Scrumptious Seafood Dishes: Wholesome & Healthy

Seafood cooked the right way, without too much additional oil, cream and mayonnaise is extremely healthy. Seafood is a great source of protein and various kinds of minerals. Seafood is essentially good for the heart and is also consumed for overall wellbeing. Seafood can be cooked in various ways but the main point is to make it taste good without compromising on flavor or taste.

Cooking seafood

There are various kinds of seafood items that you can rustle up in the kitchen like lobster, shrimp, squid, crab, different types of fish, mussels, clams, and even scallops. Cooking scallops is a little tricky but if you know the fundamentals of cooking and can follow the recipe to the T, then cooking a dish with scallops in it, won’t be difficult. You can try and prepare Seared Scallops with Ragout, the next time you want to experiment with seafood. Here’s what you’ll need.

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• Strips of bacon, 2

• Butternut squash, cubed, about 4-5 cups

• Scallops, 2 large

• Butter, 1 tablespoon

• Minced shallots, 2

• Salt and pepper, as required

• Minced garlic, 2 cloves

• Chives, ½ a bunch

• White wine, 3 tablespoon

Method

To make the dish, first cube the squash if they haven’t been cut already. Then, take a small pot and immerse the squash in cold water and simmer it on high flame. After five to 15 minutes, check if they’re done, if so then strain them and allow them to cool. After this, cut the bacon in cubes and crisp them in a sauté pan. Once done, keep the bacon aside but preserve the drippings separately. Then, heat the sauté pan again, and dry season the scallops after patting them dry. Add butter to the pan and sear the scallops in it. Cook each side for around a minute and remove on paper towels and keep warm.

In the same sauté pan add the shallots, crispy bacon and garlic and sauté for around a minute. Then add the white wine, squash and chives. This is your ragout. Serve the scallops on a bed of this squash ragout.

You can make many such dishes with seafood. However, if you are looking for a healthy seafood recipe, something that uses less oil and fat, then you can either skip the bacon in this recipe or you can look for other recipes online. Various kinds of healthy seafood recipes are found online.

Cook Delicious and Nutritious Salmon Dishes in Your Own Kitchen

According to some medical bulletins, eating two or three servings of fish each week is one of the best ways to stay healthy and ward off certain types of diseases and illnesses. Salmon is one of the most nutritious varieties of fish that you can add to your diet. They are rich in iron, niacin, vitamin B12, zinc and vitamin B6, in addition to a host of nutrients you require for maintaining good health.

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So, if you are considering giving salmon a try, go for wild-caught, clean and freshwater salmon only, as they are harvested through sensible fisheries management. However, it is not easy to find wild salmon, as market today is dominated by artificial salmon. You can visit some online stores, as chances of you catching some wild salmon are high on these stores.

Salmon makes a host of delicacies that are cooked in different ways. Here is salmon dish that you could prepare in your home effortlessly. To help you cook delicious salmon dish with greater ease in your home, recipe is also being presented along with the dish.

Pan Seared Salmon with Avocado Remoulade Recipe

Ingredients

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• Cut and peeled avocados, 2, large
• Freshly squeezed lime juice, 3 tbsp
• Light olive oil, 3-4 tbsp
• Minced shallots or green onion, 1 tbsp
• Minced parsley, 1 tbsp
• Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon, or to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Salmon fillets, 1 – 1 ½ pounds
• Grape-seed or canola oil

Cooking Instruction

• Into a food processor or blender, add pieces of avocado and lime juice. Pulse the mixture until properly blended. Now, add olive oil, keep pulsing until the desired consistency of sauce is achieved. After that, you need to add minced shallots and parsley, and combine them well by continuing to pulse. Remove the sauce to a bowl and add mustard, salt and pepper according to taste.

• Now, take a sauté pan and coat its bottom with oil, put it on medium high heat until it’s almost smoking. Season each side of salmon fillets with salt and pepper and carefully place the salmon into the pan by keeping the skin side down. Continue to cook until the medium doneness is achieved, it will take about 3 to 4 minutes each side.

• And now, serve the salmon with avocado remoulade sauce.

There are several other salmon dishes that you can try cooking in your home.

Scrumptious Seafood Dishes that can be rustled up in a Jiffy

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Seafood is a favorite amongst foodies all over the world. Seafood has a fresh yet delicious flavor and brings out the characteristics of the sea. The texture and flavor of various seafood items are unique and loved by most gourmands and connoisseurs of good food. Seafood is not just limited to different sorts of fish. Seafood also includes shrimps, prawns, lobsters, crabs, mussels, oysters, scallops, clams, squids and many more.

