Often people shy away from seafood when it comes to home cooking as it seems expensive, delicate, or difficult to prepare. This is not the case, however. Whereas seafood dishes may end up costing a little more in a restaurant, if you check out your local fish market or even opt for frozen you can find some great deals. Seafood is quick to cook and has a lot of flavor, so it can add excitement to any meal with minimal preparation. It’s also packed with protein, omega 3, and minerals. If you like seafood but hardly seem to get around to cooking it, here are seven simple ways to include more in your diet.
Opt for Frozen
Many people are put off by the shelf life of seafood, but this is why frozen seafood is great. You can find a wide variety in many supermarkets and you won’t have to worry about using it straightaway. There are several other benefits of frozen seafood. It maintains its flavor and nutritional value and will defrost quickly for more spontaneous cooking. It’s also a more sustainable choice. Fresh fish often has to be air freighted. Opt for locally-sourced frozen fish for minimal environmental impact.
Summer Grills
Seafood is ideal for the summer. You can simply throw it on the grill at your next family BBQ. It won’t need much preparation as the flames will seal in the flavor. For smaller items, you could use a grilling basket or wrap them in foil with a herb butter, for instance. If you really want to impress your guests, you could prepare seafood using a blackstone griddle. Check out this recipe for grilled scallops and shrimp, for instance. Grilling seafood is one of the easiest ways to cook it, and you can then serve it with a variety of simple sides.
Easy Salads
If you’re looking to switch up your diet and eat a little better, make your salads more interesting by adding seafood as a source of protein. Fresh prawns, squid, and baby octopus, for example, all go perfectly in a salad, and you can usually find these frozen. Seafood salads are quick and easy to prepare with a couple of store cupboard staples to make a homemade light dressing. It’s all you need to add extra flavor to your lighter lunches and dinners.
Seasonal Eating
The best way to buy seafood is from a local fish market and to look out for what’s in season. This way you can guarantee maximum freshness, sustainability, and the best price. Research local fish markets near you and find out which seafood is in season at the moment. You could even freeze it to eat at a later date.
Steamed Classics
You can’t go wrong with steamed classics. Things like mussels and clams are very quick and easy to prepare. You can make a delicious Belgian bistro-style meal in your kitchen using simply a large pot, wine, and herbs or seasoning. Try these simple steamed clams or mussels, for example. Steamed shellfish is pretty effortless to make. Once you’ve prepared a little sauce or stock from a few basic ingredients, you can throw in clams or mussels and they’ll be ready in minutes. Always remember to discard any that don’t open during cooking.
Get it Prepared
If you buy fresh fish or seafood at the market, always get it professionally prepared. Whereas it is simple to gut, scale, and clean fish and seafood at home, it can be a little time-consuming. It’s better to get a professional job. You can then experiment with quick recipes without having to prepare the fish in advance. If you’re opting for crab, lobster, or anything with a hard shell, ask someone in the market for advice. You may want to invest in an opening tool, but they’ll likely be able to prepare these for you so this isn’t necessary.
Plan Ahead
Plan your meals in advance, especially if you’re using fresh seafood. It should be eaten within a couple of days of buying it. If you’re cooking with fresh shellfish like mussels, it’s easier to eat them on the day. Use the best meal-planning apps to help you book in your next seafood sensation. Test out new recipes at home first, then you can impress your guests at your next dinner party. Whether you’re looking for a healthy, yet tasty addition to everyday meals, or something a little fancier, there are plenty of fun ways to include more seafood in your diet.
Leave a Reply