The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and indulgence. It’s a time when we come together with our loved ones, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious meals. But amidst all the traditional holiday feasts centered around turkey and ham, we often forget to explore new culinary horizons. This year, why not add a touch of elegance to your table with the bounty of the sea?
Introducing seafood into your festive menu will impress your guests and leave them craving more. From succulent scallops appetizers to mouthwatering lobster entrees, we have curated a collection of delightful seafood recipes to make this holiday meal one to remember.
In this article, we will explore holiday seafood recipes.
4 Seafood Recipes for Holidays
Baked Stuffed Lobster Tails
Baked stuffed lobster tails are a delicious and elegant seafood dish that’s perfect for special occasions or a fancy dinner at home. Here’s a simple recipe to make baked stuffed lobster tails:
Ingredients:
- 4 South African Lobster Tails
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Lemon wedges for garnish
Preparations:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- To prepare lobster tails, use kitchen shears or a knife to cut the top shell. Cut from the wide end towards the tail fan without cutting through the bottom shell. Lift the meat and place it on top of the shell, keeping it attached at the tail end. This is called “butterflying” the tails.
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, and dried oregano. Mix everything together to form a stuffing.
- Stuff each lobster tail with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it down gently to hold the meat in place. You can also drizzle a little extra melted butter on top of each tail for added flavor.
- Place the stuffed lobster tails on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. You can line the dish with foil for easy cleanup.
- Bake the lobster tails in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the lobster claw meat is opaque and the stuffing is golden brown.
- Garnish with additional chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.
2. Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
Crab legs with garlic butter is a classic and delicious seafood dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. Here’s a simple recipe to make crab legs with garlic butter:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of colossal king crab legs
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparations:
- Thaw the crab legs if they are frozen. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or running them under cold water until they’re fully thawed.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute or two until the garlic becomes fragrant, but be careful not to let it brown.
- Stir in the chopped parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season the garlic butter with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well, and then remove it from the heat.
- Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, split the crab legs down the center to make it easier to access the meat. Place the crab legs in a large oven-safe dish.
- Pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the crab legs.
- Bake the crab legs in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of crab legs, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Once the crab legs are heated and the garlic butter sauce is bubbling, remove them from the oven.
- Serve the crab legs with additional lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
3. Scallop and Bacon Wraps
Scallop and bacon wraps are a mouthwatering appetizer or party snack that combines the sweet and tender taste of scallops with the savory goodness of bacon. Here’s a simple seafood holiday recipes for scallop and bacon wraps:
Ingredients:
- 12 large driver scallops
- 6 slices of bacon, cut in half
- 12 wooden toothpicks, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)
Preparations:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This will be the marinade for your scallops.
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. Dip each scallop into the marinade, making sure they are coated evenly.
- Take each marinated scallop and wrap it with a half-slice of bacon. Secure the bacon in place by using a soaked wooden toothpick.
- Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish, making sure they are not touching.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the scallops are cooked through. You can also broil them for a few minutes at the end to get the bacon extra crispy.
- Remove the scallop and bacon wraps from the oven and let them cool slightly. Carefully remove the toothpicks.
- Optionally, garnish the scallop and bacon wraps with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and flavor.
- Serve the scallop and bacon wraps as an appetizer or party snack. They pair well with a dipping sauce, such as a spicy mayonnaise, garlic aioli, or a simple lemon wedge for squeezing.
4. Escabeche Fish Dish With Caviar
Escabeche is a popular Mediterranean and Latin American dish that typically involves marinating and cooking fish or other proteins in a tangy, vinegar-based sauce. Here’s a holiday seafood recipe for escabeche fish dish with caviar:
Ingredients:
For the Fish:
- 4 fish fillets (such as snapper, mackerel, or sea bass)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- All-purpose flour for dredging
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Escabeche Marinade:
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced into matchsticks
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Hackleback Caviar
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Preparations:
- Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper. Dredge them in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Cook fish 3-4 mins on each side till golden brown and cook through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the sliced onions, garlic, bell peppers, and carrot. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften.
- Pour in the white wine vinegar and white wine. Add the bay leaf, paprika, dried oregano, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has reduced slightly.
- Place the cooked fish fillets in a serving dish, and then pour the hot escabeche marinade over them. Allow the dish to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for at least a couple of hours to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, sprinkle caviar over the escabeche fish. The caviar adds a luxurious touch to the dish, providing bursts of flavor and texture.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and additional flavor.
- Serve your escabeche fish dish with caviar as an appetizer or a main course, accompanied by crusty bread or rice. Enjoy!
Conclusion
These festive seafood recipes offer a delightful way to elevate your holiday gatherings and leave a lasting impression on your guests. Whether you opt for the succulent flavors of baked stuffed lobster tails, the richness of a scallop and bacon wraps, or the refreshing zest of an escabeche fish dish with caviar, you have the opportunity to create a memorable dining experience that brings joy, togetherness, and a touch of elegance to your holiday festivities. Explore these delectable recipes, and let the magic of seafood holiday dishes add a special sparkle to your next holiday celebration.
