Give me healthy food inspiration.

[wolfman]

I am finally in a decent place financially, and I need to expand my menu. If have been trying to be dirt cheep and healthy and I'm damn tired of it. I need to expand, and I can be somewhat more spendy, but nothing extravagant.

I also hate shopping in a store of any kind. I just want to get out as fast as possible. So I usually shop in a preprogrammed route, stopping where I know and grabbing the usual. But this weekend I have decided to break out of my rut. I haven't been anyplace but the big-ass supermarket for a while, but this weekend I am planning to hit a farmers market or specialty store, and get some good stuff. I am not in a great fish area. I have only been going seafood on frozen farm raised stuff, with the very occasional frozen Mahi Mahi or swordfish. But fresh fish is sounding pretty good about now.

But I know I won't browse. I will target and acquire. So I need some suggestions before hand. either Ingredients, or whole dishes. Not just fish, But anything you have been thinking of recently that is damn good, but just gets forgotten these days. I am well taken care of in the beef-chicken-pork spectrum, but innovative ways for these will be duly appreciated.

[Athena]

Fresh diver scallops are the best, and easy to prepare. This is definitely a food that it pays to get the freshest you can find, and avoid frozen scallops - low quality scallops tend to be tasteless.

Grab a few scallops and some Wondra flour. Spread the Wondra on a plate or shallow dish, add some salt & pepper. Dredge each scallop in the flour, and saute in butter or bacon fat for 3-5 minutes each side. Serve by itself, or with lemon, or with a mild vinaigrette.

Asparagus is in season (at least, in the north) and also easy to prepare. You can grill it, or steam it in a little water. Toss with butter & salt when it's done. If you're going to grill it, toss it in olive oil and salt before grilling.

Check out Mark Bittman's Minimalist column in the NY Times for more ideas for seasonal, easy-to-prepare recipes.