by Marisa Miyasaki, Community Manager for Menuism.com
With June well underway, the radiant sun brings a return of our favorite seasonal fare, seafood. Beat the heat with a cooled shrimp ceviche and an ice-cold cocktail -- it's time to celebrate! The season's abundance of fresh seafood has prompted the ultimate seafood-lovers' holiday: National Seafood Month.
When it comes to the vast world of seafood possibilities, inspiration is everywhere. Tantalize your taste buds with salmon, a standard crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. A sweet teriyaki glaze can transform baked salmon into an Asian-inspired dish, or a simple poached salmon with white wine and fresh lemon can bring out delicious acidic flavors that are perfect for summer. Or, if you're in the mood for a lighter meal, seared salmon cubes can make for a delicious fish taco. Top it off with shredded lettuce and pico de gallo, and voilà -- you've created an effortlessly tasty summer snack.
National Seafood Month wouldn't be complete without our favorite crustaceans: lobster, crab and shrimp, and their many communal gatherings -- most notably, seafood boils. If you're not afraid to get a little messy, seafood boils are a great way to entertain and feed a large group of people. Varying from region to region, popular ingredients include potatoes, corn, sausage, beer, bay leaves, garlic and lemon, all combined in a large vat of boiling water. The seafood boil is then enjoyed on a newspaper-covered table for an easy cleanup. Ready yourself with a napkin bib and a drop cloth -- you'll be up to your elbows in seafood.
National Seafood Month is the perfect opportunity to guiltlessly indulge in restaurants' seafood offerings. Make a trip to one of Menuism's favorite spots below for a scrumptious seafood meal:
Boiling Crab -- Multiple locations in California, Nevada, and Texas
Want to have a seafood boil experience at a restaurant? Venture over to one of Boiling Crab's locations for shrimp, crawfish, crab and more (plastic bib included). Choose your seasonings, including lemon pepper, garlic butter, rajun' cajun or "the whole shebang," and level of spiciness up to XXX.
Fresh Corn Grill -- two Los Angeles locations
If you're in the Los Angeles area, try Fresh Corn Grill's version of the grilled salmon taco. An interesting variety of sauces and side dishes have made this dish an instant hit.
Frontier -- Chicago, IL
With 20 varieties of oysters, smoked trout and ahi tuna sandwiches, Frontier's "Fished" menu seems straight out of every seafood-lover's ultimate fantasy.
Festivals also provide a great way to enjoy a variety of fresh food in a lively, outdoor setting. Below, take a look at some of the seafood festivals happening around the country this month:
Dana Point Lobster Fest - June 23rd in Dana Point, CA
For $75, you can gain entry into the festival, which includes a Gourmet Lobster & Steak Buffet, a live band, wine, dancing and more. All proceeds from the event will go toward Children's Charities.
Lacombe Crab Festival -- June 23rd & 24th in Lacombe, LA
From boiled crabs to crab cakes, the hungry crab lover definitely won't want to miss this event. With tons of fresh crab and excellent musical entertainment, you will leave beyond satisfied. Admission is $5 per person, and children 10 and under can get in for free.
Summer Seafood Festival -- June 23rd in Tilghman Island, MD
East Coasters, you can enjoy your seafood fun in the sun at Tilghman Island. Fresh crabs, dancing, contests and live music make this event a must-go for Maryland foodies.
Related Links from the Menuism Restaurant Blog:
• Eating With the Seasons, the Japanese Way
• Food and Wine Pairing Fundamentals
• 5 Salad-Free Ways to Eat More Raw Food
Marisa Miyasaki loves to mix and match different cuisines and believes Korean Tacos are just about the coolest thing ever invented. She is a devout foodhist and has a borderline-crazy obsession with taking pictures of nearly everything she eats. As Menuism's Community Manager, Marisa hopes to share her passion for food with the world -- one hungry foodie at a time.