There are days when what to make for dinner is the last thing you want to think about. You’ve had a long day at work, got involved in a project or simply don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Everyone has their go-to recipe for times like these. The choice is often a sandwich of some sort or some leftovers from the back of the fridge.
What I was seeking was a dish that’s nutritious and doesn’t require hours of time to prepare, yet doesn’t compromise quality and is delicious.
In my quest to find a recipe that met these criteria, a member of our community came through. I was told that there was a deputy at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office who liked to tinker in the kitchen and was pretty darn good at it. By George (no pun intended), I found just the person, Harpswell’s very own Deputy Sheriff George Lee Bradbury.
His recipe was perfect: baked lemon haddock. What better choice is there than seafood? Haddock is high in protein, low in calories and readily available. Besides, we live on the coast of Maine, so what could be more fitting? This dish is so versatile. It can be tweaked with a minor addition of spice to your liking or baked as it stands. One thing is for sure: With time being of the essence on some days, this is one recipe you will want to return to again and again.
BRADBURY’S BACHELOR HADDOCK
Ingredients:
2 pounds of haddock
3 lemons
Italian herb breadcrumbs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Lay the filets of haddock in the pan and top with breadcrumbs. Slice 2 of the lemons and lay them on the haddock filets. Cut the 3rd lemon in half and squeeze it over the filets. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with rice or your favorite side dish.
March’s contributor, George Lee Bradbury, was born in Maine, has resided in Harpswell since 2002 and has been a deputy sheriff here since 1990. He has three children: Parker and Noah, who volunteer with Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue; and a daughter, Faith, who attends the University of New Hampshire. Along with cooking, he spends his spare time “upta” camp, his very own piece of paradise in Portage.
Cooking at 43° North is a program of Harpswell Aging at Home. Through this column, the program shares favorite dishes from friends and neighbors in the community.
HAH always needs cooks for its Meals in a Pinch program, which provides nutritious meals to seniors in need. For more information, contact Julie Moulton at 207-330-5416 or juliemoulton28@gmail.com.
