Mistakes To Avoid When Planning A Seafood Dinner

Whether you’re planning a dinner party or just trying to make something a little different or special for your family or friends, a fresh seafood dinner (beyond the usual frozen fish fare) can create a really delicious and unique meal. However, a lot of people are a bit hesitant or unsure of themselves when it comes to cooking seafood. But with these tips, you should be able to make a wonderful seafood feast with ease.

Don’t Overcomplicate With Too Many Varieties

Aside from the various ways to ensure your seafood is safely prepared, there are a few steps you should take to prepare the tastiest meal. For starters, don’t try to showcase too wide a variety of seafoods at once. The textures and flavor profiles of even similar seafoods, like shrimp and prawns, are different enough that they each deserve to stand on their own. Plus, trying to manage too many types of seafood in one meal can increase the risk of overcooking or under-seasoning it.

Don’t Go Too Heavy On Sauces Or Spices

Some accompaniments can bring out the unique flavors of your seafood. Butter sauces and lobster, for instance, tend to enhance the richness of the meat. However, bold flavors can end up overpowering the natural taste of the seafood if you’re not careful. Heavy cream sauces and super-hot spices can eliminate the subtleties of your ingredients. To really bring out the natural flavor of your seafood, instead use citrus like lemon, herbs like parsley or dill, or oil-based dressings.

Source It As Fresh As Possible

Freshness is the most important factor when it comes to choosing your seafood ingredients. Frozen seafood is convenient, but it will have less flavor and texture. If you don’t have a trusted local fishmonger you can get your seafood from, you could try a seafood delivery service to get next-day delivery of a fresh catch like Maine Lobster Now. As delicate as seafood is, it can start deteriorating within hours if not handled properly, so make sure your suppliers bring you the freshest seafood possible.

Store It Safely

Once you get the seafood in your hands, you need to take steps to ensure that it stays fresh. Don’t leave your seafood in a warm spot, even if it’s wrapped in airtight plastic. Keeping it on melting ice is also a no-no. The best way to keep it fresh is to remove it from any packaging, place it in a bowl over fresh crushed ice, and loosely cover it with parchment or foil and put it in the fridge. Shellfish, such as clams or mussels, should be kept damp, but not submerged.

Be Precise With Times and Temperatures

Seafood can be delicate, so you need to prepare it correctly. If you have a recipe that lists specific temperatures and times, stick to them as best as possible. Seafood can become rubbery and lose flavor if it’s cooked too long. Another common mistake is not prepping your ingredients ahead of time, causing delays that can negatively impact your meal.

It’s not difficult to safely prepare your seafood; you just need to be vigilant. How to properly prepare your seafood will depend on the recipe you’re following, but the tips above are worth following for practically any recipe.

Try These Seafood Recipes

Green Salad with Salmon, Avocado and Tomato

Smoky Ginger and Orange Salmon Salad

Bloody Mary Cocktail with Shrimp