Experts often recommend eating shellfish the same day that it is purchased or delivered. However, for many reasons this is not always possible, including if you have purchased shellfish for a future event. Fortunately, shellfish can be kept fresh for varying periods of time. Typically, shellfish can be kept stored safely and enjoyed for at least several days or up to 2 weeks, depending on whether it’s a clam, oyster or mussel and how well it’s preserved.
If you’re planning to serve your oysters even a week or so after they’re purchased, make sure to store them properly to preserve their freshness and flavor. There are some simple answers to the question of how to keep oysters fresh before being eaten.
Firstly, only oysters that are still alive can be kept fresh. Dead oysters (i.e., those that have been opened, exposing the organs and liquor to air) cannot be preserved more than a few hours before they need to be eaten. Oysters that have not been shucked - which is the process where each half of the mollusk is separated - can be kept fresh for up to 2 weeks if they were recently harvested and are stored properly.
Learning how to keep oysters fresh is actually pretty simple and relies on two primary factors: keeping the oysters cold and limiting their exposure to air. Remember that the natural environment for an oyster allows them to “breathe” in their salt water habitats. Once oysters are removed from salt water they stop breathing and their shells will remain closed until they are shucked.
Here are a list of tips for exactly how to keep oysters fresh for enjoyment well after they are purchased:
For more tips and info on how to shuck, prepare and understand the different oyster varieties, read our full article here.
How to Keep Clams Fresh
While clams can be preserved for a short time, it’s unfortunately not nearly as long as oysters. In fact, clams might have the briefest preservation period of any shellfish and often need to be eaten within 48 hours. Follow the full list of recommendations below to answer any questions you have about how to keep clams fresh.
How to Keep Mussels Fresh
Mussels can be kept fresh for up to 5 days depending on how they were harvested and if they are shipped before consumption. However, we recommend eating them within 1-2 days after they arrive or are purchased. Here are some quick tips on how to keep mussels fresh if you’re planning a meal with these scrumptious shellfish in the near future.
How to Tell if Shellfish Has Gone Bad
There are a few indications to help you determine if shellfish have gone bad, including if the internal muscles and organs appear gray and smell rotted. Fresh shellfish often smells like the ocean; not putrid or sour. A strong ammonia smell is a reliable sign that the shellfish have spoiled. Because rotten shellfish can cause serious illnesses when consumed, a good rule of thumb is to dispose of any shellfish that has signs of decomposition or rot.
General best practices for keeping your shellfish fresh include:
Skip an hour or two ahead, and you’ve just gotten back from the store with a couple pounds of savory, fresh shrimp (with shell on). The kitchen has already been cleaned and cleared; all you need to do now is get to work. But where do you begin? How do you properly prepare the shrimp to cook?
Don’t worry, it isn’t hard. Below, we’ve laid out each step of preparing and making the perfect shrimp. From learning how to peel and devein shrimp to learning how to cook shrimp, Pure Food Fish Market has got you covered! And with a few practice runs, you’ll be a shrimp master in no time.
The first thing you’ll need to know when preparing to cook your meal is how to peel your shrimp, and how to devein your shrimp. The first step is how to peel your shrimp. First, you remove any heads or legs from the shrimp and then starting with the end of the shrimp where the head was, carefully lift and pull back the outer shell of the shrimp. You may opt to either keep or remove the tail in this step of peeling the shrimp. Then, using a small paring knife, slice a quarter inch deep incision into the back of the shrimp. At this point, you should see the vein in the shrimp, and with either your small paring knife or your fingers, you can remove the vein from the shrimp that runs along the back of the shrimp. In the situation that the vein is not readily apparent at this step, do not worry about the vein and simply proceed to cooking the shrimp. With those simple steps, you know how to peel and devein shrimp and can embark on your perfect shrimp date night dinner.
As mentioned in the prior paragraph, if you are unable to see the vein or remove it, it is perfectly fine to leave the vein in the shrimp. If you either do not know how to devein shrimp or simply wish to skip this step, there is no mandatory regulation regarding deveining shrimp. For small to medium sized shrimp, it is perfectly safe to consume the shrimp with the vein still in it. In most instances, people remove the vein simply for cosmetic purposes and there are no taste or health implications if you choose to leave the vein in the shrimp.
Now that you know how to peel and devein shrimp we can move on to how to cook shrimp. There are a variety of recipes and cooking methods that you can choose from including baking, boiling, and grilling fresh shrimp. Here are a few simple suggestions on the best practices for how to cook shrimp along with some tasty shrimp recipes that are sure to leave your mouth watering!
If you don’t have a lot of time to prep or you are just looking for a quick way to cook your shrimp that involves little preparation work, baking your shrimp is the option for you. After you peel and devein your shrimp, lay the shrimp on a simple baking sheet that is coated in a light layer of oil to prevent the shrimp from sticking to the sheet. Then simply toss the shrimp in some olive oil, maybe add some salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning, and arrange them on the baking sheet. Once the oven is preheated, we recommend 400°, place the shrimp in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Once the shrimp is a nice pink color remove the shrimp and serve.
Another great option for shrimp is boiling them. This method can be combined with a larger seafood boil or be done on its own. Simply boil eight cups of water. Then, toss in your peeled and deveined shrimp with your desider seasoning. We recommend using a seasoning mix such as old bay but you can also just sprinkle some salt and paper onto the shrimp. Once you add the shrimp to the boiling water, wait until the shrimp is a nice pink color before removing. This usually only takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Once the shrimp are pink, strain out the water and rinse the shrimp under cold water. This will stop them from boiling. Then your shrimp are ready to serve.
Finally, you can also choose to grill the shrimp. Once you peel and devein all your shrimp you can place them on a skewer to make them easier to rotate on the grill. After placing them on the skewer, season your shrimp with your seasoning of choice or simply salt, pepper, and olive oil. Place the shrimp skewers on the grill and rotate for 1 to 2 minutes depending on how hot your grill is. Wait until both sides of the shrimp are a nice pink color before removing them from the grill. Once thoroughly cooked, your shrimp are ready to serve.
Our website has a great selection of shrimp recipes for those who wish to try a new way to cook shrimp. Here are our top 10 recommended recipes to cook the most delicious shrimp possible:
It’s true that American consumers usually opt for land-animal proteins instead of seafood and plant sources. Nevertheless, fresh seafood sales have risen during the pandemic. You don’t have to dine out to savor your favorite foods. You needn’t feel intimidated about cooking it, either. If you can boil water, you can cook king crab legs. Of course, that only scratches the surface of tasty meal options.
All the same, seafood is spendy, but you can also say the same thing about a lot of foods and non-food items because of the ongoing supply chain issues. That makes choosing the best king crab legs essential for getting the most out of your purchase. We’ll cover all the bases on making an informed choice. We’ll even walk you through how to cook king crab legs to get the most delicious results.
The most popular kinds of crab are blue crab, Dungeness crab, snow crab, and the appropriately named red king crab. They are seasonal, with the most available from October through January. That’s also when they are the tastiest. However, other species have different seasons, with Maryland blue crab at its peak April through November.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the NOAA Fisheries oversee the red king crab harvest. They regulate the take based on the season, sex, and size of the animals. Therefore, you’ll only find males of a specific size. They can get huge, with some reaching up to 24 pounds with a 5-foot leg span! Suffice to say that those are too big for the pot.
King crab size comparison is sized like other seafood as counts per weight, such as shrimp. For example, you may see shrimp sold at 16–20 ct, meaning that number range per pound of seafood. The categories for crab go from 20–24 to 6–9, with the latter being the largest of the crab legs.
Depending on the harvest and local regulations, you may not find the complete gamut of sizes. We suggest letting your cooking pot, baking sheet, or grill determine what to get. You can base the king crab size comparison on how much you can cook at a time with your preferred method.
King crab is delicious, no matter what you get. Many people consider the claws the prized part because of their sweet, succulent meat. They’re also harder to crack yet worth the effort. Some find that the knuckle meat has a more robust flavor. However, much depends on the harvest, packaging, and handling. Crab is either cooked on the boats at harvest or when it reaches the shore.
Many grocery stores don’t offer the option to get just crab legs, although some may have snow or stone crab claws available. You’ll likely find that you have more choices when you buy online from a company that specializes in seafood, such as Pure Food Fish Market.
As we’ve discussed, this seafood is sold pre-cooked. The most important consideration for choosing the best king crab legs is how it is kept and shipped. They should stay on ice and not in water. Overnight shipping is a must to keep them as fresh as possible. Fortunately, that’s often not a problem, given the time of year that many people indulge in king crab and Pure Food Fish Market’s shipping policies.
You should plan on getting about 1 pound of legs per person. You can scale it back to 0.5 pounds if you’re planning a seafood feast or surf-n-turf meal. Just make sure to put the crab in the fridge until you’re ready to cook it to give them time to thaw out if frozen.
We mentioned boiling water as a way to cook king crab legs. Some will tell you that it’s the only option. Remember that the meat is sweet yet delicate. Some methods may overpower the flavor, making some preps a more suitable choice to highlight the taste of the crab. We’ll discuss some of the most popular ones and let you decide.
The question of boiling or steaming is sometimes a hotly contested one. Both are easy and yield similar results. The former allows you to season the water for a welcome flavor boost a la’ the crab boil. However, plain jane is also fine. This method works well if your king crab legs are still frozen yet malleable. They’ll be ready to eat in about 5 minutes.
