Try These 3 Seafood Classics Today!
Seafood is an underrated part of American cuisine. While meat dishes are appreciated for their taste and flavor, people don’t give seafood the same appreciation.
However, in recent times, many restaurants have come up in the country specializing in seafood. They prepare mouth-watering delicacies that will make you a big fan of seafood in no time.
Whether shrimp, lobster, or salmon, you can’t deny experiencing flavors that pamper your taste buds.
So, here, in this article, we have enlisted the top 3 seafood classics that you must try anytime and anywhere!
1. Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp is the most popular seafood in the United States of America. Grilled shrimp is usually a staple at cookouts and restaurants because many people love eating them.
They possess a variety of flavors due to the different sides served and the sauces they are coated with before being grilled.
The marination is what makes shrimps more delicious and juicier. Their size also influences the food’s taste. However, consumer preferences determine whether they like bigger shrimps or smaller ones.
Ingredients and Sides
Aside from the main ingredient, shrimp, many other components make this seafood dish a culinary delight.
Shrimps are marinated in a sauce that differs by chefs but still manages to retain an original flavor.
In terms of sides, salad items are usually a popular choice. Some prefer cilantro sprinkled on slices of cucumber or tomato, while others like grilled vegetables like carrots, peppers, carrots, and avocados.
Lemon wedges are also kept as sides, and sometimes the shrimp is sprinkled with lemon juice to give it a slightly sourish taste.
Health Benefits
Shrimp is a food that is extremely low in calories while being rich in many vitamins and minerals. It also offers a high iodine content that assists in good brain health and proper and regular thyroid function.
Moreover, shrimp has proved to be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains an antioxidant called Astaxanthin that has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a barrier against free radicals seeking to damage your cells.
Shrimp have been known to contribute to eye health and bone strength. This seafood ingredient also triggers the release of serotonin, which can significantly improve your mood. It even helps ward off cancer.
2. Tuna Steak
Tuna steak is one dish that makes you feel like royalty when you eat it. It looks and tastes pretty similar to beef steak but with an addition of a fishy flavor.
Tuna steaks are obtained from the loin of the fish and are slightly pinkish. They get a little dry when cooked, but that is just a part of their appeal.
The marinade comprising orange or lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and pepper, among other ingredients, influences most of the flavor of the tuna fish. This is because the steak is coated generously and kept like that for quite some time before being grilled.
Ingredients and Sides
Apart from the all-important tuna, there are other ingredients that combine with it to create the perfect taste sensation.
Salads go well with any fish, and the tuna steak is no exception. Cucumber, tomato, and onion slices with some lettuce are a simple but tasty side to have with tuna.
Potatoes, too, make for a great side dish, whether baked or fried. Stuffed peppers are another creation that goes well with tuna, along with the classic boiled or fried French beans that offer a perfect blending of flavors.
Although not served as much, brown rice has been known to be an excellent accompaniment to a tuna steak while being a healthy option.
Health Benefits
The main health benefit of tuna is that it is a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are beneficial for your body as they reduce omega-6 fatty acids and low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL cholesterol.
Tuna is also believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is rich in vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the immune system.
The fish also assists in maintaining clear and healthy skin. Besides, it has antioxidants that help fight off cancer cells that cause breast and kidney cancer.
3. Fried Calamari
Fried calamari, also called fried squid, is a dish served in almost every seafood restaurant worth it’s salt.
Its taste is determined by the batter it is fried in, which makes it crispy and tasty.
The fried calamari dish does not use a lot of spices, so it needs to be salted well and thoroughly to meet the taste demands.
Ingredients and Sides
Calamari is best served with different sauces depending on the consumer’s preference. Some prefer tangier sauces like spaghetti sauce, while others prefer blander white sauces with mayonnaise and bits of garlic or pepper.
Some people also prefer having lemon juice on the top so that the sour taste perfectly complements the calamari’s salty one.
A few customers like having potato dip or broccoli on the side with cauliflower. Besides, steamed vegetables can be an excellent side to fried calamari for those looking for a healthy alternative.
Health Benefits
Calamari is rich in protein essential for your body’s good functioning. It also contains certain antioxidants that can help fight cancer cells and increase the number of white blood cells in the body.
This seafood dish has many vitamins and minerals like vitamin B-12, potassium, iron, and phosphorus, which are known to be highly beneficial for maintaining a healthy immune system, blood, and bones.
They also contain minerals that fight off anemia and help keep you strong and maintain proper digestion and good skin. Like most seafood, calamari is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Conclusion
Seafood is considered a specialty worldwide and can be used to prepare various mouth-watering dishes. There is an abundance of spices, sauces, and marinades that you can add to create a recipe perfectly suited to your tastes.
Additionally, seafood is excellent for your diet as it imparts significant health benefits. So, all you need to do is partake in these 3 classic seafood dishes at least once in your lifetime and enjoy the cuisine at its best!