1. Canned tuna.
-Easy to find, cheap to purchase and conveniently long shelf life. You'd be amazed how much potential this seemingly low-end product has. Lighten up your usual chicken salad by replacing the meat with tuna along with plain Greek yogurt, onions, crunchy veggies like celery and cucumber, garlic seasoning, lemon and voila! This salad tastes great over a bed of fresh greens, or spread on a tortilla wrap or toasted sliced bread.
-Another idea: tuna cakes. Since the fish is chopped up in the can for you, all you have to do is add some seasoning, breadcrumbs, veggies if you'd like, and egg as your ingredient binder. Mix everything together and form into a burger patty and fry on a skillet. Add even more flavor and top with assorted cheeses, salsa, or even spread on some hummus.
2. Salmon.
-A staple fish. This one is jam packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids that will make your skin glow and helps nurture a strong heart. If you're in a rush, a no-brainer is to simply fry your salmon in a pan with some garlic, onions, seasoning and of course, tons of lemon. I personally love fish with the skin on. It is extremely nutritious and when properly fried, a beautiful and crunchy crust forms on the underside of the filet – perfection.
Extra toppings:
-Capers
-Giardiniera
-Fresh dill
-If you time to wait for the oven to preheat: wrap the salmon in foil and gently roast with a store bought Asian flavored Sesame Ginger marinade OR use chicken stock to poach the fish with tomatoes and basil.
-Feeling fancy? Then, smoked salmon is for you. Delicate in texture and shaved in thin layers, smoked salmon is useful for quick snacks and breakfast. Sprinkle some smoked salmon with a flavored cream cheese, red onions, and tomato to transform a plain omelet into a filling and scrumptious treat to start your day. This combination can also be applied to the classic Lox tradition by piling all the same ingredients onto a toasted bagel.
3. Shrimp.
-Shrimp is versatile and cooks in just a few short minutes. With the weather warming up, excite your taste buds with a light and refreshing ceviche salad made by cooking the shrimp using the acid of citrus, such as lemon or lime, along with fresh cilantro, garlic, tomatoes and olive oil.
-My latest recipe obsession: homemade coconut shrimp. Assemble two separate dipping containers: one for egg wash (beat one egg) and the other for the coconut breading. I lightened up my breading by using oatmeal, seasoning salt, pepper, red pepper flake and unsweetened coconut flakes. If you didn't want to use oatmeal, you could always opt for quinoa or traditional breadcrumbs; and if you don't have those, just crunch up a plain, unsweetened breakfast cereal such as Fiber One Original or Cornflakes. Then, bake your coated shrimps in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, you've made yourself an even tastier Red Lobster classic! If you're going for the complete restaurant equivalent, then you'll need a dipping sauce.
Here's my version:
-Greek yogurt (my favorite, if you couldn't tell)
-Orange marmalade
-Zest of an orange
-Pina colada drink mix (optional, but makes all the difference)
4. Tilapia/ Mahi-Mahi/ Cod (each are special and unique on their own, but no offense, they basically taste all the same).
-Last, but certainly not least, we can't forget about our wondrous white fish selections. Not only are they figure friendly, but their mild flavor and firm texture allows them to be used in diverse dishes.
-White fish tacos: choose any fish mentioned above and combine with a pre-mixed taco seasoning and simmer with lime juice in a pan or in the oven. That's it! Couldn't get much easier, right? Now, toast up a flour or corn tortilla, gently lay your fish down and go crazy with toppings. You'll be more concerned with fitting all the fix-ins into one large burrito, than you did cooking the actual entrée portion.
Some taco topper ideas:
-CHEESE (a must whether it's mozzarella, cheddar, or Chihuahua)
-Seasoned black or pinto beans
-Sour cream (or substitute Greek yogurt)
-Lettuce
-Tomatoes
-Fajita-style bell peppers
-Salsa
Trust me, you will not miss the meat in this dish. Happy eating, and good luck with your seafood adventures! I hope these culinary tips inspire you to eat more fish and experiment with recipes that please your own tastes preferences.