The steaming time will vary, depending on whether the best king crab legs are thawed or not. If they are, 5 minutes will get the job done. If not, then plan to double the time to 8–10 minutes to heat them thoroughly.
This method is an excellent choice if you’re planning on serving several types of seafood. You can have everything done at once with the proper timing. It’s also a tasty way to cook king crab legs to add additional flavorings if you half them to expose the meat. You prepare a melted butter mixture using some tasty ingredients, such as:
You can roast crab legs at 450℉ for about 5 minutes or until heated through until warm. Other seafood you can add include scallops, shrimp, or lobster tails. Make sure to have plenty of drawn butter on hand for the ultimate seafood dinner. This accompaniment is simply clarified butter by a different name.
Broiling works well for the best king crab legs, too. You can either half them or leave them whole. The flavoring options are on the table if you opt for the former method. They’ll take about 3–4 minutes if you’ve halved them. If you’re using whole legs, plan on the same amount of time for each side. These same times work with grilling, too. We recommend basting halved crab legs.
You can stick with classic drawn butter or opt for a yummy accompaniment, such as a lemon-basil aioli or a Diablo sauce to kick it up a notch. The best thing about either of these preparations is that you’ll have minimal cleanup so that you can concentrate on the most important thing—eating the best king crab legs!
As we’ve shown, you don’t need to be a gourmet chef to cook king crab legs. It starts with getting your seafood from a reputable source, such as Pure Food Fish Market. Whether you prefer crab legs or claws, you can get overnight delivery for the ultimate seafood dinner. Nothing says it better than the best king crab legs.
]]>Fortunately, there are some seafood tools and equipment that make it all a little easier. So, let’s take a closer look at what you need in your seafood utensils set.
A Shrimp DeveinerWhile you’re building your seafood utensils set, make sure you include a shrimp deveiner. This little tool makes one of the yuckiest tasks of prepping seafood quick, easy, and mostly mess free!
Yes, you can do this with a knife or even a toothpick, but a good shrimp deveiner does the job faster and more thoroughly. There are even shrimp deveiners that have built in shears or scissors, so you can cut through the shell while you work.
A Fish Knife (or two)Your collection of seafood tools and equipment should actually include a few knives specifically for preparing fish. A strong, rigid knife to descale fish is a must, as is a flexible blade for filleting and cleaning fish. Make sure they are sharp and buy the best quality you can afford.
If you want to keep your fish knives (and all the rest of your knives) in the best possible condition, invest in a proper knife sharpening tool. Using a blunt knife to prepare fish and seafood can not only damage the food’s delicate flesh but could also lead to more cuts and injuries while you’re cutting.
A Fish Cutting BoardYou should always cut different food on different boards. The best cutting board for fish is one that won’t slide over counters and has some grip on the surface to hold the fish while you work. Buy the best cutting board for fish you can afford, and make sure it’s easy to clean – no one wants a fishy smelling board in their home!
Even if you can’t get the best cutting board for fish, you can use coarse salt on a high-quality board of your choice to create a surface that grips the fish while you work.
A Fish SkilletYes, there are skillets that are made just for fish! Add one of these to your fish kitchen accessories collection for perfectly crisp fish skin. They’re also designed to release fish easily, so you won’t ever have to deal with fish that’s stuck to the pan! They do this with a clever dimpled surface, that’s unique to this kind of pan. You can use a regular skillet for fish, but you might still struggle with this problem, so it’s worth upgrading if you cook fish often.
Choose a skillet that is large enough to cook enough fish for your family or guests without crowding the pan. Look for a heavy base, which is less likely to warp and will distribute heat more evenly.
A Crab MalletCrabs and other crustaceans are delicious, but notoriously difficult to prepare. Add a crab mallet to your seafood tools and equipment collection for easier preparation of all kinds of shellfish.
Crab mallets are designed to break the shell of crabs, lobsters, and other such delicacies without smashing the shell into the meat. So, you will spend less time picking parts of their shell out of your meal when you’re ready to serve.
Seafood ForksIf you’re still struggling to pick the meat out of crab or lobster shells with a kitchen fork, you need to invest in a set of seafood forks!
These are must haves for any seafood tools and equipment! They’re double sided, with a sharp, pronged, hooked “fork” on one side, and a spoon like device on the other end. Depending on where the meat is lodged in your seafood, they’re able to get right into the crevices and make sure you get it all out.
An Oyster KnifeWhether you love them raw or Rockefeller, there’s nothing quite like an oyster. But to really get the best, freshest oyster flavor, you really need to prepare them yourself. If you’ve ever tired to shuck an oyster with an ordinary knife, you already know why this is on the list of essentials for your seafood utensils set!
Oyster knifes are short, thick, and strong, to get between the two sides of the shell and give you enough leverage to twist it open. The very best oyster knives also have a tiny “hook” on the blade, so you can twist the knife into the tiniest opening with ease.
Claw CrackersIf you love lobster, then you’ve probably wrestled with a claw or two in your time! Let’s just say there’s reason lobster restaurants always give you claw crackers along with the bib!
You can have the same experience at home though, by adding claw crackers to your seafood utensil set. These tools look like oversized nutcrackers, but they’re made to make short work of even the toughest claws. The best models out there have different size claws, so can handle small claws, large claws, and everything in between!
Fish Turners or SlicesYour usual spatula is not designed to turn fish. Which is why, when you try, you probably make a mess of those delicious fillets!
A proper fish turner or fish slice is made for fish. It’s long, flexible, and usually has some slots in it. You can slide it under the fish easily, and it will hold most or all of the fillet for easy, careful turning. If you don’t already own one, add it to your fish kitchen accessories shopping list!
A Seafood SteamerSteaming is one of the best ways to prepare all kinds of seafood. It’s quick, easy, and healthy since you’re not adding too much fat. Even better, it keeps the seafood moist and tender, so it’s definitely one of the most important pieces of seafood tools and equipment you will ever own.
A Cedar PlankIf you’ve never had cedar planked salmon, you’ve never truly lived. That might be a slight exaggeration, but trust us, it’s worth the small investment. Makes sure when you’re adding this to your seafood utensils set that you get one that’s actually for cooking! You can’t simply use any piece of cedar wood to prepare food!
A Kitchen TimerThis is not, strictly speaking, specifically a fish kitchen accessory. But it is one that will improve your seafood and fish cooking! Most seafood is very delicate, and overcooking is the worst thing you can do. So, get a good kitchen timing, and be sure to set it according to your recipe when you cook fish or seafood. It will transform the results!
Goodies and Gadgets Make All the DifferenceWhile many Americans think of lobster bisque as a classic New England dish, it actually originates in France. Much loved by people all over the world, lobster bisque is a creamy, lobster-rich meal that imparts a deep flavor reminiscent of days gone by.
Knowing how to make lobster bisque from shells will allow you to add a rich depth of flavor and authentic touch. Many home cooks also enjoy using all parts of the lobster to create layers of flavor from the stock through to the final dish. If you’re looking to up your cooking game with knowledge, unique tips, and the best lobster bisque recipe, then keep reading!
Lobster bisque is a simple seafood dish that can be prepared in about an hour. Lobster bisque didn’t always have the “posh” reputation that it enjoys today. In fact, it was invented from a common, everyday dish known as “pottage.” Starting in the 17th century, lobster lovers began to transform bisque into a more recognizable version of its modern incarnation by adding new ingredients and honing the cooking techniques.
At heart, lobster bisque is similar to many stew recipes that were often made by coastal communities and fishermen who needed to get the most out of every ingredient, and sometimes stretch meals for weeks at a time.
The traditional definition of a bisque is a creamy soup made from shellfish and thickened with rice, flour, or components from the shellfish. In fact, the French origins of the word bisque are thought to be derived from a combination of the words “bis,” meaning “again,” and “cuites,” meaning cooked. After all, the slow cooking and blending of flavors is the essence of most traditional soups and stews.
Using leftover lobster shells to make bisque is a traditional method of cooking that has been preserved for generations. Additionally, it’s one of the best lobster shell uses, which is important for ensuring none of the lobster is wasted. The primary reason that leftover lobster shells are used when making bisque is to enhance the flavor of the dish. Lobster shells, especially when ground or crushed, can provide a much stronger lobster flavor.
Recipes for lobster bisque vary widely, but they all rely on the same basic ingredients and methods. We believe the secret to the best lobster bisque recipe is found in sticking to the tried and true flavors and time tested techniques. Below is our recommendation on how to make lobster bisque from shells.
Lobsters have more uses than just making lobster bisque from leftover shells. For those of you who value using each part of a creature that has been killed, we’ve curated a few suggestions for using lobster shells to help improve the health of soil and animals.
Lobster shells are high in calcium, nitrogen, and magnesium. Their high levels of nutrition and slow decomposition rate made them great for composting. Lobster shells can also be used as a grit substitute for animals like chickens, which rely on calcium-rich substitutes as a key part of their diet.
Pure Food Fish Market has been providing fresh, high-quality seafood to customers for generations. You can order jumbo lobster tails directly from our website. At 1.5 to 2 pounds each, these succulent lobster tails are ready to cook and enjoy with friends and family!
]]>That’s why we’ve assembled a selection of the best lobster recipes on planet earth for you. From famous lobster dishes to lobster dinner ideas, you will find a mouth-watering meal for your next lobster feast.
Now before you go thinking that lobster is too complicated and time-consuming to prepare, trust us, it’s really not.