Getting it Right

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To bring out the best flavors in seafood items, they need to be cooked just right. The trick to make the perfect seafood dish is to use all the right ingredients. You shouldn’t use overpowering or strong ingredients for they drown out the flavors of the seafood item. You shouldn’t use ingredients that are too mild for they will make your dish bland. You need to balance the ingredients in such a way that the seafood item tastes even better.

Recipes to Try Out

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There are hundreds of delicious seafood recipes you can try making. Some of the yummy dishes that you can try making are, Grilled Halibut with Peach and Pepper Salsa, Bourbon-Glazed Salmon, Southwestern-Style Shrimp Taco Salad, Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans, Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi, Crab Cakes with Spicy Rémoulade, Scallop Piccata with Sautéed Spinach, Mussels in Tomato-Wine Broth, Simple Lobster Risotto, Spicy Corn and Crab Chowder, Paella Valencia, Cioppino-Style Seafood Stew, Shrimp-Stuffed Shells, and many more.

Health Benefits

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These dishes are more or less simple to make and require ingredients that enhance the flavor of the fish or other seafood item. Seafood is also extremely healthy as it is low in calories and fat and high in protein. In fact, seafood is also considered to be the healthiest animal protein. Seafood is rich in a fatty acid called Omega 3 and minerals like selenium and magnesium. There are various other nutrients that seafood is rich in. However, if seafood is deep fried, it will no longer remain low in calories and fat. Seafood is healthiest when grilled, steamed, boiled, broiled or baked. However, if they are cooked in moderate amount of oil, it can still be considered as healthy.

Seafood dishes need to be prepared with care. In case you want to cook delicious and yummy recipes, you can look up easy recipes online and cook them to perfection. Seafood is one of the tastiest food items on the face of earth and it needs to be cooked well to taste good.

A Couple of Quick Seafood Dinner Ideas for Your Party

When it comes to celebrations, including a seafood dish in the menu is must. Whether it is a success party, anniversary, birthday party or just the friends’ rendezvous, sea foods add spice to the party menu. Various kinds of sea foods are found and eaten around the world. Some of the most consumed sea foods are lobsters, mussels, shrimps, crabs, oysters, etc.

Having a seafood dinner to prepare? The best thing about seafood dishes is they can be made fast and quick. It takes you only a few minutes to come up with a delicious seafood dinner. Here is a couple of quick seafood dinner ideas that you will like to incorporate while planning for a seafood dinner with your loved ones.

Shrimp Cajun Magic – If you want to experience the real taste of shrimp, prepare Cajun Magic as it is being suggested below.

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Ingredients

• Butter, 1 cup
• Chopped onion, 1
• Minced garlic, 2 cloves
• Red pepper, 1 tsp crushed
• Black pepper, 1 tsp
• Thyme, ½ tsp
• Rosemary, ½ tsp
• Oregano, ¼ tsp
• Worcestshire sauce, 1 tsp
• Chicken broth, ½ cup
• Beer, ½ cup
• French bread, for dipping
• Cooked white rice to serve on
• Shrimp, 1 lb, large

How to Prepare?

Take a skillet and melt half of butter in it. Now, add onion and next nine ingredients along with shrimp. Cook for almost 1 minute by constantly stirring and mix in the remaining chicken broth and butter. Then, you need to cook the mixture for 2 to 5 minutes before and after stirring in beer. Now, place the skillet on table with rice and bread. Let others serve themselves.

Cheddar Biscuits – Another seafood dinner to try is cheddar biscuits, which could be an ultimate addition to your homemade lobster feast. Take a look at the recipe.

Ingredients

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• Bisquick, buttermilk baking mix, 2 cups
• Cheddar cheese, 2/3 cup sharply shredded
• Milk, 2/3 cup
• Melted butter, 1/4 cup
• Garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon

How to Prepare?

You need to preheat the oven to 450 degrees and then, mix in cheese, biscuit mix and milk in a bowl. Now, form soft dough and knead it for 10 times. Spoon the dough over a non-greased cookie sheet and bake it for almost 8 to 10 minutes. When it turns golden brown, dress the hot biscuits with melted butter. Sprinkle the garlic powder before serving it to your guests.

There are more quick seafood dinner ideas, which you can get on the website of some online food retailer.

