There’s nothing more comforting or interesting than food. We all love food in many different ways and no matter what occasion or the usual everyday life. Food will forever give us that distinct happiness ranging from exploring different cuisines or creating them. In each region of the world, we are presented with unique and flavorful dishes. It’s always best to have that time to travel anywhere locally or internationally to explore cultures and their dishes.
When we talk about savory dishes we crave to eat, we would likely think of what type of meat. Usually, we would either choose from Red meat (Goat, Pork, Beef), Poultry (Chicken, Duck, Turkey), or Seafood (Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusk). I have to be honest, seafood is my least favorite type of meat. The same goes with others, seafood may not be a go-to meal or a favorite. Depending on the texture or the taste of seafood, we all have different palettes and preferences. Regardless of my dislike, I always have the curiosity of trying various kinds of seafood as they look mouthwatering and appetizing. Continually developing curiosity about different cuisines can gradually make us realize that there are so many delicious ways to make our seafood experience better.
I want to share with you several seafood dishes that you can explore or make during your free time. Even if seafood is not a preferable meal for some, curiosity won’t stop you from experiencing new dishes and from expanding your horizons with seafood.
Fish
Fish; probably the most obvious seafood that everyone knows. Fun fact, there are about 32000 varieties of fish around the world. The delicate, moist, and tender texture of the meat with countless amounts of flavors to choose from. Through frying, fish can be marinated or coated with flavorful seasonings. Then fried until you achieved that golden brown exterior and perfectly cooked meat. If you want baked fish, your fish can be mixed with sauces and vegetables of your preference. I would either bake fish with lemon butter or with a creamy bechamel sauce. It's a healthier option for preparing fish rather than frying fish in deep oil. If you want a hearty and easy-to-digest meal, go for soups. There are so many fish soups to consider but, my go-to fish soup is a traditional Filipino fish sinigang. Fish like Pompano, Milkfish (Bangus), or Salmon cooked in a rich, savory broth with vegetables. Make sure to add a sour agent like tamarind for a more flavorful soup broth.
Squid
Squid as a delicacy originated in the Mediterranean region. The seafood is served throughout the world ranging from street foods to several renowned luxury restaurants. Squid is a good source of protein, iron, and vitamin B which boosts immunity and nourishes the blood. When it comes to delicacies, the most popular is calamari. Fun fact, Calamari comes from the Italian word “Calamaro”, which means squid in English. Squids that were marinated and coated, then deep-fried to golden perfection, then sprinkled with lemon and dipped into a delicious marinara sauce. Aside from the usual fried calamari, we can make a smokier and tangy savory squid through grilling. Cover the squid with your own preferred rubs like a mixture of soy sauce, calamansi, or oyster sauce. Later on, cooked on a hot grill with continuous burning charcoal. If you want, you can also put fillings inside the grilled squid such as sauteed vegetables that consist of tomatoes, potatoes, onions, etc. A perfect meal when outdoors.
Shrimp
These little crustaceans are known for several dishes worldwide. Personally, shrimp is my most favored seafood and I would literally eat as many if I want to. Taking a bite of a fresh and plump shrimp brings out the shrimpy flavor that most of us want. When there are shrimps, I would likely make an Ebi (shrimp) tempura with a tempura sauce to go with it. Shrimps are covered with a homemade tempura batter or breadcrumbs and deep-fried with hot oil. The crunchy exterior and the soft texture of the meat with the flavors of the sauce melt through our taste buds. If you want a more flavorful or a spicy experience in your dish, Chili garlic shrimp is what you need. A stir-fry shrimp with a tangy, sweet, and garlicky sauce. Taking a bite from the stir-fried shrimp leads you to the savory flavors of the garlicky sauce with a hint of spice. A meal that will go well to any side.
There are so many more seafoods that we can consider trying. From frying, grilling, steaming, or baking, we have the freedom to decide on what we can do to make our foods delicious. Transforming seafood into a mouthwatering dish, know that creativity and effort are needed. Maybe through wandering to several dishes, there may be one dish that will be added to your favorite lists.
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