Fresh Seafood Delivery for Book Clubs, Bible Studies and Crazy Ladies

Every couple of months or so, my mother will call me in a mild panic because it’s her turn to host book club and she completely forgot.  She will go on to talk about how everyone has a dietary restriction and she doesn’t understand how everyone has crazy food allergies these days.  “Sandy is a vegetarian, but she eats fish.  What kind of vegetarian eats fish?” she will say.  I tell her “I believe that is called a pescetarian mom”.  We can’t forget Pat of coarse.  Pat is gluten free but my mom doesn’t think she actually has Celiac Disease.  She thinks she’s just one of those “new age types” as she likes to call them.  It’s more fun to think of my mother as an upper middle class woman in her mid to late 50’s with a thick Staten Island or Long Island accent.  She actually sounds like a cross between Fran Drescher and Betty White in my head, though she doesn’t actually have an accent at all.

The best way to go with this group is obviously seafood, which is why my mother always calls me.  If there is one thing I know, it’s how to make some great seafood.  Since they will be eating, socializing and reading (probably all at the same time knowing this group of particularly chatty ladies) I think it is best to go with an array of appetizer samplings.  We already know there are a few somewhat “finicky eaters” as my mother would say, so the more options, the better our odds are of having something for everyone.

A Menu to Suit Even the Most Finicky Eaters

We have all heard of the acronym K.I.S.S. (keep it simple……silly).  This will be the trick here as you don’t want to spend all day preparing fresh seafood in your kitchen.  I find when you exert too much effort into cooking something, it’s not even enjoyable once you get to eat it.  We will use pre-cooked shrimp, pre-smoked salmon and clams.  More than half of this is already cooked so we are making our lives easier before we even get started.

Shrimp Two Ways: Tiger shrimp are a good choice because they have great flavor and are a sustainable seafood.  For these recipes, I recommend getting them precooked from a reliable distributor that can deliver them right to your home from the docks.  In my mother’s scenario, this is perfect for her to use because not only is it guaranteed to be fresh, but she can find a company that can get it to her by tomorrow since she waited until the last minute.

I decided to go with two shrimp recipes for this group that are easy to make.  It will give these ladies more options to choose from and also they are simple to prepare, making my mother’s job a little less stressful.  We will go with Shrimp Deviled Eggs (middle aged woman love deviled eggs!) and a simple shrimp cocktail.

Shrimp Deviled Eggs: The deviled eggs are pretty simple.  Once your have boiled your eggs and removed your yolks from the whites, you will want to mash up the yolks with a few key ingredients. 

• Chopped pre-cooked shrimp
• Worchestershire sauce
• Mayonaise
• Mustard
• Salt & Pepper
• Relish (optional)

Spoon the mixture into your egg whites and top it off with fresh parsley for presentation which will be important with this group.  You can also top it off with a fresh shrimp for presentation.

Shrimp cocktail: The shrimp cocktail is easy.  Your shrimp is already cooked so just splash a little lemon and lime over it.  You can go to your local supermarket and buy cocktail sauce, or you can just whip some up fresh.  I usually make two different kinds since I like to be a crowd pleaser.

Cocktail Sauce: Combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, lemon and tobasco to taste.  Mix it and you are done.

Mustard Lime Dipping Sauce: Combine mayonnaise, brown mustard, touch of honey, light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt and a slight squeeze of a lime.  Mix it and put it in a bowl.

Baked Stuffed Clams: I know what you are thinking.  What about Pat?!?!  Trust me Pat will be fine!  There is an easy way to make gluten free baked clams that even she can enjoy.  All you have to do is find a good substitute for regular bread crumbs.  Luckily for you, and my mother, lot’s of people have been going gluten free.  You could make your own, but for the sake of ease, let’s just go buy some from the store.  I prefer the gluten free panko type myself.

Start by steaming your clams in a large pot.  You want to steam them just long enough for the clams to start to open but don’t cook them all the way.  If you are purchasing your clams fresh, they should all open up after about 5-6 minutes.  If a clam does not open, it usually means it was not fresh.  Once they have cooled down, remove the empty half of the shell and place the half with the meat on a baking dish.

In a bowl, mix the following:

• Chopped cooked carrots
• Chopped celery
• Diced onion
• Parsley
• Parmesan
• Melted Butter
• Bread crumbs
• Lemon

Next you will spoon about a tablespoon full onto each clam shell.  As an added touch, I like to sprinkle a little more parmesan on top. Bake and serve.

 

Smoked Salmon Bites: This last and easiest recipe, is the one that will impress your guests the most.  I’m not sure why, but for some reason whenever you put smoked salmon on a cracker, people love it.  This appetizer is so easy to make that I’ll just cut right to the recipe and let you thank me later for saving you so much time.

• Mix equal parts mayonnaise, cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl with some salt, pepper and dill to taste.
• Smear on gluten free cracker of your choosing
• Place smoked salmon on top

Salmon is always an excellent choice when choosing a protein.  Not only is it really healthy and delicious but its also one of the most sustainable seafood choices out there.  Use a quality smoked salmon and I promise, this will be the first thing to leave the table, making you the hero of your book club or Bible study.

There are so many great options to choose from when looking for a quick and easy seafood smorgasbord to please even the pickiest of eaters.  The most important thing to remember is to make sure it is fresh to ensure the best flavor.  Make sure your distributor is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council which means that not only will get you the freshest fish in just a days time, but it will also be sustainable for the environment.