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Sailing With Style
American Sailing E-News October 2012
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Greetings!
October is always an exciting month because of the huge United States Sailboat Show, which just concluded in Annapolis, Maryland. Hundreds of ASA sailors and instructors gathered to celebrate and promote sailing! And there's plenty more action this month. As you read this issue, ASA's flotilla in Grenada is underway, and inside you'll get a glimpse of our recently completed flotilla in Croatia. In addition, you'll get some tips on food & wine pairings to enjoy on board, learn some nautical trivia, and much more. Enjoy!
Please enjoy, and email us with your suggestions so that we can continue to improve it. We hope to see you at one of ASA's flotillas, member events, or regional boatshows soon!
Sincerely,
 Charlie Nobles Executive Director |
Photo of the Month
for October 2012
Glassy Adriatic Sea - Croatia Flotilla 2012
By Ben Miller
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Check it Out!
Our New Coastal Cruising Made Easy 103 Textbook
ASA is proud to release Coastal Cruising Made Easy, which will serve as the new official textbook for the ASA's Basic Coastal Cruising Standard course, ASA 103. Published in full color and containing striking world-class sailing photography from adventure photographer Billy Black, Coastal Cruising Made Easy features include a water-resistant cover, an extensive glossary of sailing terms, and a unique and definitive layout of full two-page diagrams throughout the book. This easy-to-read teaching tool follows the critically acclaimed Sailing Made Easy, released in 2010, which has become the new industry standard in sailing education.
Click here to buy. ASA members save 20% with member savings coupons. Don't have a coupon? Email Kathy to get one.
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Great Food and Wine Pairings Aboard!
by Captain Stacey Brooks, ASA Instructor and
Sea Dog Sailing School Owner
Time to switch gears from our usual recipes and start to think about tasty and affordable food and wine pairings aboard the boat. So far in our Nautical Chef series we have talked a lot about preparation, storage, safety, nutrition, culture and easy dishes. Now, I believe it's time to refine our focus and talk more about the subtle art of choosing the right wine to enjoy
on board.
As we all know, refrigeration is a tough challenge on a boat. So let's stick to three basic principles when we talk about wine:
First, affordability and local sourcing of wine. Virtually every sailing venue in the world will have a great local wine. Its as easy as going to the local market and having a look around. This is by far one of the most fun parts! Find a local wine that you enjoy and is within your price range.
Secondly, let's talk about the types of wines that work best on a boat. Unless you are aboard a yacht with specific temperature controlled areas for wines then lets keep it simple. It would be tough to store expensive deep, rich Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, etc. Instead, focus on wines like Pinot Grigio, Dry Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and perhaps a light Beaujolais or Pinot Noir. All of the wines listed here will be light, fresh and tasty with almost anything you prepare aboard. At the end of this article I will list some recipes along with great wine pairings for you to choose from. Enjoy!
And finally, the third thing to keep in mind is storage. Sailboats are notorious not only for continually changing temperatures, but tight and sometimes bizarre storage areas. The movement of the boat combined with the previous two problems can lead to total disaster for wine. So, as I said let's keep it simple.
Set aside a space in the chill box or a completely separate cooler for wine. Place ice in a several large gallon size zip lock bags and line the bottom of the cooler. This keeps your wine from rolling around and reduces the speed of the ice melt. Layer your wines in this fashion until you get to the top of the cooler. Lay another layer of bagged ice on the top and close the cooler tight. Wrap the cooler in a bungee cord and zip lock it to the base of your galley table or wherever you have a tight space that is not in a walkway.
While I am not a big fan of box wines, the bags inside the boxes are fantastic ways of storing wines on a boat. There is no risk of breaking bottles and dangerous glass shards flying around the boat. If you have a favorite wine you can always use a platypus bag or a camel back bag (easy to find at almost any outdoor gear store).
As sailors we enjoy a challenge, so take some of these ideas and massage them to make them your own. If you find something that works great aboard a boat, then by all means share it with me or other sailors! Fair winds and happy sailing (and drinking)! Enjoy some of the following recipes along with pairing tips!
Some cheeses go better with white wine, some with red; yet almost
all pair well with dry ros�, which has the acidity of white wine and the fruit character of red. For an indulgent cheese dish, try a Triple Decker Baked Italian Cheese Sandwich.
Ingredients:
- 8 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 2 white Pullman loaves-ends discarded, each loaf cut into twelve 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 1 pound sliced provolone cheese
- 1 pound Fontina cheese, coarsely shredded (about 5 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Preparation: - Preheat the oven to 325�. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the halved tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake the tomatoes cut side up for 1 1/2 hours, until soft and starting to brown. Sprinkle with the thyme leaves and bake for about 30 minutes longer, until the tomatoes are very tender and slightly shriveled but still juicy. Let cool.
