Recipes

5 Seafood Dishes To Order To Guarantee a Second Date

By: Emily Mason

So you want to impress your date; it’s simple enough to pick out an outfit, it’s a breeze deciding that you’re going to go out to eat, but when you sit down at that table and open the menu, you better know what you’re doing.

Choosing to eat at a seafood restaurant is a bit risky—unless you already know the best seafood to satisfy your taste buds while impressing your date.

1. Shrimp Scampi

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Shrimp Scampi is a pasta dish with fettuccini noodles and a sauce of butter, garlic, olive oil, onions, and tarragon. The shrimp is sautéed in this mixture and poured over the pasta. A dash of shredded parmesan on top makes it an elegant and delicious dish, but just make sure to have a mint on hand after eating sauce with strong onion and garlic flavor.

2. Mofungo

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Mofungo is traditionally a Puerto Rican dish, and it does not disappoint. Mashed green plantains are seasoned with a sparse amount of olive oil and garlic, which are then formed into a bowl which contains either seasoned shrimp, Caribbean lobster, or Octopus. You may even be able to find this dish containing all three!

3. Blue Point Oysters

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It is very important that you specify that the oysters come from Blue Point. These oysters are much cleaner, thinner, saltier, and tastier than any other! Plus, if you know their specific origin, it just makes them seem all the more fancy.

4. Cedar Plank Salmon

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This dish contains fresh Salmon (I prefer king salmon, which has more of a buttery texture), which is grilled on a cedar plank and topped with sauce. This dish somewhat varies from restaurant to restaurant, but it is very good with a bourbon glaze. However, the fish always soaks in the flavor of the plank to get that delectable cedar taste.

5. Criollo Octopus

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This beautiful dish begins with the grilling of fresh Octopus. Drizzled on top is a vibrant criollo sauce composed of tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, sugar, salt, and sofrito (a Puerto Rican spice). It is very exotic dish that is sure to impress your date!

Guest Columns

Types of Sea Catches You Should Only Eat Raw

By: Nazifa Islam

Everyone always talks about how much safer to eat things cooked than raw. However, that isn’t going to stop me or you from enjoying the delicious taste of it, right? Here’s a list of sea catches that are the best when eaten raw and some tips you should be able to use!

Tip one: Before buying fish to eat raw, make sure it is labelled sushi-grade. This means it has already been pretreated to limit the risk of food-borne illnesses.

Tip two: High amounts of mercury can affect your nervous system. King mackerel and swordfish are among the types with the highest levels, so it’s best to avoid those.

Tip three: The gills should be moist and bright red (with the exception of mackerel whose gills are brown). The scales should be shiny and intact. If you poke your finger in the flesh, it should bounce back. Fresh fish have convex eyes (bright white) with shiny black pupils. Also check for any signs of browning due to oxidation!

Knowing this, lets move on to the best ones to eat raw!

1. Squid

source

Many people say they wont eat this because of it’s texture. Little do they know what they’re missing out on. It is rich in flavor and it contains umami, making it delicious. Thanks to the firmness of it, it’s easy to age and makes a great meal with rice and vinegar.

2. Uni (Urchin)

This is sweet and luscious!

3. Kurage (jellyfish)

When it is cut and drenched in a sesame-based sauce, it provides a very traditional taste. Unlike the common misconceptions, it has a slight crunch (not gooey) and is very clean.

4. Hamachi (yellowtail)

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It’s spicy, salty, and rich by itself!

5. Kampachi (Greater Amberjack)

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It has a very low mercury content and is high in omega fatty acids!

Guest Columns

The Fool Proof Way to Make She Crab Soup

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By Hannah Robinson

For those of you who have not had She-Crab Soup, let me explain:

1. Its buttery, creamy goodness will bring you to a warm and relaxed state of mind, even if you’re not actually at the beach breathing in that salty ocean air.

2. Crab is the perfectly tolerable seafood for those who don’t typically go for fish. Get over it; for this dish at least.

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“But Mooooom, I don’t like seafood!”

3. It is EASY to make, and pretty darn customizable too if you’re feeling Chef-y. For those of you who have had it and are aware of its rad-ness, cancel your Joe’s Crab Shack plans and hit the grocery. With just a few items you can whip up this meal by following the recipe below.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 small white onion, grated
1 stalk celery, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 quarts half and half cream
1 pint heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 pound lump crabmeat
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1/3 cup sherry wine

Optional Substitutions and Add-ins:

Rice
Corn
Carrots
Bay leaves
Chives
White Crab Stock
Lemon Juice
Tomato paste

Directions:

Melt that butter down in a large saucepan or stockpot over Medium. Stir in (and keep stirrin’) sifted flour until smooth and thick, about 3 minutes.

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Throw the onion, garlic, celery, and some Salt n’ Pepa in that ish and cook it ‘til it sweats a little, about 4 minutes.

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(Highly recommended that you actually jam out to Salt n Pepa while you cook.)

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Bust out the whisk and use it to mix in the half and half cream first, then the chicken broth and heavy cream.

Bring your pot to a simmer before you add about half of the sherry. At this point you also want to add the dill, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the soup is about 1/3 its original amount.

