Season of Seafood

Now that Memorial Day weekend is behind us, it is unofficially summertime! And there’s nothing better than seafood on a hot summer day. Whether you’re a fan of traditional crab legs and lobster tails or prefer modern-day mashups such as fish tacos, these warm-weather concoctions can make any day feel like summer.

Crab Stuffed Avocados

This refreshing snack is perfect for summer afternoons. To make this recipe at home, you’ll need these ingredients:

• 1 pound of jumbo lump crabmeat
• 3/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon of dijon mustard
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning, plus extra for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup of diced celery
• 1/3 cup of diced cherry tomatoes
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion
• 3-4 avocados, halved and pitted
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
• Lemon wedges for serving, optional

To start, mix the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay, dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste before whisking. Next, add in the crabmeat, celery, cherry tomatoes, scallions, and onion. After gently mixing, scoop the mixture into the avocados, garnishing with parsley and Old Bay. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Shrimp Scampi

This dish consists of buttery shrimp and your choice of starch, whether it be pasta or rice. This recipe from the Food Network uses linguini and requires the following ingredients:

• 1 pound of linguini 
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 shallots, finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
• 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup of dry white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley leaves

First, you’ll want to cook your pasta to your liking and then drain. Next, bring two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of olive oil to medium heat before sauteing the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). After 3-4 minutes, season the shrimp with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Once they reach a pink color, remove them from the pan and add the wine and lemon juice. Once it begins to boil, add two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of olive oil, before adding the shrimp and pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper before garnishing with olive oil and parsley!

Lemon Butter Scallops – A Simple Seafood Dish

One final, and simple, dish to try this seafood season is lemon butter scallops. So grab your cast iron skillet and let’s get searing! Gather the following ingredients:

• 8 large sea scallops, side muscle removed
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, minced
• 1–2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Juice of half a lemon, squeezed

Begin by patting the scallops dry and seasoning with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to the skillet and place it on high heat. Add scallops to the pan and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side. Once golden brown, remove from the skillet and add the lemon, garlic, parsley, and butter to the pan. Once the mixture is hot, return the scallops to the pan to cook for 1-2 minutes. Finally, plate and drizzle with extra sauce!

Source of Seafood Inspiration

If you’re looking for other seafood options, check out the dinner menu at Kevin’s Bar and Restaurant. We have plenty of seafood dishes that you can draw inspiration from and easily make from the comfort of your own kitchen, ensuring that your summer dinners are delicious!