The Essential Side Dishes with a Delicious Lobster Dinner

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There are only a few entrees more delicious and tender than lobster. Lobsters are healthy and a vital source of protein in human body. While serving lobster as the main course, you should round out your dinner in the company of side dishes that add different textures and flavours to the meal and allow the lobster shine. You should pick the side dishes that can be prepared quick and easily so that you can focus on cooking the lobster perfectly. Not only you but children are also sure to be fascinated by the appetizing main course. The flavour of lobster will swiftly win them over.

While preparing the menu for a lobster dinner, you should always focus on its accompaniments. Here are the lobster dinner accompaniments that you should include while serving the delicious lobster meal.

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Lobster

Lobster is obviously the centrepiece of every lobster dinner. You should pick live lobster either from the marketplace or online stores on the day of your dinner for utmost freshness. Moreover, do not forget to take a head count before buying because lobster is expensive and buying in excess may become costly to you.

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Dipping Sauces

A variety of dipping sauces are the best way to complement your lobster meat. Though people traditionally use butter but expanding on your offerings will allow your guests to choose their favourite flavour. You can go for a lemon aioli for acidic tastes whereas mix garlic and butter together offer a twist on traditional butter. Many people prefer to include their own favourite creamy salad dressings or prepared sauces and creamy dips.

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Vegetables

While accompanying vegetables, you should keep in mind to include the vegetable offerings that are easy and simple to cook. Steamed broccoli or corn on the cob could be ideal vegetable side dish, steam them while lobster is cooking. Alternatively, including a cold vegetable dish like a green bean or cucumber salad with creamy cole slaw dressing may also prove to be a good choice.

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Bread

Bread does not only add starch to the lobster meal but it is of great help when it comes to soak up the lobster juice. To add extra flavour, you can serve the dipping sauce as well. Make sure to prepare the cornbread well ahead of time for a classic lobster dinner. As an alternative, go for rolls or loaves of bread and just heat them in oven for a few minutes before serving.

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Salad

Since lobster is a luxurious meal, including a light salad is vital. You can prepare a fresh vegetable salad with tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers and other preferred vegetables. Salad dressing should be light and creamy dressing can be added just before serving. You can also serve the salad dry and let your guests choose their favourite dressing.

So, if you are planning for a sumptuous lobster dinner, accompany it with rich and healthy side dishes.

Seafood is good for Health if eaten in Moderation

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Recently, studies revealed that fish or different types of seafood should not be consumed everyday as they may contain mercury which may lead to mercury poisoning. However, research also reveals that fish and different types of seafood are also rich in nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamin D, protein and is also extremely low in fat. It was also debated that if people are so afraid of mercury poisoning, then they should also stop breathing and eating vegetables as traces of mercury is also found in the air, water, plants and soil as mercury is an element that exists naturally.

How much is fine?

Eating fish and other types of seafood in moderation, like twice a week, is considered to be absolutely fine and harmless. Even children and pregnant women can consume moderate portions of fish like trout, catfish, bass, and many more at least twice a week without any worries. If an excessive amount of it is consumed then obviously, mercury will have adverse and toxic effects on lungs, kidneys, eyes, skin, nervous system, immune system and the digestive system.

Who are most at risk?

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Small children and unborn babies have the highest risk of damage caused by mercury as they go through fast neurological development in the years from the last trimester of pregnancy till the first two year of birth. These years are most susceptible to any kind of damage that mercury can cause. Other than this, fish and other types of seafood is the healthiest form of animal protein one can consume as it is low in fat and calories and have high protein content.

The Good Points

Seafood is also full of omega 3 and selenium that is very good for the heart and helps keep, coronary heart diseases at bay and the selenium also helps in the development of the brain. Therefore, if eaten in moderation fish and other types of seafood, is extremely good for health.

Your Loved Ones Would Love to Gorger on Shrimp Burger this Holiday Season

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Shrimp is one of the most popular and widely consumed sea foods around the world. Shrimps are of different types and species, which have their own flavour, texture and cooking methods. There are more than 300 species of shrimps found throughout the world, some of which are Farm Raised Shrimp, Imported Shrimp, Gulf Shrimp, Tiger Shrimp and Cold water Shrimp.

The texture and flavour of shrimps depend a lot on the water they are raised in and what they eat. It is natural for wild shrimps to consume seaweed and crustaceans due to which they are thicker shells and more enriched flavour.

In America, shrimps are found in abundance off the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards. Around 95 percent of shrimps are caught between May and October from the warm waters of Gulf States and South Atlantic.

When it comes to nutritional facts, shrimps are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and contain low levels of mercury. Like other sea-foods, they contain high levels of protein, calcium and iodine but low levels of food energy. A meal based on shrimp contributes significant levels of cholesterol in human body. Consumption of shrimp benefits the circulatory system because low levels of saturated fat and high cholesterol content develops the LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio and minimises triglycerides.