Add in the crabmeat and cook for a final 10 minutes; you want your crab to be hot, not overcooked.

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Ladle yourself a glorious cup of She-Crab, sprinkle on some fresh chives, splash in some sherry, and you have yourself one hell of a soup. Go ahead and open up a nice white wine while you’re at it, you deserve a reward because whisking is taxing.

Recipe provided by Allrecipes.com

Recipes

These Salmon Croquettes Will Impress Anyone – Guaranteed

The Awesome Ocean team loves sustainable seafood!

So we wanted to share our adaptation of this Salmon Croquettes recipe from Cooking Light.

The flaky salmon patties pair perfectly with a side salad of colorful greens and a light vinaigrette. This meal comes together quickly and is sure to impress any guests or the whole family.

Check it out!

Ingredients

1/4 cup organic canola mayonnaise (such as Spectrum), divided

4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, divided

2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided

1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

2 (6-ounce) packages skinless, boneless pink salmon

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon finely chopped capers

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Combine 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard, and next 7 ingredients (through egg), stirring well. Add panko; toss. Shape mixture into 8 (3-inch) patties.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties; cook 5 minutes on each side or until browned.

3. Combine remaining mayonnaise, juice, and mustard with parsley, capers, garlic, and salt, stirring well.

4. Plate salmon patties and drizzle sauce over top.

Recipe by Ann Taylor Pittman, Cooking Light – January 2010.

Recipes

9 Southern Seafood Recipes, Y’all!

photo credit: Food Network

By: Hanna Hiel

The South is famous for its cuisine. There are some foods that are best when made the Southern way. The following are 9 recipes for some of the most well-known Southern seafood dishes.

1. She-Crab Soup

photo: DishMaps.com

This dish is an icon for Charleston, South Carolina, where you don’t have to search too much for a good seafood restaurant. This Southern Living piece links you to a great recipe, and even gives you the low-down on blue crabs – a staple for a fresh She-Crab Soup.

Get the recipe.

2. Shrimp and Grits

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photo: Food Network

There are very few side dishes that match shrimp quite as well as grits do. Shrimp’n’grits is essential to the vocabulary of a Southerner. Use this recipe to get the perfect shrimp and creamy grits.

Get the recipe.

3. Crab Cakes

photo: HowToFeedALoon.com

Crab Cakes are as essential to the South as Sunday brunch. This recipe is comfort at its very best.

Get the recipe.

4. Jambalaya

photo: CookDiary.net

No one does Jambalaya better than Louisiana. You can find it in a box at the supermarket, but you’re better off using this recipe.

Get the recipe.

5. Grilled Oysters

photo: wintzellsoysterhouse.com

There’s nothing quite like an oyster roast! Invite the neighbors and impress everyone with this delicious recipe!

Get the recipe.

6. Oven Fried Catfish

photo: grandbaby-cakes.com

Southerners love them some spice! After a long day of fishing, this is the perfect recipe to fill you up! The best part about this recipe is that it’s oven fried. It saves you from all the extra fat of frying it without skimping on the flavor!

Get the recipe.

7. Low Country Boil

photo: noblepig.com

This recipe is a great guide to the classic seafood boil. Just the pictures on this webpage will make your mouth water. To turn it up a notch, make sure to use the freshest seafood you can find.

Get the recipe.

8. Crab Dip

photo: simplecomfortfood.com

Your life is not complete without a fantastic crab dip recipe. This one gives you all the creamy, cheesy, crabby goodness that you need for the health of your soul.

Get the recipe.

9. Cajun Lasagna

photo: creolecontessa.com

Here’s one you might not have heard of! Cajun lasagna incorporates shrimp and crab meat into a classic favorite.

Get the recipe.

With these dishes, you’re on your way to that comfortable food coma that so often accompanies Southern meals. There’s a reason its called soul food, so if you need some good Southern comfort, these recipes are perfect for you!

Recipes

5 Reasons To Eat Way More Seafood

Image source: www.seriouseats.com

1) We don’t eat nearly enough

The Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency recommends a minimum of 8 ounces and a maximum of 12 ounces of seafood per week. Well, according to a recent USDA analysis, 80 to 90 percent of Americans don’t consume close to the recommended amount.

That’s a striking majority of the American population. And why pass up the bounty of the sea?

2) It’s good for you (Like real good)

Fish contains varying amounts of mercury, a heavy metal and environmental pollutant. Many people steer away from fish because excessive mercury can build-up in our tissues and eventually cause brain damage.

But the health benefits from eating seafood heavily outweigh any minimal risks.

Eating fish dramatically improves children’s brain development, helps prevent dying of a heart attack, slows brain aging, and lowers the risk of depression and mood disorders. Also, fish is rich in healthy omega-3 fat, which is known to help neutralize mercury’s negative effects.

Image source: www.thepeachydiaries.com

3) It could step up your cooking game

Salmon, shrimp, pollock, tuna, tilapia, catfish, trout.
Grilled, seared, baked, blackened, or even simmered into a stew.

There is a widespread range of fish to choose for your masterpiece and a number of ways to cook it.