So let’s dive into our collection of the best lobster recipes and lobster dinner ideas for you to treat your tastebuds to this year and beyond.
Doesn’t the name of this lobster dish just get your taste buds tingling?
This tasty dish only takes 20 minutes to prepare and serve for up to three guests.
That’s right, just 20 minutes.
All you need for this famous lobster dish is some lobster, butter, flour, white wine, milk, gruyere plus salt and pepper.
Simply toss the lobster in garlic salt, melt the butter in a large saucepan, then add lobster to hot butter and cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly white but not fully cooked through.
Remove lobster from butter and toss crushed garlic. Leave remaining butter in the saucepan for the delicious sauce.
The bechamel sauce takes no time at all to prepare. You then spoon the sauce over your lobster, add breadcrumbs and then cook for another 4-5 minutes. Then voila… one of the best lobster dishes is ready to be devoured.
You can find the full recipe and ingredients HERE.
Now the name says summer but who says you can’t enjoy this delicious lobster dish all year round?
Imagine mixing succulent lobster with sweet mango, add some avocado, fresh cucumber, and a splash of lime. Sounds absolutely delectable and it's super easy to make.
This lobster dinner idea only takes 25 minutes to create and serves four very lucky dinner guests.
Get the full recipe and all the info you need HERE.
Things become classics for a reason because they are memorable for always being good.
The classic lobster salad is one of the best lobster dishes ever created in human history.
It’s simple, easy to cook, yet delicious.
Steam or boil your lobster then place it over lettuce, add some tomatoes, cucumber, or avocado, the world is your oyster lobster.
Check out the entire recipe HERE.
How do you make an old American favorite even better? Well, you add some lobster to it of course.
This dish is easy, tasty, and will fill up the hungriest family member or friend. You can add as much lobster to your “mac and cheese” as you desire. That’s what makes this lobster dinner idea so damn good!
If you feel daring, why not add some other seafood to your delicious new concoction.
Get the full recipe HERE.
How does a creamy lobster risotto sound? Yum? We thought so.
This recipe serves up to six people and is a straightforward dish to create. Heat chicken stock, add rice, a little wine, mascarpone, and cook until it's nice and creamy. Garnish with sorrel and lemon zest.
You can find the full recipe and ingredients HERE.
This lobster dish is for the most novice of chefs. No previous lobster grilling experience is needed.
Defrost your frozen lobster tails before you begin cooking. You can use butter or olive oil, whichever you prefer.
Simply marinate the lobster tails with lemon juice, dill, and salt. Place them on your grill and wait for them to cook right through. Serve them with a dipping sauce on the side.
Discover all the tips and tricks for this recipe HERE.
Lobster is great on its own but it can be even better when paired with other seafood.
This recipe can be used as appetizers for your next dinner soiree or as entrees.
Start by making a lemon aioli then boil the shrimp and lobster meat separately. Once cooked, dice both the lobster and shrimp then create the patties by adding eggs, panko, salt, black pepper, and lemon aioli.
Shape the mixture into patties then heat over a hot flame for a few minutes.
You can find the full recipe and ingredients HERE.
Stew doesn’t need to be boring or just include tough meat. Experience a lobster stew that will keep you nice and warm and content during the colder nights.
All you need is some lobster, butter, cream, black pepper, and some crusty bread to soak up the leftovers on your plate.
Check out the full delicious lobster recipe HERE.
It’s time to get exotic with your favorite seafood. This is one of the best lobster recipes you’ve probably never heard of.
If you like salty, spicy, and different, then this lobster dish is for you. Lobster Cantonese is a delightful shock for your taste buds.
It can be served over white rice, cooked with pork, spices and its savory sauce is the perfect combination for an amazing meal.
Get the full recipe and ingredients HERE.
Take everyone’s favorite food, pizza, and add the seafood delicacy and you've got one of the best lobster recipes ever made.
Some believe that pineapple should not be on pizza but lobster is A-OK. This pizza creation can be made with fresh or leftover lobster meat or tails.
Like any pizza, you can add whatever topics you desire but this recipe will offer you some great ideas.
Discover the mouth-watering recipe HERE.
Pure Food Fish Market is located in the famous Pike Place Market but you don’t have to live in Seattle to experience our delicious seafood.
Buy fresh seafood online from our legendary team of seafood suppliers. We only sell the best and we’re here to help you enjoy the finest fish, crab, lobster, and more.
]]>Introduction
No meal better captures the savory flavors of summer than a scrumptious barbecue lobster tail. The rich, buttery lobster meat is a perfect compliment to sweet or spicy BBQ sauces and cold beer or a tangy side of creamy coleslaw. Despite its popularity, many seafood lovers find the lingo, tools, and techniques required to prepare lobster more than a little bit intimidating. In reality, learning how to BBQ a lobster tail is straightforward and doesn’t require you to obtain a culinary degree before breaking out your favorite apron and firing up the grill. In fact, lobster can be made within 30-minutes and ready to enjoy.
At Pure Food Fish Market we’ve been helping people discover the joy of cooking quality seafood for over a century. In this post we’ll help you understand exactly how to BBQ a lobster tail with step-by-step instructions, from preparation to cooking and serving a delicious delicious dish that will be reminisced on for years to come.
Preparing a Lobster Tail
There are several commonly used methods of preparing lobster for cooking. However, because BBQ lobster is almost always grilled (unless you’re making BBQ lobster tails in foil), we recommend the classic, tried-and-true butterfly technique. The butterfly method of preparation is fairly simple and it’s the best way to ensure that the tail meat cooks quickly, thoroughly, and evenly. Additionally, the butterfly method allows you to easily apply a generous coat of your favorite sauce or marinade.
To butterfly a lobster tail just follow the directions below:
How to BBQ a Lobster Tail
Once your lobster tail is neatly butterflied and ready to BBQ, it’s time to prepare your oven, grill, or campfire for cooking. There are several ways to cook BBQ lobster tail, but in this section we’ll review instructions for cooking on a grill, as this is the most popular way to make BBQ lobster tail.
Brush the exposed tail meat with your favorite marinade or sauce, then place your lobster tail flesh side down on the cooking surface. Let the lobster tail cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until lightly charred. Then, flip the lobster tails shell side down and let them sit for another 5 minutes, allowing the tail to cook through completely.
One of the best parts about lobster is how quickly the perfect dish can come together. On average, lobster only needs to be cooked for about 10 minutes.
Essential Tools and Tips for BBQing Lobster
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are a few bonus tips to make your BBQ lobster tails even better:
Conclusion
We take pride in offering the highest quality seafood to our customers. Our super jumbo colossal lobster tails are a mouthwatering meal that serve up to 4 people per tail! The best part? You can order them online from the comfort of your home without standing in line at the store. Rest assured knowing that you can rely on top-notch service from Pure Food Fish Market. Outstanding customer service has been our goal for 4 generations.
The cool thing about fish is that almost every part of the fish is usable – the tail, the head, the belly, etc. You’ll just need to know how to properly prepare and cook each part of the fish. One good tactic is continually working towards creating a diversified portfolio of fish recipes and seafood-centered meals. The more practice you have with different cuts of fish, the better you’ll be at extracting the flavors and enhancing the quality.
Below, we have listed and described six different cuts of fish – whether that be different cuts of salmon, tuna, etc. – so that you’ll be more knowledgeable on which parts of a fish you’d prefer to cook/buy the next time you’re out.
Although not really a cut, whole fish is still a very popular method to cook a fish. And while most chefs and experienced at-home cooks may prefer whole fish, it may not be the best choice for those with less experience – as it is more messy, intricate, and typically difficult to prepare. But it also adds a level of versatility that other cuts of fish don’t really have, such as being able to stuff or season it to create unique, out-of-this-world flavors.
Whole fish can be purchased as “gutted”/”dressed”, meaning that the viscera is removed but the head is still intact. It can also be pan-dressed – where the head is still intact but the fish has been gutted, scaled, and finned. This option prepares the fish to be cooked whole.
As the most popular cut of fish, fillets are cut from the sides of the fish - made by cutting the meat away from the bone alongside its length. In addition to being boneless, fillet fish cuts are also quicker to cook than other thicker cuts. Fillet cuts of fish can either be prepared as skin-on or skin-off, and can be cut further into pieces called “portions” or “pieces.” Fillets are versatile, fun to cook, and easy to find in the grocery store!
Similar to the fillet fish cut, butterfly fillets are easy to cook and fun to eat. Usually used for small freshwater fish, butterfly fillets are made up of two fillets that are connected at the middle by skin/backbone. So, when spread out, it takes the shape of a butterfly. This type of cut is best suitable for pan-frying or baking.
A loin is a thick cut of meat taken lengthwise of a large fish, such as tuna or swordfish. Thick and flavorful, this cut of fish is typically boneless and skinless.
A fish steak is a cross section cut of a large fish, made perpendicular to the spine. Typically cut from larger fish such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, fish steaks are left with the vertebrae, bones, and skin intact. Although it can be cooked a variety of ways, fish steaks are perfect for grilling.
Normally cut and sold separately, the backend of the fish, closest to the tail, is cut and served/sold bone-in. Although this is a much less common cut of fish, the tail is still very flavorful, particularly if well-seasoned.
