The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Seafood Feast
Seafood is one of those cuisines that not everyone is on board with when it comes to eating. It might be that many have the attitude that every bit of seafood tastes fishy and well – like the sea.
However, that’s not true and a lot of the seafood that we eat, can be flavored in a way that doesn’t taste fishy at all.
With that in mind, seafood can be a great way of hosting family and friends, even if some of those family and friends have not explored the cuisine. Here is an ultimate guide to hosting a seafood feast this year.
Make sure the selection of seafood is high-quality
When it comes to selecting the ingredients for any dishes that you play host for, it’s important that you seek out the best quality available. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune, but if you’re paying attention while you shop, you’ll usually find the best ingredients whether unpackaged or packaged among the options in front of you.
Seafood is an important type of food to get right because you can very easily pick up seafood that’s not the best quality. There’s often limited availability of seafood in grocery stores unless you’re in an area where accessing seafood is a lot easier. If you’re more inland, then the options might be limited.
It might be worth seeking the guidance of experts who specialize in catching seafood and selling it. There are options online, but you want to be wary about travel times and ensure the seafood ends up on your doorstep in good time to keep fresh.
Be aware of what’s in season
When shopping for seafood, you’ll be aware that some seafood is available readily while others might be in short supply. While this might often be down to the popularity of the seafood, you may also find some seafood is better during a certain season than others. That’s why it’s a good idea to get to grips with seafood and when it’s best to serve up.
From stone crab season to looking out for summer seafood like lobster and scallops. Every season offers something different when it comes to seafood that’s readily on offer and when it’s at peak taste. Make sure you’ve brushed up on your knowledge before you go spending your hard-earned cash on these treats.
Try to offer an assortment of seafood, rather than just one or two. Despite whether or not they’re in season, a lot of the seafood you put on your plate is still going to taste great.
Get creative with platters
Platters are a great way to present seafood and should be the go-to when it comes to making up a feast for anyone you invite over. Whether you’re serving a dozen people or thirty people, you want to have these platters available so that people can just help themselves to what they prefer.
When it comes to seafood, it’s much better to keep the seafood separate from one another, rather than to just create a big dish for everyone. That means those who don’t necessarily enjoy all types of seafood, have to cautiously pick through the food you’ve made.
Get creative with the platters and opt for a range of seafood, rather than just shellfish. Some might need to go in bowls, whilst others can be a standalone. Platters are not only a joy to create but they are also a rainbow of colors to look at, especially when you add in other sides and accompaniments that go well with seafood.
Find the right recipes for your feast online and through recipe books
Choosing the right recipe is beneficial when you’re working with seafood that you’ve not cooked before. A lot of households, especially those who’ve not tried much seafood before, might find the thought of preparing a lobster or shucking oysters to be a challenge without the right tools or knowledge.
While that might be true, everything nowadays can be learned through a ‘how-to’ video on YouTube or via a recipe book.
When it comes to hosting a seafood feast, be sure to find the right recipes before you start shopping for the seafood. There are lots of recipes out there and the ones you choose need to be right for your tastebuds, as well as everyone else's. Try not to go too daring, especially for those who are attempting seafood for the first time.
Learn the methods of preparing and cooking seafood
As mentioned, the methods that come with preparing and cooking seafood are often daunting to those who’ve not tried it before. While you may have tried seafood in the past, it’s another ball game trying to make certain seafood dishes from scratch.
Some seafood is easier to prepare than others, with some needing a more experienced hand or at least the tools to make it easier. For example, if you want fresh oysters, you’ll need a shucking knife and knowledge of how to shuck an oyster. At the same time, when it comes to oysters, you’ll want these to be served on a bed of ice in order to keep fresh.
Find foods that accompany the seafood well
While there are plenty of seafood options out there, your entire feast doesn’t need to be just seafood. In fact, there are a lot of different foods that complement seafood very well from both meats, vegetables, and other produce.
Think about what you might want to partner up with certain dishes or individual seafood items. For example, the classic surf and turf in the form of shrimp and steak is a great one for those who need something a little more familiar than more unheard-of fish and shellfish.
You should also look into the vegetables that are great for serving up alongside seafood. For example, leafy greens or asparagus are great choices. Bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and carrots are all great options too.
If you’re pulling out all the stops and doing a seafood boil, eggs, onions, and potatoes tend to be the favorite when mixing in all your seafood with a delicious sauce.
On the topic of sauces, don’t forget to add plenty of condiments that will partner up with the seafood well. From wedges of lemon to garlic and butter sauce, you’ve got a lot of experimenting that can be done when you want to drench or dip seafood for extra flavors.
Don’t forget the drinks
For a lot of dishes, the right drinks are important to acquire so that you can serve up a refreshing beverage to wash down that delicious seafood.
Wine tends to go particularly well with seafood, especially when it comes to white wines. It’s worth opting for crisp and light wines such as a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc.
For those who are looking for more non-alcoholic alternatives to serve up with seafood, go with citrusy drinks as lemon is often the go-to fruit to pair up with seafood and most fish. A lemon cordial in a fizzy drink or just with water is a great go-to.
If you want to go all out when it comes to serving drinks, then make sure you’ve got a glass of champagne or two available to go with oysters. They’re the perfect pair!
Hosting a seafood feast is a lot of fun so with that being said, make sure you’ve noted down all the advice above and start exploring the world of seafood. There’s plenty going on under the sea, so why not give it a try at your next party?
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