CHEFS LOG ALASKA DATE JULY 28 2010

We say goodbye to Sawyer Glacier and its entrance waterfall for the last time this season. On our way to Cape Fanshaw we weave our way through a water skiers dream seas, just like glass, giving us the advantage to spot whales on the horizon. As we near the 5 Brothers Islands, where we have been lucky enough more than once to see humpbacks spouting and bubble feeding. Ah ha, they are doing just that. Not a pod or in a grouping. We can hardly see them under the water. They are lazy rogue whales, singularly, slowly moving in their play and feeding ground.

It's lunch time and everyone is eager to be called to the table. The dining room is right in the main salon with panoramic views so whale spouting, eagle soaring or porpoise jumping with the wake will not be missed. I understand that a hearty breakfast of wild mushroom frittata, turkey sausages and cherry scones with lashings of butter and drizzled with homemade cherry syrup give way to a lighter soup & salad lunch. Keeping guests balanced is my way of keeping them smiling. I profess there are no "fat, calories or cholesterol on board" ... with a wink and a smile. They laugh as they take the last bite and push themselves away from the table. Moseying over a few steps to the galley and circling for the last cookie or two on the sheet pan ... and by the way "what is for dinner?"     

MY SISTER APRIL"S BROCOLLI and BLUE CHEESE and APPLE SLAW
Baby April, as I so fondly call her, is a wonderful cook and that is only topped by the amazing ways she can decorate a room and tablescape. I adore her!
2 pkgs. (12 oz each) broccoli slaw
1 pkg. (10 oz.) julienne carrots
1 bunch green onion diagonal sliced
1 c. chopped fresh parsley
1 c. chopped fresh dill
1 c. dried cranberries
1 Red Delicious apple sliced thin
1 Granny Smith apple sliced thin
1½ c. crumbled blue cheese    
1 small jar of lite blue cheese dressing (your choice)
2 heads of Bibb lettuce or Romaine lettuce
1 c. toasted pecan or any favorite nut
Mix together the broccoli slaw, carrots, green onion, fresh herbs, cranberries and apples. Add crumbled blue cheese. Toss with dressing just before serving.
Place leaves of lettuce on plates. Mound salad in center and sprinkle with nuts.
If you prefer to use another dressing rather than blue cheese, try a raspberry vinaigrette and any favorite cheese of your choice. Enjoy!

Cape Fanshaw proves to be too exposed with the threat of northerlles coming through the coast guard radio weather report. We decide to cast our fate and move on to a place that our friends often drop their anchor. A beautiful spot it is and no wonder whale whisperer, Captain John of the MV Discovery secures his hook in this beautiful anchorage. Our guests are anxious to kayak, explore the area on the shoreline and by skiff.tion

Dropping our crab pots we hoped for some Dungeness, but we were all a bit taken back when an extra large star fish attached itself to the pot and ate up all the bait. Everyone looked to me as if to say "you don't have a recipe for star fish do you?"