Braly: Recipe contest up for grabs

Attention readers: If you want to enter the Times Free Press' annual holiday recipe contest e-mail me your favorites. There are five categories: appetizer, bread, side dish, entree and dessert. Enter just one category or all five. E-mail to abraly@timesfreepress.com.

CLEVELAND SHOPPERS

You will love having the new Aldi open Thursday at 315 Paul Huff Parkway. The store will be having a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m., and once the doors open, you'll finding product samples as well as all the usual great deals available at Aldi.

NEW ON THE MARKET...

Arnold Bread has a new line of bread, Healthfull, that is among the best whole-grain bread I've had, not only because of its taste but also because of its health benefits. I've been off and on Weight Watchers for several years now and have never had a bread with just one Weight Watchers point that was this good. Each slice has 80 calories and is an excellent source of protein and fiber to help keep you full just a little longer.

HERE'S A FUN IDEA

If you're looking for a great dinner party plan or want to give a gift to someone who has everything: Crate to Plate. This is a new program that allows you to lease your own lobster trap and get fresh Maine lobster delivered to your home.

Customers can select their own trap buoy in Penobscot Bay, Maine, from those available on the Crate to Plate interactive map at www.cratetoplate.com. All buoys are positioned (and possibly moved) for maximum poundage over the course of the fishing season. Customers can manage their catch online and track their buoy interactively in real time.

This sounds like a great opportunity, but it comes at a cost: $1,995 for a full season, overnight shipping included. You are guaranteed a minimum of 40 fresh lobsters, and the company says traps can easily yield as many as 60 in a season. A half season costs $1,195, with a guaranteed minimum of 20 lobsters, which may yield up to 30. In addition, Crate to Plate is offering a monthly plan for $395; monthly yields vary depending on the month. For all three plans, customers receive the actual catch from their trap for the allotted period of time.

Once you have your lobster, whether you find it locally or get it from Crate to Plate, here's a recipe from the Blue Point Grille in Cleveland, Ohio, via www.cdkitchen.com. I plan to try it with shrimp, which may not be as elegant as lobster but is a lot less expensive.

Blue Point Grille's Lobster Salad

1 pound fresh Maine lobster meat

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon fresh shallots, minced

1 tablespoon capers, minced

1/2 fresh lemon, juice of

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon fresh black pepper

Combine all ingredients and blend well.

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