At Pure Food Fish Market, we offer the freshest selection of fish and seafood – and yes, different cuts of fish galore! If you’re looking for salmon in particular, well we’ve got you covered. Our selection of different cuts of salmon include Northwest King Salmon Fillets, Northwest King Salmon Steaks, Northwest King Salmon Tails, as well as their Alaskan King Salmon counterparts. Not to mention Whole Northwest King Salmon and Whole Alaskan King Salmon as well! Shop with us today to order fresh seafood with overnight delivery!
]]>The risks associated with poor cardiovascular health have prompted more people to explore new dietary options. In fact, nearly 45 million Americans use diet plans each year to help with weight loss and fitness goals. Current dietary and wellness trends have popularized meat alternatives and gotten many more people interested to discover foods that are good for cardiovascular health.
This article will highlight some of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders and present simple ways to improve cardiovascular health. We’ll also discuss the science behind why fish should be added to any dietary plan for a healthy heart, and some popular ways that fish can be prepared and enjoyed.
Complications due to poor heart health affect over 30% of all Americans. While some of the most common cardiovascular issues are caused by preexisting conditions, many heart problems are the result of dietary and other related lifestyle choices. These heart conditions often have multiple contributing factors, not one single cause.
Deteriorated cardiovascular health can also affect much more than just the heart, depending on the severity of the condition. These resulting negative effects, called comorbidities, often exacerbate the symptoms of the primary condition. Not addressing these related conditions can quickly reduce an individual’s quality of life and mental health.
Although their respective causes vary, the following list includes some of the most common cardiovascular issues:
Common lifestyle and dietary factors contributing to these conditions include the following:
These lifestyle habits negatively impact heart health by causing arteries to narrow or become clogged (atherosclerosis), significantly increasing blood pressure, spiking blood sugar levels, and more.
Fortunately for those wondering how to improve cardiovascular health, simple changes to diet and exercise can help slow, and in some cases reverse, the effects of poor heart health. One study from the Preventative Medicine Research Institute showed that significant lifestyle changes improved “blood flow to the heart and its ability to pump normally improve in less than a month, and the frequency of chest pains fell by 90% in that time.” This is great news for those wanting to improve their cardiovascular health.
There are numerous ways to improve cardiovascular health, but any successful method relies on a proper balance of diet, exercise and other simple lifestyle habits. The top recommended ways to improve cardiovascular health include:
While it might seem overwhelming to attempt a complete dietary change, small changes can make a big impact and foods that support heart health can be found in most major grocery stores. The widespread availability of these foods makes them easy to add to a regular grocery shopping routine. The top foods that are good for cardiovascular health include:
There are also foods that should be avoided due to their high content of unhealthy fats, processed sugar, harmful cholesterol and more. These foods are often unhealthy due to how they are prepared or their reliance on artificial flavors and additives for preservation.
Foods to avoid:
Following dietary recommendations to improve cardiovascular health has huge benefits beyond just the positive impacts to your heart. Eating healthy foods can help with all of the following wellness priorities:
Fish offers a wide variety of health benefits in addition to its delicious flavor. Understanding the science behind why eating fish supports heart health and knowing which breeds of fish to eat are key to making sustainable dietary changes. What are some of the top ways that eating fish helps improve cardiovascular health?
Fish (especially fatty breeds like salmon) provides Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure and supporting healthy heart functions.
Other fish breeds that are rich in Omega-3 include:
Many protein sources (e.g. beef) can cause inflammation or contain high levels of saturated fat, which clogs arteries over time. Fish is a low cholesterol, low fat protein option.
Fish also provides numerous critical vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium, among many others.
While fish is highly recommended for improving cardiovascular health, it’s critical to ensure that your fish does not contain high levels of mercury or other harmful contaminants. In poor quality fish, these contaminants can be present in high enough levels to offset their health benefits. Avoid low-grade fish by purchasing from a high quality local provider that offers wild caught or responsibly farmed seafood.
Changing your diet does not mean sacrificing delicious flavor and mouthwatering recipes. Not only can fish be cooked in numerous ways, it also pairs very well with other heart-healthy foods like olive oil, avocados, citrus and garlic. Even better, fish can be used in recipes from cultures around the globe.
Some of the most popular fish dishes include fish tacos, oven-roasted salmon, and herb-crusted halibut.
A few tips if you’re new to eating fish:
For more insight on how to select and prepare fish that you’ll love, check out the Pure Food Fish Market blog here.
Get started with heart-healthy eating by visiting Pure Food Fish Market to order your favorite selection of seafood with overnight delivery. We offer the freshest selection of Alaskan King Salmon, Northwest King Salmon, Copper River Salmon, Wild Halibut, and more.
]]>If you’ve ever dreaded the idea of removing fish bones but dread the idea of getting pricked in the throat even more, rest your fears, pin bone tweezers are here. Most fish fillets such as True Cod Fillets, Catfish Fillets, or King Salmon Fillets, from your local seafood retailer like Pure Food Fish Market are boneless. However, if you purchase a whole fillet or whole fish, such as our Whole Copper River King Salmon, you will need to remove the pin bones prior to cooking. Removing the pin bones can be a tedious pain staking process but you’ll thank yourself later.
Grab a pair of fish bone tweezers also known as pin bone tweezers which are specifically made for grabbing tiny fish bones without completely butchering your seafood. Next you’ll need to locate the bones, this is where we’ll give you a pro tip. Grab a small bowl, place it upside down, and drape your cut of fish over it. This will make the bones of the fish protrude out, making it easier to spot with your eyes. It's also helpful to feel along the length of the fish with your fingertips near the thickest part, as pin bones tend to be here most. Once you’ve located a bone grab the tip of the bone with your fish bone tweezers and gently pull the bone away from the fish. Repeat this process until the fish is bone free and ready for cooking. Now you can confidently cook seafood for yourself or party guests without fear of them frantically reaching for a glass of water.
Have ever wondered how to shuck an oyster? Oysters are an incredible seafood that are prepared in a wide variety of ways and enjoyed by people around the world. A versatile food, oysters can be eaten as an appetizer or full meal, and pair well with a range of seasonings, side dishes and beverages. Although small, oysters have immense health benefits and contain an impressive amount of key vitamins and minerals. Whether they are prepared raw, grilled, or baked, knowing how to properly shuck an oyster is essential for their proper preparation and consumption. This article will thoroughly explain how to properly shuck an oyster, including the required tools, techniques and tips for success.
An essential part of learning how to properly shuck an oyster involves understanding its basic anatomy. Knowing how to properly preserve and enjoy each piece of the oyster will help prevent waste and ensure that the entire mollusk is used.
Oysters are a bivalve mollusk, which means their outer shell has two separate halves connected by a hinge and small muscle called the adductor. The top half of the shell is larger than the bottom and has a wider, fluted structure. The oyster’s primary organs and muscles are contained within the lower portion of the shell. Once you know how to shuck an oyster with an oyster knife you will be able to apply several different methods of separating the two shell halves in a safe and effective manner.
Oyster liquor is the natural liquid contained in the oyster’s shell. It helps keep the oyster alive, and also preserves freshness after the oyster has been shucked but not yet eaten. This liquor is edible and adds a briney flavor to the oyster when it’s all eaten together.
Once the top shell is removed, the oyster’s flesh will be exposed for easy removal and eating. The interior parts of an oyster are difficult to distinguish visually, but they include the gills, stomach, heart, mantle and other internal organs. Don’t worry about separating any of the parts of the oyster flesh as it’s all edible. All you need to know is how to shuck an oyster and pair it with your favorite sauces, dishes or drinks!
Even if you know how to shuck an oyster, you may not be aware of the significant variations in flavor, appearance, size and texture between different types of oysters. Some of the most common varieties of oysters, including ones you can find usually at your local seafood market, include:
Below is a step-by-step guide that will help you learn how to shuck an oyster and hone this skill with confidence.
Learning how to properly shuck an oyster also involves knowing what not to do when opening these delicious delicacies. Here is a list containing some of the most common mistakes people make if they don’t know how to properly shuck an oyster:
If you are learning how to properly shuck an oyster it is important to select the right tool for the job. Learning how to shuck an oyster with an oyster knife will make the whole experience easier and safer. An oyster knife has several important features that make it a superior device. An inexpensive tool, the oyster knife blade is just the right length to effectively and safely separate oyster shells. The blade on an oyster knife is thin enough to easily slide between the shell halves. Lastly, a proper oyster knife will feature a fairly blunt blade and a wider handle (or guards at the top of the handle) to prevent the blade from sliding past the shell.
If you know how to shuck an oyster with an oyster knife but you don’t have one handy, a few alternative tools that might suffice include a flathead screwdriver or a common table knife. A sharp knife blade is not required to properly shuck an oyster.
And one (or several) of the reasons why it’ll be worth it is because of all of the benefits of eating fish! The health benefits of eating fish range, from improving the health of your heart to giving you clearer skin. Fish has a lot of properties that can help 1.) increase the longevity of your life, and 2.) increase the quality of your life. Below, we have outlined 7 different health benefits of eating fish. Check it out!
Fish contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, essential fats your body can’t make on its own. Omega-3s have been linked to a numerous amount of cardiovascular health benefits, including lowering your blood pressure and triglyceride levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, as well as minimizing the risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Although omega-3s are found in many different types of fish, fatty fish tend to have larger amounts.
