Saturday, November 29, 2008

Smoked Seafood is a Crowd Pleaser

By Sherry Shantel

As someone who works and has a family, it can be hard to stay on top of culinary trends. Food magazines are a great way to find out what's going on out there, but sometimes you want something a little more immediate that can impact your dinner soon. And what if you don't want to spend a ton of money, or try something that has eighteen steps and thirty ingredients? The internet can be a great place to find new and interesting culinary adventures. And here's a tip to share. One of the coolest things going on right now is smoked seafood.

Smoked seafood is an exciting new trend that can spice up everything from a stir fry to a fancy dinner party. Some types of smoked seafood, such as smoked salmon, have been around for years. Smoked salmon is a classic, but it's also a crowd pleaser, and it's an excellent way to introduce your kids to the tastes and textures of fish, getting them ready for more exotic foods. One of the easiest meals to prepare with smoked salmon is also one of the most delicious. Simply toast a bagel, slather it with cream cheese, and top with a piece of smoked salmon. Breakfast served!

If you're looking to be more adventurous with your smoked seafood, why not give smoked scallops a try. Scallops are a delicious type of seafood that is always popular at restaurants. And with smoked scallops, they're also incredibly easy to prepare in your home. Instead of worrying about the perfect seer, you'll have precooked scallops waiting for you in the fridge, waiting to be placed, hot or cold, into a variety of great entrees. As a recommendation, try heating them to serve with an alfredo pasta dish, a great mix of bold flavors and textures sure to delight.

Smoked shrimp is an exciting type of smoked seafood that is sure to please the diehard shrimp lovers among us. Shrimp is such a great tasting crustacean, and when smoked, you'll be able to pop them, pre cooked, right into your mouth for an instant, flavor filled snack. They also make a great addition to many different types of dishes, including pastas and salads.

If you've got a holiday gathering coming up, smoked seafood can become the life of the party, making your appetizers different than all the rest. You can greet your guests with a smoked shrimp cocktail, sure to add a fresh twist on the old party standby. Want to go for something classic? Try a cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers canap, easy to eat while mingling. And to really spice it up, serve some smoked scallop ceviche.

Where can you find all these great smoked seafoods? Some are available in your grocery store, but save some time, and cut your bill in half, by ordering online instead. That way you'll know you're getting the bestquality fish, fresh smoked, and delivered to you overnight. - 16650

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