hosts.

As the second period got under way, the cordial niceties started to wane and the Habs started what would become an onslaught on the Leafs net. And with each goal, the mostly silent bar erupted in loud cheering. Many of the patrons on the lower levels of the bar were thoroughly confused by our enthusiasm.

During the second intermission, it was time to pay homage to a Jaroslav that had served Montreal for many years. And this time, it was the Spatchoman himself. Coordinated by @kuyaz, the Habs fans (and even a couple of Leafs fans) sang a glorious rendition of “Happy Birthday” to everyone’s favourite Spaceman. Jaroslav Spacek, Happy 38^th Birthday! From the Habs fans in Toronto!

In honour of Hockey Day in Canada the All Habs Trivia Challenge focused on Hockey Day-related questions, putting everyone's hockey knowledge to the test!  It was @mbouf who reigned supreme, winning a generously donated $25 gift card courtesy of the good people at St. Louis. (If you want to find out about her experience at the Habs Tweetup, you can check out her review of the event.)  Our other winners were Kelly Anne (an attendee via our Facebook event), and @PatrickFarrell1, who both won micro-Habs jerseys.

All in all, it was a successful event. The turnout was great. The people at St. Louis took excellent care of us. Oh, and did I mention that the Habs beat the Leafs 5-0? That's right! Blanchissage, baby!!! There was so much cheering with each goal, that by the time we got to the end of the game @kuyaz and I had lost our voices. We couldn’t even sing Olé!

So next time you hear or read about Habs Tweetup in Toronto (or any city, for that matter), make a point to attend. It’s all part of surviving in Leafs Nation, and if nothing else, it’s a great party! @kuyaz and I (@cokeaddict) would love to see you there.

GO HABS GO!!

Photo credits: Dayes (for all photos, click HERE)

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RSVP for a Habs Tweetup today! Click HERE

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Kicking Off 2012, Habs Tweetup Style!

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Happy New Year! It's hard to believe that we've already rung in a new year - have you kept your resolutions so far? If so, congratulations! Perhaps "try something new this year" made your list of goals? Well if you're a Habs fan why not try a Habs Tweetup? There's no better way to kick off the new year than getting together with a great group of Habs fans and friends to cheer on the Montreal Canadiens!

If you've never attended a Habs Tweetup (or even if you have and are looking forward to your next one), we've got plenty of opportunities for you right around the corner.  Be sure to click the RSVP link at the bottom of the page to reserve your seat!

First up, we kick off 2012 at McLean's Pub in Montreal on Saturday, January 14th to watch the Habs take on the Senators. Good food, good friends, an All Habs Trivia Challenge, and prizes make a winning combination for a fun night you won't want to miss!

Planning on being in the Pittsburgh area on Friday, January 20th for the Habs vs. Penguins game?  A Vasco bus tour from Montreal will be heading down for the event and we're planning a Habs Tweetup for fans to meet and mingle before the game!  Stay tuned for additional information regarding the venue, or contact us for more details.

Next we join our friends from TSN 990's "The Franchise" on Saturday, January 21st for a Habs Tweetup and "Guaranteed Win Night" Hockey Party at Brasserie Sports 40 in Anjou, Quebec. All Habs readers will be given special VIP passes for food and drink as well as chances to win great prizes like tickets, a jersey, gift certificates and more! Tickets for the drawing can be purchased at the event, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting "Team In Training" (a nonprofit fundraising program of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

Looking ahead to February, our Habs friends in Toronto will also have a change to get together for a Habs Tweetup!  The place to be on Saturday, February 11th is Hoops Sports Bar & Grill on Bremner.  The Canadiens take on the Maple Leafs this night and Habs fans will unite to cheer their team on to victory!  An All Habs Trivia Challenge and prizes will also be on tap for the event, so be sure to reserve your seat early.

To reserve your seat for any of the events listed above, click on the "RSVP for a Habs Tweetup" tab at the top of the page.  When you arrive at any Habs Tweetup event, ask to be seated with the All Habs group to join the fun.  Be sure to show your Canadiens pride and come dressed in your best Habs gear!

These are just a few of the fun-filled fan events we've got planned for this year, so keep checking HabsTweetup.com and follow @habstweetup on Twitter to stay updated on events as they are announced.

Go Habs Go!

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Merry Christmas!

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- For almost two weeks, our All Habs family has shared some spectacular cookie recipes with you as we explored The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies.

From the sweet to the chocolate-y and everything in between, we hope you enjoyed indulging your sweet tooth along with us. If you missed any of the recipes, you'll find the links for all twelve days listed below. Be sure to let us know if you tried any recipes in the comment section!

From our family to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!

Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons

Day 2 - Almond Kisses

Day 3 - Banana Bread Cookies

Day 4 - Melomakarona

Day 5 - The Original Chocolate Chip Cookie

Day 6 - Chocolate Chip Bites with Salted Caramel Glaze

Day 7 - Apple Cider Snickerdoodles

Day 8 - Soft Gingersnaps

Day 9 - Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Day 10 - Cranberry Orange Cookies

Day 11 - Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Day 12 - Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

photo credits: Amy Johnson, Dayes, Rose's Recipes, FoodNetwork.com, AllRecipes.com, KidsCooking.About.com, VeryBestBaking.com

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, every creature was stirring, shoving cookies in their mouths! That's right folks the big day is almost here and that means that today's cookie baking is extra special: we've got to feed Old St. Nick tonight!

Today's cookie is thick and hearty, great for dunking and sure to keep you going while you (er, I mean Santa) wraps and delivers gifts.

Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
Recipe courtesy of "Hershey's Classic Recipes" from Publications International, Ltd.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 cups quick-cooking or regular rolled oats, uncooked
1 2/3 cups butterscotch chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, blend thoroughly.

3. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; gradually beat into butter mixture.

4. Stir in oats and butterscotch chips, mixing until distributed evenly throughout dough.

5. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet (line with parchment paper for easy cleanup).

6. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Be sure to put out extra for Mr. Claus, these are sure to disappear!

Day 1 - Raspberry Ribbons
Day 2 - Almond Kisses
Day 3 - Banana Bread Cookies
Day 4 - Melomakarona
Day 5 - The Original Chocolate Chip Cookie
Day 6 - Chocolate Chip Bites with Salted Caramel Glaze
Day 7 - Apple Cider Snickerdoodles
Day 8 - Soft Gingersnaps
Day 9 - Chocolate Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
Day 10 - Cranberry Orange Cookies
Day 11 - Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

photo credits: VeryBestBaking.com, SouthernPlate.com, Annies-Eats.com

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