As another big health benefit of eating fish, this seafood has been linked to boosting brain health. It’s expected that as you age, you may experience mild mental decline. However, omega-3s have been connected to actually slow this rate of decline, as well as produce more gray matter in your brain, something which is important for both memory and emotion. Similarly related, it’s shown that eating fish regularly may also decrease your risk of depression as well as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Omega-3s are also great sources of nutrients that are important for development during infancy and early childhood, particularly in assisting the development of the brain and vision. However, for women looking to consume fish during pregnancy, it’s best to monitor your consumption of fish as well as to make sure that you choose fish low in mercury – as fish high in mercury has been linked to developmental issues during early human development.
Having trouble sleeping? Well, this one's for you. Another benefit of eating fish is better sleep. Research has shown that nutrients in fish, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, may be linked to promoting a healthier sleep cycle. These nutrients and vitamins help produce serotonin, which can help with falling asleep. For those who are bogged down by insomnia, you should consider including fish as part of your weekly diet.
Fish can also help build your immune system – another great benefit of eating fish. Omega-3s have been linked to reducing inflammation and can help build your body’s overall protection. Pair that with exercise and some good sleep, and you’ve got yourself a pretty healthy lifestyle.
I bet you didn’t think fish could help you look good. Well, look again. As previously mentioned in the benefit above, the acids found in fish are good for reducing inflammation –even the inflammation in your skin. Omega-3s are great in fighting acne and providing a clearer complexion and healthier skin. But that’s not all. Omega-3s have also been shown to help you grow healthier hair, by strengthening the strands and promoting growth – which can help hair loss. Another amazing health benefit of eating fish!
Again, fish is nothing short of healthy. The benefits of eating fish at times seem endless. And although we’ve mainly mentioned omega-3 fatty acids, there are still tons of other vitamins and nutrients that can be found in fish. Vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin A, and vitamin B. As for minerals, fish is rich in calcium, selenium, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
On top of all of the benefits of eating fish, there is another quality that’s also super great – its taste! There are so many different types of fish that have their own unique flavors, practically giving you endless recipe possibilities. Next time you’re in the kitchen, try making salmon with indi chocolate rub. The flavor profile is out of this world.
This salmon is also as fresh as it gets. Unlike farmed fish, salmon caught from the Copper River are handled with care and met with utmost respect. These fishermen understand that to truly appreciate the fish, there needs to be an added sense of thoughtfulness. And ultimately, this thoughtfulness translates well to the end product, giving the fish a better test and a better quality.
So, where does Copper River salmon come from? Simply put, Copper River Salmon comes from, well, the Copper River. The Copper River is a large river in Alaska found not too far from Anchorage. Stretching over 300 miles, the Copper River flows into the Gulf of Alaska and hosts a variety of fish, notably the highly sought after Copper River Salmon, sporting its beautiful deep red color. There are three different types of Copper River Salmon found in these cold clear icy waters, including the Copper River Sockeye, the Copper River Coho, and the daddy of them all the Copper River King.
Typically, these fish will spawn in the Copper River and will then migrate to the Gulf where they will spend the next few years of their life. Once they reach maturity, they’ll swim back upstream to the Copper River and finish out the remainder of their life there.
Sounds good, but when is Copper River Salmon available? Although it’s usually available throughout the year, Copper River Salmon is the freshest (and tastes the best) during the dedicated season, which usually starts in the middle of May and ends in September. Treat yourself and sign up early to make sure that you are able to enjoy this popular dish. You’ll want to make sure to grab some as early as possible during these months!
As for the season itself, this is monitored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Usually, they’ll report prospective numbers for the season as well as other pertinent information. Some years are more impressive than others, however, recently there have been instances of poor showings, particularly last year. As for pricing for these fish, this also fluctuates based on the season and its performance.
Nothing is more fun than nutrition, so how about some Copper River Salmon nutrition facts? For one, these salmon contain a lot of vitamins, including B-12, and are very rich in protein. The most important (or widely-known) Copper River Salmon nutritional fact, though, is that these fish are very fatty – but the good kind of fat. These fish contain and provide a bunch of omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your heart, brain, and overall health.
Now that you know about it, the next step is learning how to cook Copper River Salmon. And the thing is, there are so many ways to cook Copper River Salmon. You can grill it, sear it, bake it, and all of the above. It’s also very pairable with a lot of sides and wines, especially wines that pack a fruity punch. As for specific recipes, we’ve included links to some of our favorite salmon recipes below, which you can use to cook your Copper River Salmon.
Here at Pure Food Fish Market, we offer the freshest selection of Copper River Salmon. If salmon doesn’t float your boat, we’ve got tons of other types of seafood, too, including some of our Northwest favorites, fresh Jumbo Shrimp, Dungeness and Alaskan King Crab, Fresh Alaskan Halibut, Fresh Oysters, and more. Shop with us today to order fresh seafood with overnight delivery!
]]>In its simplest form, pan-seared salmon is a lightly seasoned salmon fillet, seared in a non-stick skillet over medium heat in oil. This recipe usually takes about 4 minutes to get a beautiful golden crust on your salmon and can be served alongside a number of different side dishes. While this recipe is the safest option if you’re a novice home chef at Pure Food Fish Market, we know you want something a little more exciting than your everyday pan-seared salmon. Which is why we are going to show you 3 quick and easy sauces you can prepare to take your pan-seared salmon to the next level.
Lemon butter garlic sauce is the go-to favorite for many seafood dishes but especially pairs well with pan-seared salmon. The great thing about this recipe is that it’s extremely easy to make, only adds about 3 minutes to your total cooking time and is made of 4 basic ingredients; chopped garlic, chopped parsley, butter, and lemon juice. This recipe follows the same steps as making traditional pan-seared salmon. However, the key to nailing this recipe is squeezing lemon juice on to your salmon fillets as it sears in the skillet. Just as the fillets reach golden crispiness on each side, add in your butter, garlic, parsley, and another squeeze of lemon juice. From here you want to baste your salmon, covering each fillet in the pan sauce until the butter begins to brown slightly, and there you have it a beautiful pan-seared salmon in lemon butter garlic sauce.
As you may have already noticed, garlic is salmon's best friend and this sauce recipe is no different. Garlic soy pan-seared salmon is another quick and easy pan sauce that will add incredible flavor to your salmon with little to no hassle. This pan sauce only calls for 4 ingredients as well, chopped garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice to create a beautiful sweet and savory flavor profile. In this recipe, you’ll want to prep your sauce by mixing the chopped garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar in a small bowl and setting aside. Next, lightly season your salmon fillet with salt and pepper, and instead of using regular vegetable oil, use sesame oil to sear your salmon. Once you have seared your salmon remove the fillets to another plate and while your skillet is still over medium heat pour in your sauce mixture and stir for 2-3 minutes until it thickens. Now the only thing left to do is plate your salmon and drizzle the wonderful sauce over your fillets.
Last, but just as tasty we have another fantastic pan sauce to serve over your pan-seared salmon. Honey garlic glaze is another reduction sauce that combines the sweetness of honey, the savoriness of soy sauce, the tang of lemon juice, and the spiciness of red chili flakes to get an unbelievably tasty salmon glaze. Similar to the recipe above you’ll want to prep your sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl before searing your salmon fillets. Next, add salt and pepper to your salmon fillets and sear until golden on each side. Then pour your sauce mixture of honey, garlic, soy sauce, lemon juice, and chili flakes into the pan and baste the salmon with the sauce for 1-2 minutes covering each fillet with as much as you desire.
Visit Pure Food Fish Market to order your favorite selection of seafood. We offer the freshest selection of Alaskan King Salmon, Northwest King Salmon, Copper River Salmon, Fresh Halibut, and not to mention – more recipe ideas! Visit our website today, to order fresh seafood with overnight delivery.
]]>It’s only been a few weeks since the start of the 2021, and already, I’m having trouble sticking to my New Year’s resolutions. However, there is one resolution I’ve been working on pretty diligently, and that’s eating healthier – at a time of uncertainty and increased health risks, it’s always best to continually take the necessary precautions to better your overall wellness. And out of all of the different healthy food options out there, nothing quite matches the taste, and benefits of seafood. Seafood packs a ton of nutrients, primarily omega-3’s, which are great in building your overall health – particularly your heart health. Some of the different ways omega-3’s have been found to possibly benefit your heart include lowering your blood pressure, decreasing your body’s triglyceride levels, and lessening your risk of heart attacks and strokes. And again, not only is seafood heart healthy, it’s yummy, too!
You’re probably thinking, “Wait, but is there fish that’s healthier than others?” To somewhat answer that question, yes, kind of. When considering heart healthy seafood, you’re going to want to pick the fattier fish, for these are the most rich in omega-3’s. Some of the most popular fatty fish options include salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, and cod, although there are many others that’ll work as well.
Now here comes the hard part: figuring out which heart healthy seafood recipe to make. While there are many options to choose from, such as spicy tuna and avocado fish tacos, salmon cakes, and lemon garlic cod, we’ve compiled 5 of our own favorite heart healthy seafood recipes that we guarantee will leave you wanting more!
By now, you’ve probably heard about omega-3 fatty acids, either at home, the office, your local grocery store, or even at school. You’ve probably heard it mentioned when talking about health and wellness, such as the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as when discussing which dietary supplements to take. At the core, though, what exactly are omega-3 fatty acids, and can they really have a positive impact on your health?