The Christmas is round the corner and people are busy planning for the holiday season. They have embraced the holiday spirit. Having a delicious dinner during the holiday is an important part of the holiday enjoyment in the company of loved ones.

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So, if you are looking for an extremely easy yet delicious recipe to prepare this weekend, a shrimp burger is the best bet. You do not need to put in lots of efforts while preparing the shrimp burger, usually made with mayonnaise and breadcrumbs. You only require is pouring the mixture in a food processor and swiftly marinade in butter. Most people love to enjoy their shrimp burger with tartar sauce and iceberg, though cocktail sauce can also be a good idea.

So, are you all set to start cooking the shrimp burger? If yes, you will need certain things to get started. Take a look at the ingredients of the recipe

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• Burger buns, 6
• Peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 ¼ pounds
• Mayonnaise, 1/3 cup
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• Pepper, ½ teaspoon
• Butter, 2 tablespoons
• Tartar sauce
• Iceberg lettuce

To prepare the shrimp burger, you will at first need to grind 2 burger buns in a food processor and then, transfer it to a bowl. Now, add shrimp in the processor and mix breadcrumbs, salt, mayonnaise and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties. Now, take a skillet and melt butter into it. Cook it over the medium heat, turning once. It will take around 9 minutes to come up with a thorough-cooked shrimp burger.

Spread the tartar sauce and lettuce over the buns and enjoy the shrimp burger with your family and friends. This is one of the best and easy dishes to enjoy the holiday season.

Fight the Cold Chill with Scrumptious, Hot Seafood Stews

When longing for a bowl of warmth in the fall season, most people tend to include chili and beef stew in their diet. Time factor is the biggest trouble with both of these options. To come up with the best versions of each, you need long simmers. This develops the great and comforting flavors that you are looking for in the dishes.

However, not everybody has the time to simmer for long. So, if you are planning to prepare stew dishes on the weekdays, the scrumptious seafood stew could be the best bet. The seafood stew is as rich and flavorful as a fine chili or meat stew could be. Seafood can be cooked easily and quickly, unlike beef that requires long simmer to attain the tenderness.

To prepare seafood stew, you do not have to follow any given set of rules. You can add or subtract the ingredients as per your wish and taste. But, keep in mind to cook the seasonings with onion and oil first. It helps them attain the deep flavors that normally require longer cooking time.

Here is a seafood stew recipe for spicy shrimp and Haddock stew

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Ingredients

• Olive oil, 2 tablespoons

• Diced russet potatoes, 2

• Diced yellow onion, large, 1

• Minced garlic cloves, 4

• Dried thyme, 1 teaspoon

• Smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon

• Red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon

• Lightly crushed fennel seeds, ¼ teaspoon

• Chopped celery, 2 stalks

• Diced tomatoes, 15-ounce can

• Clam juice, 8-ounce bottle

• Water, 2 cups

• Raw and shelled extra-large shrimp, 1 pound

• Haddock, cut into small chunks, 1 pound

• Chopped fresh parsley, ¼ cup

• Chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon

• Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon

• Ground black pepper and salt, to taste

Now, the dish will take around 50 minutes to fully get prepared. Have a look at the preparation method of the dish.

• Take a large saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Heat the olive oil. Mix the potatoes, onion, thyme, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes and fennel seeds. Cook for around 5 minutes until onion is softened. Keep stirring.

• Add the tomato juice, clam juice, celery and water. Bring to a simmer. Now, cook for around 30 minutes after reducing the heat to low. The potatoes will turn tender.

• Add the shrimp and haddock. Increase the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Shrimps turn pink and haddock flakes easily. Mix in the parsley, lemon juice and dill. Season with salt and pepper

The dish is prepared. Below are the nutritional facts per serving of the shrimp and haddock stew.

• 210 calories

• 45 calories from fat

• 5g fat

• 120mg cholesterol

• 15g carbohydrate

• 2g fibre

• 3g sugar

• 24g protein

• 570mg sodium

This stew can also be enjoyed on the normal weekdays, as it does not take too long to prepare. Enjoy the delicious stew with your family and friends whenever you wish to.

Know about the health benefits of your Favourite Seafood

Do you know that even the weekly consumption of seafood diet can reduce the risk of heart diseases by half? Seafood dishes are quite healthy for people prone to heart attacks and other heart related health disorders. Sea-foods are consist of various nutritious elements, which prove beneficial for improving body functions and keep the health in check. Sea-foods like crabs, squid, prawns, octopus and lobsters have plenty of vitamins, fish oil and minerals.