- Increase the oven temperature to 375�. Brush 16 bread slices with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil; arrange 8 of the slices oiled side down on a large rimmed baking sheet. Top with the provolone and the unbrushed bread slices. Cover with the tomatoes, 4 cups of the Fontina and the remaining 8 bread slices, oiled side up. Press gently on the sandwiches and bake for about 15 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
- Preheat the broiler. Toss the remaining Fontina with the Parmigiano-Reggiano and sprinkle on the sandwiches. Broil 3 inches from the heat for about 1 minute, until the cheese is melted. Transfer the sandwiches to plates and serve.
Suggested Pairing
Dry, fragrant ros� from Provence.
Tangy foods-like Scallops with Grapefruit-Onion Salad won't overwhelm zippy wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Vinho Verde from Portugal and Verdejo from Spain.
Ingredients:
- 4 small ruby red grapefruits (about 2 pounds total)
- 3 tablespoons pickled cocktail onions
- 2 tablespoons packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Freshly ground pepper
- 24 sea scallops (about 2 pounds)
- Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Preparation: - Using a very sharp paring knife, peel the grapefruits, carefully removing all of the bitter white pith. Carefully cut in between the membranes to release the grapefruit sections into a bowl. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of grapefruit juice from the bowl. Stir in the pickled cocktail onions and parsley leaves and season with pepper.
- Pat the sea scallops dry and season them all over with salt. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil until it is shimmering. Cook the scallops over moderately high heat, turning once, until they are browned and just cooked through, about 4 minutes total. Spoon the pickled-onion-and-grapefruit salad onto small plates and arrange the scallops around the salad. Drizzle with olive oil and serve at once.
Make Ahead: The recipe can be prepared through Step 1, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours.
Suggested Pairing
Serve with a zingy Verdejo from central Spain.
Silky whites-for instance, Chardonnays from California, Chile or Australia-are delicious with fish like salmon or any kind of seafood in a lush sauce. Here are a couple of delicious recipes to try.
Sizzling Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients:
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large garlic cloves, very finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 pounds large shrimp-shelled and deveined, tails left on
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced basil leaves
- Crusty bread, for serving
Preparation: - Preheat the oven to 450�. In a medium bowl, mix the butter with the garlic, 2 teaspoons of the parsley, the lemon zest, lemon juice and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large gratin dish, arrange the shrimp, tails up, in a circular pattern. Dot the shrimp with the flavored butter and roast for about 10 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and the butter is bubbling. Sprinkle the shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley and the basil leaves. Serve hot with bread.
Make Ahead: The flavored butter can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 1 month.
Suggested Pairing
Serve with a full-bodied Australian Chardonnay.
Shrimp in Coconut Milk
Ingredients:
Coconut and cilantro are a popular duo. The herb is a favorite in India and shows up in coconut chutneys and in many of southern India's coconut curries, such as this one. Serve the shrimp with steamed rice, preferably basmati.
- 1/4 cup cooking oil
- 2 onions, chopped fine
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 cup drained whole canned tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (from a 15-ounce can)
- 2 1/2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk (from two 15-ounce cans)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, shelled
- 3/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Preparation: - In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Add the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, and turmeric and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the coconut milk, water, and salt and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook at a low boil, stirring frequently, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the shrimp to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just done, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Serve with the lime wedges.
Suggested Pairing
Sparkling wines go well with a wide variety of dishes. For an unexpected treat with this exotic curry, serve a good-quality bubbly from California.
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FEATURED FLOTILLA!
Exuma Islands Flotilla in the Bahamas
This is a unique flotilla on small 21 foot Sea Pearl sailboats. This flotilla will camp on the islands and tour the beautiful islands with a local guide. This flotilla is limited to 10 participants.
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 Nautical Trivia! For centuries, sailors have gathered on deck at night to view this magnificent cloud phenomena, shining against the otherwise black sky and reflecting on the still sea. What term is used to describe this cloud?
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NAUTICAL HUMOR
Your Time is Not My Time A boat painter was awarded the job of painting a small sail boat and when he was asked by the owner how long it would take him to finish the job, he replied, "Two weeks."
Three weeks went by and the owner, a little concerned of the delay, confronted the painter. "Hey Paul," said the owner, "You told me that it would take you two weeks to paint my boat and its been three weeks....What's up with that?" The painter put his paintbrush down, looked the owner square in the eye and said, "That was two NAUTICAL weeks, like a nautical mile, they're a little longer."
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THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Upcoming Events September 2012
For some, sailing season has ended, while others still have the long Columbus Day weekend for a chance to spend some time on the water. ASA sure isn't slowing, and here are some events to pay attention to:
Oct. 3-13:
ASA Genada Flotilla
---Our sold out flotilla heads to the Southern Caribbean for some relaxation and great sailing.
Oct. 4-8:
United States Sailboat Show Annapolis, MD
Oct. 31:
Know about some great sailing events
going on in your area in Nov/Dec 2012 Let us know!
Answer to trivia question
Noctilucent
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