Monday, November 24, 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.

Do you feel like lately you've been in a culinary rut, and want to open your kitchen up to new types of ingredients. Smoked seafood can be a great way to introduce seafood into your diet, while also enjoying the interesting and rich flavors of smoking, which work well in many different contexts. Smoked salmon is the most common example of smoked fish, and it makes a great addition to any family Sunday brunch. Simply lay out a spread of bagels, cream cheese, and salmon, and you've got a protein packed meal!

Another delicious type of smoked seafood are smoked scallops. Scallops are a great type of seafood, flavorful and rich tasting, and with an interesting texture that's incredibly pleasing to the palate. They're all the rage at top restaurants, and by serving them smoked, you can have them pre-cooked in your fridge at a moments notice, ready to be served hot or cold. A serving suggestion is to include them in a linguine. This will help to take an ordinary pasta to an extraordinary flavor, and is a great mix of textures.

Smoked shrimp is another exciting new way to enjoy smoked seafood. Shrimp are already such a succulent delight that when they're smoked, it adds an entirely new and exciting dimension to their flavor. Smoked shrimp are a great addition to any type of pasta dish or stir fry. They're also great as a stand alone snack. Why not try them in a salad to add an extra punch?

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 these exciting new types of smoked seafood? Some are available in local stores, but they are sure to be expensive. For the best variety and quality, shopping online is the way to go. It will also save you time and money, both of which are always appreciated close to the holidays. Ordering online also guarantees that you'll be able to get the best deals on variety packs, with something for everyone to try.

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