Well, omega-3 fatty acids are a unique type of polyunsaturated fat and can have numerous health benefits.. There are only three kinds of omega-3s, all of which can be found naturally – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Although they are all omega-3s, they aren’t all found in the same foods. EPA and DHA are found in oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, and tuna, while ALA is found in plant oils. As mentioned previously, omega-3s are also available as dietary supplements, however, supplements aren’t as conclusive as seafood and plant oils in providing health benefits. Because of this, it’s better to include seafood over supplements when creating an omega-3 diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids, like other nutrients, carry a variety of health benefits. Some omega-3 health benefits are speculated to include fighting depression and anxiety, encouraging brain health, and even improving eye health. However, the most prominent and well-known health benefit of omega-3 fatty acids is the improvement of cardiovascular health, or heart health. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids may benefit heart health in several different ways, including but not limited to: reducing the amount of triglycerides in your body, lowering your blood pressure, reducing the risk of blood clots, decreasing the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks, and even lessening the risk of irregular heart beats.
Creating a healthy omega-3 diet should be pretty easy, and fun! Again, the best foods to get omega-3s are fish and plant oils (plant-based). Plant-based sources can include walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and leafy green vegetables. As for fish, they all technically contain omega-3’s, but the key here is to look for fatty fish. Fatty fish contain the most omega-3 fatty acids and are found to be the most useful to heart health. So, how much fish should I eat? Well, the American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fish, preferably fatty fish, each week. And if for some reason that’s too much fish for you, don’t forget about the plant-based sources of omega-3s mentioned earlier – these are great to mix into your meals and snacks as well. It just so happens that the best foods to get omega-3s are also some of the tastiest!
If you’re still trying to figure out which omega-3 rich seafood to cook and prepare, look no further. Listed below are some of the best options when choosing fish high in omega-3s.
Remember, you don’t have to only limit yourself to the omega-3 rich seafood listed above. Although less in quantity, omega-3s are found in many types of fish, not just fatty fish.
As you may or may not already know, the leading cause of death in the U.S. is heart disease - for both men and women. According to the CDC, approximately 655,000 Americans die each year due to heart disease. You may have also already searched online on “how to reduce heart disease.” Well, there are several risk factors for this disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and even an unhealthy diet. And although some risk factors are harder to control than others, eating healthier can be both easy and fun, especially when enjoying the best fish for heart health! So, in regards to seafood, how does it reduce the risk of heart disease? Good question, we’re glad you asked.
Heart-healthy fish is your friend. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week in about 4 oz amounts. Fish high in unsaturated fats are rich with omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the chances of heart disease and heart attack. These omega-3 fatty acids may slightly lower blood pressure, decrease triglycerides, and reduce the chance of stroke or irregular heart beats, all of which is great in reducing the risk of heart disease.
The strategy here is to find fatty fish. Although most seafood contain some source of omega-3 fatty acids, fish high in unsaturated fats contain the most. With over 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per serving, the best fish for heart health are:
As previously mentioned, there are still more seafood which contain omega-3’s, so don’t feel underwhelmed with your options. Feel free to venture out to other fish every once in a while, such as tuna or halibut. Remember, eating seafood is just one way you can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Well now that you’re cooking up a storm of seafood, you’re going to need some food for your sides. Again, what we’re looking for are foods that reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps you want salmon with a side of freshly cut tomatoes? Great, tomatoes provide a large amount of lycopene which can help lower the risk of heart disease. Perhaps you want to pair a nice rainbow trout with spinach and walnut salad. Awesome, spinach offers loads of vitamins and antioxidant-like carotenoids, while walnuts are high in plant based omega-3’s. If you’re still trying to find foods that reduce the risk of heart disease, some are listed below:
You’ve prepared your meal and had your fish. So what now? Again, in regards to how to reduce the risk of heart disease, there are many things you can do. For one, make sure to control your portions. It’s very easy to overeat and reach for seconds, but by balancing the amount of food on your plate, you are able to live a healthier eating lifestyle. Two, sodium isn’t your friend, regardless of how good it may taste. If you’re wanting to figure how to reduce the risk of heart disease, you should know that finding ways to eliminate the risk of high blood pressure is one of them. Additionally, although unrelated to food, exercise is a great preventative measure. Moderate amounts of exercise is great for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as maintaining a healthy weight level.
The first method is using the color and texture of the salmon to determine if it’s cooked thoroughly. Cooked salmon will change color from a raw deep reddish color to a lite pinkish color on the outside. Salmon will also become slightly more firm during the cooking process compared to its soft mushy texture in raw form. The flakiness of your salmon is also a good indicator of doneness. If the top of your salmon easily flakes apart then it's done, if your salmon is not flaky and still has a reddish hue, it is still raw and needs more time cooking.
Checking the temperature of your salmon with a thermometer is the easiest and most precise way to tell if your salmon is cooked to your liking. Take any food-grade thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of your salmon. So, at what temp is salmon done? According to the FDA the recommended internal temperature for salmon is 145˚F which is slightly on the firm and well-done side. However, for those who like their salmon medium to medium should aim for an internal temperature of 125˚F to 140˚F.
This method is also a very common method especially when you don’t have a food thermometer at your disposal. The only thing you need for this method is a butter knife or sharp knife, which you will insert into the thickest part of the salmon for 3 seconds and immediately remove and press to your lower lip. If the temperature of the knife is warm to touch the salmon is done, if the knife is cold or lukewarm your salmon needs more cooking. It is important to remember with this method not to fully slice your salmon fillet or it will begin falling apart.
After weeks of quarantine, many states have lifted their orders and begun to allow businesses and residents to return to some state of normalcy while still practicing social distancing caution. This is great news for local businesses and the economy overall but the big question is what do I do with all my canned seafood now? Some of you may be feeling like your natural response to hoard goods has left you with a stock of canned seafood that you'll probably never eat.
If you're feeling this way, boy do we have good news for you! Say goodbye to the days of bland and boring tuna salad, or seafood salad, and say hello to creative, and crafty canned seafood recipes that will knock your socks and give you a new appreciation for what you once considered a pantry emergency staple. Follow Pure Food Fish Market as we cover 5 creative tuna salad recipes.
We all know about the classic tuna salad sandwich as it may have been a staple meal in our lunch box as a kid or a quick and easy mid-day snack as an adult. Traditionally tuna salad is made of tuna, mayo, celery, mustard, and relish and is served between two slices of bread but you can elevate this old-time recipe by adding a dash of lemon juice, diced granny smith apples, Boston lettuce, and a toasted bread roll instead of bread slices.
We've all had a tasty chicken or steak taco before at our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant that just absolutely lit our taste buds up. But good tacos aren’t only limited to authentic Tex-Mex restaurants you can also make an exceptional taco with the ingredients you have in your pantry already. The next time you have a taste for tacos grab that can of smoked salmon in your pantry along with diced avocados, tomatoes, onions, and your choice of hard or soft or hard shell tacos for a fun and tasty weeknight meal.
Tuna melts are a classic recipe with a gourmet twist. Grab a nice helping of classic tuna salad and spread over your choice of bread, toast, muffin, or croissant, and top with cheese and diced tomatoes. Place your tuna spread on a baking sheet in an oven preheated at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes and voila there you have it a beautiful gourmet tuna melt.
This recipe may sound fancy and difficult but it's a quick and easy meal with ingredients you probably already have in your fridge and pantry. Boil a cup of noodles with a dash of salt, and sauté fresh veggies. Fry up some bacon, and toss in 4 egg yolks and 2 whole eggs and add in your canned crab meat and garnish with parsley and there you have easy no hassle crab carbonara.
Stuffed bell peppers are a favorite in many households and make for an easy, simple, and healthy weeknight family night meal. Next time your craving stuffed bell peppers swap out the ground beef in place of canned tuna for a new flavor profile on a classic dish.
If you want to take on these new creative canned seafood recipes, check the variety of canned seafood from Pure Food Fish Market and order today for overnight delivery just in time for your next family meal.
]]>Not being able to visit friends or family, and watching how Covid-19 has impacted so many families, can take a toll on anybody. Many of us have turned to learning a new skill, reading books, taking online courses, or starting a side business as a way to keep your mind sharp and to stay busy during quarantine.
The skills you decide to learn and the knowledge you pick up are just as important as the food you decide to eat during quarantine. Many of use have become 5-star chefs overnight out of necessity, as home-cooked meals have been the standard and dining out and take-out has become a luxury. If you haven’t cooked yourself a delicious seafood meal yet, we’re about to give you every reason why you should. Not only is seafood a healthy meal option when your daily activities are limited but seafood is also known to be essential brain food that can improve your mental health and wellness.
Maintaining your mental health during Covid-19 is essential and your diet can play a major role in keeping you mentally fit. A seafood-rich diet has been known to improve your overall health due to its nutritional benefits such as low fat, high protein, and natural vitamin content. However, a seafood-rich diet has also been credited with reducing stress, anxiety, depression.
Research has shown that a regular diet of seafood, rich in omega 3 fish fatty acids can reduce depression in young adults by 20%. The omega 3 fatty acid in fish has also been shown to reduce migraine headaches which are often symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Seafood is without a doubt one of the most beneficial things you can add to your diet especially given the current circumstance. The natural supplements and vitamins found in seafood are like vitamins for your brain and the protein to fat ratio will fuel your caloric needs.
If you're looking for fresh seafood online check out the amazing selection of fresh seafood from Pure Food Fish Market and get local fresh seafood delivered straight to your doorstep within 24 hours.
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3. Grosso G, et al. Dietary n-3 PUFA, fish consumption and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Affect Disord, 2016;205:269-281.
4. Li F, Liu X, Zhang D. Fish consumption and risk of depression: A meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Comm Health, 2016;70(3):299-304.
