Seafood Trio

SEAFOOD BAKE FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Arrange the halibut, scallops, and shrimp in an oven-safe, glass baking dish. Drizzle with wine, butter, and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the seasoning and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bake in preheated oven until the halibut has turned white, and is flaky, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley just before serving.

SEAFOOD TRIO W/SHRIMP, SCALLOPS AND CRAB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil in heavy-bottomed sauce pan over medium-low heat.
• Add scallion and a good pinch of salt. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow to brown.
• Add flour and stir until all oil is absorbed, forming a heavy paste.
• Cook paste (this is a white roux with scallions in it at this stage) for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid browning.
• Add 1/2 of the clam juice, stirring well to incorporate and avoid lumping.
• Add 1/2 of the clam juice, repeating the process.
• Stir in the wine.
• Stir in the cream.
• Add cayenne and white pepper.
• Bring sauce to a very low simmer. Taste sauce and adjust salt to taste. (I usually add about 1/2 tsp, but salt varies so sneak up on it rather than use more than you like.).
• Test the thickness by dipping a spoon into the sauce and letting it run off. It should be just thick enough to coat and cling to the back of the spoon -- this is called "nappe" (pronounced "na-pay" by my culinary instructor but my college French professor would have said "nap",) in classical cooking. If it is too thick, add a bit more clam juice or cream until you get the desired thickness, and reheat to a very low simmer.
• Add parsley and stir to incorporate.
• Preheat 2 oval ramekins (we use about a 4"x6" size, but any oval large enough to contain 12 oz of seafood will work) by running them under hot water.
• Place 1/2 of shrimp in one end of each ramekin. Place 1/2 of crab in opposite end of each ramekin. Place 1/2 of scallops in the center of each ramekin. (Yes, you want the seafood separated into neat little sections. It works. Trust me.).
• Pour 1/2 of the sauce evenly over the contents of each ramekin. Don't worry if the sauce wants to stick on the top -- it will run down into the seafood as the "casserole" bakes.
• If desired, you can put a thin layer of panko to the top of each ramekin. (This is not how the original was done, but my sister likes a bit of contrast in her textures so I do this when I'm cooking for her as well, and it certainly doesn't hurt anything.).
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top begins to show signs of browning. If there is no sign of browning after 20 minutes, raise the shelf and turn your oven to broil. Broil for no more than 5 minutes! This depends on your oven, and if you cook the seafood too long, you will get rubbery seafood.
• Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

SEAFOOD TRIO

Steps:

• Sauté the celery, leek, mushrooms, garlic and parsley in the butter. Cook 2 minutes.If white wine is used, pour it over the vegetables and cook on high until the liquid has been reduced by half.Cook the mussels in 1/4 cup (60 mL) of chicken stock until they open. Mussels which are open prior to cooking must be discarded.Drain the mussels and save the liquid. Add the liquid to the vegetables mixture along with the tomatoes, scallops and salmon. Salt and pepper to taste.Cook on low for 4 minutes or until the fish is almost ready.Mix the cornstarch and cream together and add to the preparation. Cook on low, stirring until the mixture thickens. Add the mussels and parmesan.Serve over pasta.

CHICKEN AND SEAFOOD TRIO IN A BASKET

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook until tender yet crisp; about 2 minutes. Drain.
• Cut seafood and chicken into 1/2 inch cubes. Coat both with cornstarch, egg white, salt and pepper.
• Place a wok over high heat until hot. Add oil and swirl to coat the sides. Add ginger and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add seafood, chicken and green onions and stir fry for 1 minute. Add broth, oyster sauce, and fish sauce and bring to a boil. Add cornstarch solution and cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens. Add asparagus and toss to mix.
• To make basket, heat cooking oil in a wok for deep frying to about 30 degrees F. Rinse shredded potato under cold running water; squeeze well to remove as much moisture as possible and pat dry with paper towels. Toss potato with cornstarch. Dip strainers into hot oil to coat them. Line one strainer with potato to a thickness of about 3/8 inch. Nest second strainer on top, and immerse strainers in oil. Deep fry until golden brown. Remove potato from the basket and drain on paper towels. Fill immediately with seafood mixture.