If you don’t know where begin, don’t worry. Cooking fish can be easy. It’s one of the quickest-cooking proteins, which makes it less time consuming than other meals. Want to take it slow? Just start with baking a fillet of fish. If you bake the fish (rather than grilling or broiling it) the lower temperature with help you catch it from becoming overdone.

To start off preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place the fish fillet on a spayed baking sheet. Take your pick: Season with salt and pepper, Old Bay, Cajun spices, or lemon or lime juice. Bake the fish for only 10 minutes. To tell if it’s fully cooked, make sure it’s no longer transparent and flakes easy when you fork it.
This could be the beginning of a whole new culinary world (And one that’s 100% less cut-throat than that of Gordon Ramsey).

The world is your oyster.

Image source: www.seriouseats.com

4) It doesn’t have to be expensive

It can be expensive, but if you know how to look, buying seafood can be in the same price range as buying a steak or even chicken breast. Ask the employee at the fish counter of your grocery store to help you pick out the cheapest and best quality seafood. Go to your local fish market or fishmonger for a fresh and budget-friendly cut of the day. Frozen and canned seafood is also a great option with equally good health benefits (just be wary of added sodium).

Image source: suggestkeyword.com

5) It could help you slim down

Eating seafood can help with weight management. It’s a great source of protein and low in calories, sodium and cholesterol.

And you can cut down on red meat by substituting one hamburger, Sloppy Joe or steak filet for a delicious fish dinner. Sounds like a great way to participate in meatless Mondays.

Image source: www.seriouseats.com

h/t: The Washington Post

Recipes

9 New England Must Eat Seafood Dishes: Recipes Included!

As a New Englander I feel confident when I say that not all things are created equal – and by things I mean seafood dishes. If you’ve ever tried to order Clam Chowder from a restaurant not in New England then you know what I’m talking about.

I remember picking out the perfect lobster from the fresh market when we would visit family in Maine, stealing all the whole-bellies when my mom ordered the clam basket at the Crab Shack, and my first steamed mussel – mmmm!

Now, not everyone has had or will have the opportunity to experience what real Clam Chowder tastes like, so instead of making your mouth water and leaving you to wonder, we have included recipes to make your very own New England Seafood feast.

Enjoy!

1. New England Clam Bake

Valerie Aikman-Smith // Smoke and Spice // via Leites Culinaria // photo by Erin Kunkel

Perfect for any special occasion. Traditionally cooked in a sand pit lined with stones on the beach, the clam bake is the perfect way to cook all of your favorite shellfish over a bed of seaweed.

2. Lobster Roll

Recipe and photo via Elles New England Kitchen,

An oldie but a goodie! Lobster meat soaked with hot butter and packed into a top-sliced bun, buttered and toasted. No need to break the bank on this one, grab one from any road-side stand and you’ll never be disappointed.

3. Steamed Lobster

Recipe and photo from Carolyn Cope at Umami Girl

There is nothing more satisfying than getting every ounce of this sweet meat out of one of these suckers. Let’s get crackin’!

4. Clam Cakes

This Clam Cakes recipe is from Sherry at Olives-N-Okra

Also known as clam fritters – grab these bites of deep fried goodness from any take-out joint in Rhode Island. Eat them on their own, with clam chowder, or dipped in tartar sauce.

5. Clam Shack Clams

Recipe and photo by Jasper White // The Summer Shack Cookbook // via Leites Culinaria

An iconic New England dish, “fried clams are to New England what barbecue is to the South.” You’ll find the best strips and whole bellies at sea side clam shacks – served with slaw and tartar sauce.

6. New England Clam Chowder

Recipe and photo from J. Kenji Lopez-Alt via Serious Eats

Creamy and delicious. You’ll know when it’s right and you’ll know when it’s wrong. Side note: if it’s not served with oyster crackers, walk out. Walk out NOW.

7. Steamed Mussles

Recipe and photo from Malcolm Bedell via From Away

A good batch of steamed mussels in a white wine sauce will change your life.

8. Beer Battered Fish and Chips

via Food Network

If you’re looking for comfort food, look no further.

9. New England Steamers

Recipe and photo from Elise Bauer via Simply Recipes

These soft shell clams are easy to find and inexpensive to buy in the summer months in New England. Soak in saltwater before cooking.

Recipes

1. Shrimp Scampi

2. Mofungo

3. Blue Point Oysters

4. Cedar Plank Salmon

5. Criollo Octopus

1. Squid

2. Uni (Urchin)

3. Kurage (jellyfish)

4. Hamachi (yellowtail)

5. Kampachi (Greater Amberjack)

Ingredients

Preparation

1. She-Crab Soup

2. Shrimp and Grits

3. Crab Cakes

4. Jambalaya

5. Grilled Oysters

6. Oven Fried Catfish

7. Low Country Boil

8. Crab Dip

9. Cajun Lasagna

1. New England Clam Bake

2. Lobster Roll

3. Steamed Lobster

4. Clam Cakes

5. Clam Shack Clams

6. New England Clam Chowder

7. Steamed Mussles

8. Beer Battered Fish and Chips

9. New England Steamers

Bon Appétit!