Seafood is one of the most popular cuisines in the world and includes a variety of fishes and shellfish. It can be prepared by baking, grilling or frying. Fish being high in Omega-3 fatty acids and protein, is highly recommended by nutritionists. The Mediterranean diet is based on a high intake of fish. Here is a list of five easy-to-make appetizers, with five different kinds of seafood viz. lobster appetizers, smoked salmon, barbecue shrimp, oyster fritters and stuffed snow crab.
Lobster Appetizer
Ingredients:
- Lobster meat, cooked and thinly sliced, 1 pound
- Anchovy, minced finely, 1
- Bread, toasted, 12 slices
- Butter, 1 ounce
- Red pimentos, cut in stripes, 1 ounce
- Caviar, 1 ounce
- Lemon wedges, 8 pieces
- Parsley, as needed
Method: Butter the toasted bread. Place the pimento strips, anchovies and the lobster meat alternately. Arrange it on a serving tray and garnish with caviar, lemon wedges and parsley.
Smoked Salmon Ingredients:
- Smoked salmon, thinly sliced, 4 ounces
- Reduced fat cream cheese, softened, 1-1/4 cup
- Ground red pepper, tsp
- Fresh dill, chopped, 1 tbsp
- Low-fat crackers, 24 pieces
Method: Combine cream cheese, red pepper and dill; blend well in a small bowl. Spread it evenly over each salmon slice. Roll up the slices and place them on a plate; cover with plastic wrap. Chill in a refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. Cut the rolls into 3/4-inch pieces, using a sharp knife. Place the rolls on low-fat crackers and serve cold.
Barbecue Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Basil Stuffing Basic Ingredients:
- Fresh, large shrimp in shells, 32
Ingredients for Basil Stuffing:
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, 2 tsp
- Basil leaves, coarsely chopped, 32
- Sliced bacon, cut in half, 16
- Garlic, minced, 2 cloves
- Barbecue sauce, 1 cup
Method: Remove shells from the shrimp, leaving the tails intact. Cut each shrimp, in a butterfly shape, along its back and remove the vein. Rinse and pat dry. For the stuffing, combine cheese, basil and garlic and place the stuffing in the tails. Wrap each shrimp with half-slice of bacon, tucking in ends. Leave the tail exposed. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and place the shrimp on a baking tray, with tails pointing up. Bake for 15 minutes and drain excess fat on paper towels. Dip the shrimp into the barbecue sauce and place on grill for 3 minutes, till sauce caramelizes. Serve hot.
Oyster Fritters Ingredients:
- Shucked oysters, chopped and liquor reserved, 1 quart
- Large egg, 1
- Baking powder, tsp
- Pepper, tsp
- Salt, tsp
- Pancake mix, 1 cup
- Vegetable oil, cup
Method: Combine egg, baking powder, pepper, salt and pancake mix in a bowl, until smooth. Add to it the chopped oysters and liquor. Heat oil in a deep-fry pan, drop spoonful batter, cook until golden brown. Serve hot with a sauce of your choice.
Snow Crab Stuffed Mushrooms Ingredients:
- Snow crab meat, pound
- Large mushrooms, 8 ounces
- Aioli, cup
- Fresh chives, 1 tbsp
- Unsalted butter, 1 tsp
- Fresh white bread crumbs, 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the crab meat, aioli, chives and half the bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems. Fill the crab mixture into the mushroom caps. Mix the remaining bread crumbs with the butter and sprinkle on top. Arrange in a baking dish. Bake until the mushrooms soften and begin to release juices. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Fish is an extremely perishable food, make sure you use fresh sea products, to get the best of it. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in.