5. Sanchez-Villegas A, Henriquez P, et al. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids intake, fish consumption and mental disorders in the SUN cohort study. Eur J Nutr, 2007;46(6):337-346.
6. Freeman MP, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids: Evidence basis for treatment and future research in psychiatry. J Clin Psychiatry, 2006;67:1954-1967.
Whether you’ve just ordered fresh seafood from Pure Food Fish Market to store for later, or just finished a tasty dinner and you want to preserve the uncooked fish you have a few options to choose from. Fresh fish should be cooked within two to three days of purchasing, if you don’t plan on cooking your fish you should freeze it immediately to preserve the freshness. The three most effective methods for freezing fresh seafood are Ice Glazing, Vacuum Sealing, and Freezing in a Ziploc bag with water.
When freezing fish the most important thing to remember is that air is not your best friend. Exposure to cold air can dry the fish out and ruin the taste and texture of the fish. All three of these methods work to prevent air contact and to lock in moisture.
Ice Glazing
Ice glazing is a method in which you glaze the fish with ice first by dipping the fish into lightly salted ice water and placing it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in your freezer. Let the water on the fish freeze then repeat this process a couple of times until the fish has ¼ thick glaze of ice. At this point, you can place the ice glazed fish into an airtight Ziploc bag or you can vacuum seal and place it into your freezer. By using this method you can preserve your fish up to 6 months in the freezer.
Vacuum Sealing
If you don't have time to ice glaze your fish before freezing, vacuum sealing your fish also does the trick. Before vacuum sealing your fish pre-freeze your fish for 1-2 hours to preserve the moisture in the fish. It's also very common to pre-season or marinate your fish before vacuum sealing as this method really locks in the flavor. If you decide not to season your fish, that's okay. You can place your fish into a vacuum bag and seal your fish, once sealed place into your freezer. Vacuum sealed fish when properly stored in the freezer can last as long as two years.
Ziploc Freezing with Water
Lastly, if you don’t have time to ice glaze your fish and you don’t have a vacuum sealer, you can use the freezing in a Ziploc bag with water method. This method is exactly what it sounds like and is a quick and easy method to preserve your fish. The water in this method takes the place of the vacuum seal and the ice glaze and acts as a barrier to protect the fish from drying out and or getting freezer burn. For this method, you will need an appropriately sized Ziploc bag preferably not too big and not too small. Next, you will fill the Ziploc bag with lightly salted water, not completely but just enough to fully submerge the fish. Once this is done squeeze the remaining air out of the bag, seal your bag, and place it in the freezer. Using this method you can preserve your fish up to 3 months in the freezer
When thawing or defrosting frozen fish the most important thing to remember is to gradually thaw your fish. You can gradually thaw your frozen fish by letting the fish rest in the refrigerator. The downside to this method is that it takes time and you have to remind yourself to do this well in advance before you plan to cook the fish. Depending on the thickness of your fish, our rule of thumb is to plan one day ahead and to allow your fish 24 hours to fully defrost in the fridge.
If you forgot to take your fish out of the freezer, and you want to eat it sooner than later, while not the most ideal method you can use a quick thawing method to beat the clock. If you need a quick thawing method that doesn’t require wasting water by running the frozen fish under water until it thaws follow these steps. Using the Ziploc bag your fish was frozen in place your fish in a large bowl with semi-cold to room temperature water and submerge the fish for 1 to ⅕ hours. After an hour has passed check your fish if it’s still frozen repeat this method for another 30 mins to an hour. Once fully thawed your fish is ready to be cooked.
]]>From the top of the salmon organization chart, there are two main categories: Atlantic salmon and Pacific salmon. All Atlantic salmon sold are farmed fish—there are no fisheries for wild Atlantic salmon—and, for the most part, are not sustainable or good for the wild salmon industry.
All the wild salmon and the different salmon types that you’ll want to get to know are types of Pacific salmon. They vary in where they can be caught and when, as well as in size, the color of the flesh, and how fatty the meat is—which is important to consider when looking at cooking time in recipes: a thick, fatty fillet of king will cook very differently than a lean, thin keta.
King (also called Chinook) salmon are the biggest, richest, and fattiest of the different types of salmon, and they bring that boldness to the table, making them a treat for salmon lovers and somewhat easier to cook than leaner versions.
The most flavorful of the different types of salmon are Sockeye or red—named for the stunning color of the flesh. For many people, the combination of the richness of Sockeye and the fish’s firm texture makes it a favorite, but everybody loves how good it looks on the plate.
Coho, or silver, is a bit milder in flavor than the larger types of salmon, which helps it to work as an excellent entry point for people newer or more hesitant about adding salmon to their diet. It also means they are very welcoming to the addition of smoke (from grilling) or a more complex sauce than king or Sockeye are.
Keta gets a bad rap among the different kinds of salmon—especially because it’s alternate names, chum and dog, don’t seem very flattering. But “dog” refers to a canine-like “tooth” on the male during spawning, and this fish can actually be quite good. Leaner than other salmon, keta cooks quickly, which makes it a good option for fast weeknight dinners.
The smallest and least common of the different kinds of salmon are pink or “humpy.” They are actually the most abundant type, but because they are small and mild, the meat doesn’t end up for sale as fillets too often—but when it does, the light and delicate flavor makes it a worthwhile purchase.
]]>The good news is that our seafood goes well with a huge variety of vegetables and starches, so it’s hard to go wrong. But if you really want your dinner to shine like a statuette, there are a few things you can do. The same things that make for a good supporting performance by an actor help make the best fish side dishes: they complement the main and help to make it even more delicious, but also deliver big on flavor on their own.
As you plan a menu, you’ll want to look for specific seafood side dishes that pair well with your chosen entrée. Opposites attract: if the dish is crisp and bright, the best seafood side dishes will be soft and creamy. If the main is bold and flavorful, look for a seafood side dish that is a little plainer to help it shine.
For buttery, fatty fish like black cod or king salmon, you’ll want a seafood side dish that's crisp and acidic. Bitter greens like radicchio or frisée work well, but any crunchy vegetable dressed in a citrus or vinegar dressing works beautifully—or even mixed with a hearty grain like farro. For leaner fish like halibut, the best fish side dishes will be richer—creamed spinach or pea puree looks great and tastes even better.
Seafood side dishes for shellfish depend more on cooking method than the fish itself. For chilled crab, shrimp, oysters, look for soft lettuces like butter or little gem and for herbaceous sauces, like asparagus in salsa verde. For steamed mussels, clams, or shrimp, you’ll want starchy seafood side dishes that absorb the delicious liquid they give off—bruschetta, rice, pureed cauliflower, or roasted root vegetables all work well.
If you’re still not sure what to make, have a look at the perennial winner of this award ceremony: potatoes. When it comes to the best fish side dishes, any form of potato—mashed, fried, roasted, or sautéed—never lets the audience down.
]]>1. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
6. Contains the Antioxidant Astaxanthin
7. May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
9. Can Help Fight Inflammation
Eating lots of fish and shellfish makes for a delicious way to live—and to live longer. The health benefits of seafood make it an easy, great-tasting way to change your diet to something that’s way better for your body. Move the meat out of the way, change up the chips, and learn just how superior seafood health benefits are from other proteins on the plate.
By adding more nutrient-rich foods like cod, tuna, clams, salmon, crab, and more to your diet, you can lessen your cholesterol intake, eat fewer calories, strengthen your muscles, and help prevent or mitigate some chronic diseases. Get to know the many seafood health benefits, from your head to your heart with a few of our favorite seafood health facts.
Seafood health benefits start with the overall calories: seafood is mostly high in protein, but low in calories. That means one of the biggest health benefits of seafood is that you can get plenty of protein without cramming on calories. Lean fish like cod have less than 100 calories per three-ounce portion, and even fattier fish like salmon is only about 200. To get the most health benefits of seafood, you’ll want to then poach or bake it, so you don’t have to add more fat in the form of butter or oil.
Even the fish that we consider fatty, like king salmon is less than 15 percent fat, and what fat most fish do have is the best kind: polyunsaturated. The fats in shellfish and fish, like Omega-3 fatty acids, are important for developing babies’ brains and vision, and for older children and adults help to reduce risk of heart disease. And for people worried about their cholesterol, one of the most important health benefits of seafood is that almost all types have under 100mg per three-ounce serving.
But seafood health benefits don’t just give you less of the bad stuff, it also gives you more of the good. Eating lots of fish and shellfish will fill you up with lots of vitamin A for healthy vision and skin, vitamin D for bone development, and B-complex vitamins that are associated with the nervous system. On top of that, you’ll get good minerals in varying amounts from different types of fish, like zinc, iron, and potassium—which is super important for strengthening muscles. It’s hard to believe so much great stuff can be packed into such a tasty food!
]]>When you’re looking at how to cook sous vide fish, make sure you pay attention to which type the recipe calls for: salmon’s big flavor and ample fat make it the perfect place to start—you’ll need little more than a splash of oil, salt, and pepper for a basic recipe. Leaner fish like halibut will want more fat added—look for sous vide recipes with a compound butter or plenty of flavored oil.
Those same butter-heavy recipes will work well if you have shrimp or lobster that you want to learn how to cook sous vide. It uses the same principles as the butter-poaching you’ve probably seen on menus, but without any risk of overcooking your shellfish.