As most sea-foods contain Omega-3 fatty acid, they help body fight against heart diseases and keep the heart healthy for long times. Cholesterol is found in fewer amounts, so it does not affect your health any way. However, pregnant women should avoid eating sea-foods.

Additionally, people should try to eat fresh seafood and avoid frozen products as they contain high amount of sodium. On an average, 6 grams of sodium should be consumed each day.

Take a look at some seafood health benefits of different seafood products, here are they:

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Smoked Salmon

A high level of Omega 3 fatty acids are found in smoked salmon. According to some studies, marine foods are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid, which helps in preserving eyesight. Most people lose their eyesight due to macular degeneration causing fuzzy and blurred vision by age progression.

Almost 20 percent of daily protein intake can be consumed by four slices of Salmon. However, Salmon should be avoided, if your blood pressure is high.

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Crab

They are ten-legged crustacean, high in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids. Crabs are also rich in selenium, chromium, copper, calcium and zinc.

Omega 3 fatty acid reduces the inflammatory conditions in patients of arthritis while selenium is considered a powerful antioxidant.

On an average, 100 grams of crab contain only 128 calories helping people fight various heart ailments.

People suffering from high cholesterol should consume crabs occasionally.

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Lobsters

Lobsters are rich in iodine, selenium and vitamins B whereas low level of calories, saturated fats and cholesterol are found in this seafood.

Vitamins E found in lobsters reduce the damages of cell. Lobsters are considered luxury food but they are also healthy to consume and a rich source of lean protein.

Moreover, 33 grams of protein is found in 150 grams of lobsters.

The health secrets of sea-foods are known to all. People need to prepare seafood dishes in right way and must add proper ingredients to the dishes. Seafood dishes can be eaten on special occasions and weekends.

Make your Guests Drool by Cooking Seafood Delights

Seafood is a favorite among most foodies round the world. Few seafood recipes are easy to cook yet tasty to eat. So, if you have invited a few people over for dinner or snacks, you can impress them by making lip smacking, healthy yet quick to make seafood dishes. For example you can cook them “Grilled Shrimp Cocktail with Yellow Gazpacho Salsa”. For this dish you will require:

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Finely chopped yellow bell pepper, 1

Finely chopped and seeded medium sized yellow tomatoes, 4 or 1 pound

Peeled, finely chopped and seeded medium sized cucumber, 1

Fresh chives, minced, 2 tablespoons

Finely chopped small red onion, ½

Finely chopped celery stalk, 1

White wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons

Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon

Lemon juice, 2 tablespoons

Freshly ground pepper, ½ a teaspoon

Few dashes of hot sauce

Salt, ¼ of a teaspoon

Raw, deveined and peeled shrimp, 1 pound

Fresh thyme, minced, 2 tablespoons

Minced garlic cloves, 2

To make the dish first, take a large bowl and combine bell pepper, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, chives, onion, hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, lemon juice and pepper. Cover it and chill for twenty minutes or a day. Then, take a medium sized bowl and combine garlic, shrimp and thyme. Cover this and refrigerate for around twenty minutes. Preheat the grill to medium high and grease the grill rack. Cook the shrimp till they turn pink and become firm. Then, serve the shrimp with the salsa in bowls or martini glasses.

If you want to make seafood dishes in a jiffy, you can always make a wonderful recipe called, “Spicy Asian-American Lobster Sandwich”. This dish will be perfect if you have invited your guests for snacks or tea. To make this dish you will need:

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2-3 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt (2-4%)

6 ounces of cooked, cooled and chopped, lobster knuckle or claw meat

2-3 tablespoons of Sriracha

2 ea chopped scallions

½ teaspoon of garlic powder

4 slices of toasted rye bread

2-3 leaves of Bibb lettuce

Freshly ground black pepper and salt, as required

To make the sandwich first take a mixing bowl and add sriracha, yogurt, scallions and garlic powder. After these are combined, add the lobster meat, season as per requirement and refrigerate for an hour or two. Before you want to serve, take out the lobster mixture and let it thaw for around thirty minutes. Meanwhile, toast the bread and spread the lobster mix between two slices and top with lettuce for the added crunch. Your guests are bound to love this dish.

Seafood dishes are really yummy and can be easily made at home, however, if you do not have time to cook, you can also order delicious frozen seafood dinners online and have them delivered to your doorstep.