Marla Cimini on August 3, 2016 0 Comments Seafood in the summertime is always a winning combination, as the flavors of fresh fish are truly enhanced when prepared with seasonal ingredients. Whether you prefer to grill outside on the barbecue, or stay indoors and cook your dishes on the stovetop, these delectable seafood recipes are easy, fast and filled with the fresh, zesty flavors of summer. Perfect for a casual summer meal, or pleasing foodie friends, you find that all of these seafood recipes are simple, yet designed to impress — and you don’t need to be a top chef to prepare them! Requiring limited ingredients and a short amount of preparation time, these recipes are ideal when you need a meal in a flash — ensuring that your summer is relaxing as well as delicious. All you need is a glass of wine to pair, and a few of your close friends or family. Every seafood recipe listed below will serve four. 1. Spicy, Hot (and Sweet) Grilled Salmon Most salmon fans agree that the grill brings out the best of this hearty, robust fish. Although salmon is frequently enjoyed without any seasonings at all, adding some surprising sweet and zesty spices are always a delightful treat, and an easy way to bring in the tastes of summer. Preparation: Marinate four salmon filet pieces (cut into 6 ounce portions) in pineapple juice. You can substitute pineapple for your favorite citrus juice, lemon and lime also taste great. Place in a bowl or zip lock bag and keep inside the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Afterwards, dry the pieces with a paper towel and add a dash of these combined spices: cinnamon, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, cumin and black pepper. (A teaspoon of each, should be suffice.) Place on top of a sheet of tinfoil and grill for about 15 minutes until fully cooked. If you choose to bake it in the oven, pre-heat to 350 degrees and place the fish on a baking sheet (covered in foil for easy clean-up). Bake for approximately 20 minutes, depending on your preference regarding how “well done” you like your salmon. Serve and enjoy! 2. Baked Flounder With Seasoned Vegetables Flakey, mild flounder is a true people-pleaser – a white fish that cooks up very quickly. This seafood recipe requires just a touch of seasoning and is very easy to prepare. A small sliver of butter and the juice of a freshly-cut lemon, is all you need to bring out all the savory flavors required for a scrumptious meal. Preparation: Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Place about two pounds of flounder filets on a greased baking pan. I would recommend going with a 9×13 dish. Season to meet your preferred flavor. For that added touch, add a thin slice of lemon to each slice of fish. Bake at 350°F for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. You should be able to flake your flounder with a fork or knife, and if you added veggies to your baking pan, they should be tender. Serve immediately. With this seafood recipe, you can pair any of your favorite steamed veggies to complement the delectable flavors of flounder. Corn on the cob, fresh tomatos, onions and cucumber salads are all great choices with this dish. Or, you can cut down on the work you put into this recipe, and add frozen veggies to the baking dish and cook alongside the flounder. If you decide to do this, add a pinch of pepper or salt, or any other spices to meet your desired taste. 3. Lemon Shrimp With Pasta (Italian Style) Shrimp is a fish that cooks up beautifully in the blink of an eye. For this easy, traditional Italian dish, there are only a few main ingredients: about two pounds of peeled, deveined shrimp; olive oil and garlic sauce (called aglio olio); and of course, pasta (about one pound). Preparing Sauce: Make this quick sauce by sautéing about four cloves of crushed garlic and a handful of chopped parsley in ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil until garlic is soft. Sprinkle with hot pepper flakes to add some heat. Preparing Pasta: For the pasta, the choice is yours. Although thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta is most common for this dish, you can easily use penne or any other shape that you prefer. Prepare pasta according to directions on the box. (Quick tip: Make the shrimp and sauce while pasta is cooking). Preparing Shrimp: In a large non-stick skillet, toss the shrimp on medium heat until pink. This should take approximately 3 minutes. When everything is cooked, toss pasta and shrimp together with the aglio olio sauce. This Italian-style shrimp dish is best complimented with a chilled side salad of mixed greens and vegetables in season. 4. Steamed Clams and Rice A summertime classic, steamed clams are a foodie favorite that’s incredibly easy to make and always satisfying. Luckily, you don’t need to be a chef to whip this up! All that’s needed is a large pot, a little water, lemon and a few basic seasonings. Preparation for Clams: Rinse about a two pounds of fresh clams (little necks, top necks or your clam of choice). You may need to rinse them several times to ensure the clams are free of sand. To steam the clams, simply pour about a cup of water into the pot and add your favorite seasonings, such as onion, celery or garlic. Place the cleaned clams into the pot and steam in the seasoned water until they are all open and steaming hot – usually about five minutes. Preparing Your Rice: Since making rice requires a longer prep time, cook the rice before steaming the clams. Rice is just as simple to prepare as the clams, so just simmer your favorite type on the stovetop (according to the rice’s directions). Serve plain, or add chopped tomatoes, onions, other vegetables or seasonings. Perfect for a casual, yet tasty summer meal, you can serve the clams atop the rice mixture or in a separate bowl. Don’t forget any empty container for the shells, of course! 5. Tangy Scallop Lime Ceviche When the temperature rises, many home cooks prefer not to turn the stove or grill on at all! Great news… ceviche is probably the easiest type of seafood recipe, as the fish is completely “cooked” by just spending time quietly marinating in citrus juice. No heat necessary for this succulent dish! Easily prepared in under an hour, or longer if you prefer, Mexican-style ceviche is a delectable, chilled treat that’s a favorite for seafood lovers. Preparation: Squeeze the juice of fresh limes into a glass bowl or durable resealable bag. Add raw scallops to your lime juice. You will want to make sure that your scallops are fully submerged into the lime juice. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Or longer if you want to maximize the citrus flavors. While you wait, dice your tomatoes, jalapenos, onions and avocado. One cup per each ingredient should suffice, but you can modify to meet your needs. After marinating for your desired time, remove your scallops and cut into smaller pieces. Add all ingredients into bowl, and toss until thoroughly mixed together. While you toss, add cilantro, salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy! This dish is incredibly versatile and can be served as entrée or appetizer alongside tortilla chips. If you prefer, you can substitute scallops with shrimp or other seafood dishes.