The next most important thing in learning how to cook sous vide is getting the temperature and timing right. For a nice fillet of salmon, you’ll want between 122°F and 125°F (it takes about 40 minutes). The bright-red flesh of a sockeye might surprise you when it comes out—people often mistake it for being undercooked because of how tender and bright it is. But in fact, that’s just the amazing results of cooking sous vide seafood. For halibut, look for about 132°F and expect it to take twenty minutes to cook. Shrimp are closer to 160°F, but they only take about ten minutes.
The main detractor from cooking sous vide seafood is that for fish, scallops, and other seafood that benefits from having a crisp skin or crust, you will have to give it a second cooking—when your seafood comes out of the sous vide, you’ll want to pat it dry and put it into a screaming-hot pan slicked with oil for just a few seconds to get that browning and wonderful texture.
]]>A lot of people are intimidated or confused by learning about how to buy seafood, but the most important thing to know is that it’s okay to ask questions! Think of the fishmonger behind the counter or on the phone as your own personal seafood buying guide and don’t be shy: they can help you figure out what kind of fish you want, how to cook it, when you’ll want to use it buy, and tell you how to store it.
But even before you look for this information, there are a few things that you can have in mind to ask your fishmonger about to make sure you end up with the best possible seafood.
Fresh vs. Frozen vs. Live
The terminology around fresh seafood can be extremely confusing—and even change depending on the type of seafood you’re talking about. A few different types of freshness you’ll want to know about and how to tell if the seafood is good:
The freshest clams, mussels, oysters, and other types of shellfish are sold alive—for most bivalves, as well as crab you want to buy them only live or cooked (which includes tinned, smoked, or steamed). Bivalves should be tightly closed or close when touched, and crab or lobster should be lively and reactive.
For fish, you’ll often see both fresh fish that’s never been frozen and “fresh-frozen” which means that it was deep-chilled immediately after catching to keep it in the best possible shape. Without fresh-frozen fish, seafood would be far more limited in seasonality and regionality, so don’t be afraid of the word frozen when you are buying fresh seafood. Both of these types of freshness result in extremely high-quality fish—look for smooth, flush meat tight to the skin and bones, without gaping.
Sustainability
One of the hardest parts of putting together a seafood buying guide is talking about sustainability: it varies constantly and is often specific to each type of seafood, where it comes from, and how it was caught. Major guides like the Marine Stewardship Council or Monterrey Bay Aquarium are good places to start, but good fishmongers will often have more up-to-date or specific knowledge. If sustainability is a priority in your fish shopping, be sure to ask questions as you purchase.
Perishability
The difference between how long you’ll want to keep live mussels (no more than a few days) and live oysters (more than a week) is huge. A head-on salmon won’t last as long as just the body. If you’re buying fresh seafood for a specific meal—or meals—be sure to consider how long before you’ll be cooking the seafood and take that into account when you purchase it.
]]>There are a million holiday party potluck ideas, but organizing yours around seafood makes a good way to ensure a memorable party—seafood naturally brings a ton of bright colors, tends to be less filling than meat dishes, and the theme means it won’t be the same old stuff as last year. Left to their own devices, people rarely think to bring seafood. Seafood potluck ideas are key to encouraging your guests to branch out and embrace a new, unique experience. Seafood adapts easily to gluten-free or halal diets, and is light and healthful—no food coma naps needed after this party!
But before you dive in too deep, we’ve got a few thoughts on how to translate your holiday party potluck ideas into the festive meal you’re dreaming of. The main key to a great seafood potluck is having a ton of variety in both type of seafood and course, so as you plan, consider having guests sign up for their dish ahead of time. If you’re hosting, you’ll want to take on any dish that requires last-minute touches, like a crispy-skin salmon as the main dish or a memorable bourbon shrimp flambé, if you like a real show. As a guest, you’ll want to think about holiday party potluck ideas slightly differently: there are tons of seafood dishes that transport extremely well, from the classic shrimp cocktail to a Dungeness crab dip. For a casual seafood potluck, rockfish tacos or salmon sliders work well, and if the event is a little more upscale, a tuna Niçoise salad or lobster shepherds pie will make an impact. Just don’t forget to assign someone in the group to the dessert table—and let them forgo the seafood!
With these seafood potluck ideas and holiday potluck main dish ideas in mind, your celebration is bound to be a resounding success. So, let the seafood feast begin, and watch as your guests indulge in the ocean's bounty, creating unforgettable memories and savoring the taste of the season.
]]>Because seafood often cooks quickly, adding holiday seafood recipes to your menu planning can free up oven space or give you a little more time to spend with your family. Popular seafood dishes for Christmas dinners include centerpiece-worthy Alaskan king crab legs, big fillets of halibut that can anchor a meal, and rich salmon sides. You can kick off your dinner menu with holiday seafood recipes for smaller items like jumbo scallops or halibut cheeks, which both make for luxurious starts to big meals. Gorgeous, gem-colored tuna livens up any kind of salad, whether as carpaccio under a pile of arugula or sesame-crusted and sliced on top. Large pots of multi-fish stews like a cioppino or moqueca make a great pescatarian supplement to a meaty meal, and folks who mark the occasion with a brunch can add a bit of elegance to a spread with platters of chilled shrimp, smoked fish and shellfish, and freshly shucked oysters.
If you’re looking for holiday seafood recipes that will look as good on the table as a entire roast or bird, go for whole fish: you can roast an entire branzino or bring the bright orange of a salmon to the table. For a spot of elegance, try popular seafood dishes that work as individually plated dishes, like Dungeness crab halves or lobster tails, both of which give you a bold pop of red on the plate (add a little parsley garnish, and it’s perfect for Christmas!). Cooking fish en papillote (in paper) makes for tender fish and gives everyone their own package to unwrap on the plate. For a less elaborate feast, look to incorporate a little shellfish into a classic menu by adding popular seafood dishes like clam chowder to the table or weaving spot prawns into your pasta course. No matter your crowd or your cooking ability, holiday seafood fits in almost anywhere on the holiday table.
]]>Seafood is an affordable luxury, just the kind of thing that someone might love to have but not allow themselves to purchase, making it the perfect gift. Depending on travel plans or gift-giving location, the best seafood holiday gifts might be fresh, frozen, or shelf-stable. Ready-to-eat selections make great seafood gifts for the kitchen-phobic, but pristine cuts of fish will thrill your favorite cook—pair it with a cookbook or nice pan to really take it up a notch. Don’t forget, anytime you give a specific type of seafood, it’s always a good idea to tuck in any tools the recipient might want as part of your seafood gifts—oyster knife, crab cracker, or cedar plank for grilling.
Shelf-stable smoked salmon makes the perfect seafood holiday gifts for co-workers or people you might know less well, because it makes no assumptions about their cooking abilities or how well-equipped their kitchen might be. It means that no matter their travel plans, fridge-space conundrums, or seasonal schedule, they’ll be able to enjoy the seafood gifts at their own leisure.
For close friends and family, whose food preferences you likely know, picking out seafood gifts is a bit easier—you can buy according to their tastes, whether that means getting them a giant slab of salmon, a mountain of fresh crab, or a sampling of smoked seafoods. For someone who might not have eaten or cooked much seafood before, a gift pack with a few different kinds of fish or shellfish gives them the not only the gift of great eats, but of the opportunity to find a new favorite food.
If you’re planning to buy fresh or frozen seafood gifts that will be shipped to someone, don’t forget to check with them that they’re not going to be traveling when it will arrive. Alternatively, you can always just get them a gift card to make sure that they can order their seafood holiday gifts to arrive right when they’re ready to cook and eat it.
]]>For those planning a festive gathering, consider including a seafood party element with a diverse menu. An Italian-style Feast of Seven Fishes—a seafood-heavy Christmas Eve meal—provides a good excuse to see just how many different holiday seafood dishes you can lavish on your guests. The origins of the idea are murky, but it makes sense: lots of seafood is at its best in the holiday season, the silvers and reds of many fish and shellfish match the décor, and it doesn’t take much work to make it feel fancy.
Whether you want to keep it classic with shrimp cocktail and a smoked salmon platter for the Christmas feast or you want to change it all the way up with a crab extravaganza to crack open the new year, here’s an ocean’s worth of holiday seafood menu ideas for you. As you plan your holiday feast, consider turning it into a memorable seafood party by introducing a diverse and delectable seafood party menu that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Get Started
A chilled seafood appetizer to greet guests takes the pressure off the host, as it can be prepared ahead of time and jut pulled it out when folks arrive. Arranging smoked salmon on a platter takes almost no effort, but you can add a little something extra to the tray by also including smoked mussels and scallops. For a more elaborate holiday seafood dishes, set out freshly shucked oysters with lemon slices and a little mignonette or prepare salmon rillettes with toast points.
Sides that go Swimmingly
One of the best ways to work a little bit of seafood into a big meal, especially if you have traditionalists who don’t want you messing with the main, is to incorporate it into your side dishes. A classic oyster stuffing adds a touch of fanciness to an often-ordinary dish, and a little smoked salmon crumbled onto a salad takes it from everyday to holiday. If you’re looking to impress, try the “wow” factor of a regal king crab quiche or go high with a salmon souffle.
Saltwater Centerpiece
Moving into the mains, look for the kinds of seafood holiday dishes that can really serve as an eye-catching centerpiece: a big pile of bright red Dungeness crab served with drawn butter for dipping, a whole side of silky slow-roasted citrus salmon, fresh whole trout, or for individually plated dinners, a lobster tail for each person.
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