Here’s to another awesome #SeafoodSunday, Seafoodies!
Labor Day shouldn’t be labor-intensive, agreed? If you’re planning your holiday weekend menu and looking for low-key inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve assembled some simple-but-sublime seafood recipes that are a snap to make, so your celebration will be memorable in all the right ways (food and fun, rather than prep and cleanup). All you need is a hot grill or a few minutes in the kitchen. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to partying like a pescatarian!
The end of summer’s a great time to take a dip … or make one! How about an appetizing swirl of smoked salmon, light cream cheese and dill? It’s a sensational schmear in a bowl — serve with bagel chips or carrot sticks for a quick-prep app that you can whip up for a satisfying snack or scale up for a larger gathering. We’ve also been crushing (and noshing) on a dip with a fantastic ingredient — smoked trout — that’s just calling out for a crunchy companion like celery or crackers to make it a crowd-pleasing dish. These dips clock in at just about 5 minutes each, so you can whip them up without breaking a sweat.
Grilling is a classic way to prepare Labor Day eats, with good reason. Who among us can resist some char-grilled shrimp or fish? Plus, grilling keeps the vibe casual while putting you close to the social action. For a dish that requires minimal effort, we recommend two delectably different shrimp skewers: One features a honey-garlic marinade that caramelizes the shrimp on the grill and the other boasts a spicy, Asian-inspired glaze and a robust salad of greens, peaches and roasted peanuts. Neither requires a heavy lift — the hardest part is deciding which recipe to try!
Or, if you’re in the mood for grilled fish, we suggest boldly going where few grillers have gone before: fresh sardines with an herbaceous vinaigrette. This unexpected fish packs plenty of flavor into its diminutive size, and it grills up in just a few minutes. If your friends have been enjoying the “date night” tinned cousin of this fish, just wait until they taste this fresh version — delicious! No extra muscle required — just ask your fishmonger to do the cleaning and scaling for you.
And for the ultimate end-of-summer bash, we offer a festive clambake. This recipe skips the laborious steps of digging a pit and watching your seafood cook for hours, jumping straight to a stovetop shortcut. A sealed Dutch oven mimics the traditional sand pit and seals in all the wonderful components of the “bake,” steaming the seafood with potatoes and corn for a true New England treat (sans seaweed). Served outside (on labor-free disposable plates, of course), this is a casual feast of the highest order. We can’t think of a more fitting tribute to a summer well spent!
You’ll find these recipes and more below. Enjoy, and happy Labor Day, Seafoodies!
Seafoodie labor hack: Start with precooked seafood (like smoked salmon), and your dish is almost done! This 5-minute dip is ready whenever you are.
Gently sauté these delicate salmon burgers in a pan, then set out on a platter so your guests can assemble with the fixings of their choice. Easy-peasy!
Stocking up your pantry and freezer means you can enjoy these succulent shrimp skewers any day of the year. But they’re especially fun if you’re looking for a foolproof Labor Day recipe that your friends and family will love.
Sriracha Shrimp Skewers with Collard-Peach Salad
A little bit hot, a little bit sweet and decidedly Southern! Colorful, flavor-forward shrimp salad is just the thing to celebrate summer’s bounty.
A summery cornucopia on a plate! This foolproof, 25-minute dish pairs spice-rubbed salmon fillets with a grilled pineapple salsa that’s out of this world.
This pantry-friendly dish is ideal for impromptu guests (or procrastinating hosts!) because it comes together in just a couple of minutes. But it’s the smoky, flaky trout that makes this dip a standout.
Tuna Croquettes with Lemon-Caper Sauce
It doesn’t get much easier than canned or pouched tuna. Add a few pantry ingredients, and you’ve got company-worthy croquettes that everyone — little Seafoodies included — will love.
Char-Grilled Honey Parmesan Oysters
You’ve got to hand it to oysters: These bodacious bivalves really know how to party! This N’awlins-inspired delicacy takes only 20 minutes to prepare.
A family favorite, this aromatic tuna dish boasts olives, capers, feta and other mouthwatering Mediterranean ingredients, to delight your guests. Something else you’ll love: It’s a one-pot, 25-minute meal!
No digging required! Relax while your seafood of choice steams on the stovetop. This recipe can accommodate whatever fish you wish, but we’re partial to this classic combo of clams, mussels and shrimp.
Grilled Whole Sardines with Charred Rosemary Vinaigrette
It’s well worth getting to know this underappreciated fish! Ask your fishmonger to clean and scale the sardines, so all you need to do is whisk up a marinade and pop them on the grill.
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