12 Healthy (but Tasty) Seafood Dinners
We know fish is good for us...but not when it's drenched in butter or fried in oil. We gathered 12 recipes that keep things light.
By Lynn Andriani
Grilled Sea Scallops with Saffron Spaghetti, Vegetables and Fresh Herbs
This one-dish meal delivers protein, starch and vegetables (including Swiss chard, peas and tomatoes). It also has Mediterranean flavor, thanks to garlic, white wine, parsley, tarragon, basil and thyme.
Get the recipe: Grilled Sea Scallops with Saffron Spaghetti, Vegetables and Fresh Herbs
Seared Tuna with Fresh Corn and Wasabi "Cream"
Who knew three ingredients could produce such a savory meal? The secret is simmering the corn in water and then pureeing it (plus the cooking liquid) in a blender with a teaspoon of wasabi paste. The resulting sauce makes a perfect topping for quickly cooked tuna steaks.
Get the recipe: Seared Tuna with Fresh Corn and Wasabi "Cream"
Savory Halibut with Braised Red Peppers and Leeks
Marinating the fish in a mixture of olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, white wine, garlic and ginger root gives it depth. Serve it with a grain such as barley or oats to soak up the sauce.
Get the recipe: Savory Halibut with Braised Red Peppers and Leeks
Baked Alaskan Cod with Peppers, Potatoes and Carrots
Ben Pollinger, executive chef at the restaurant
Oceana in New York, roasts strips of red and green peppers, potato and carrot; then he lays the fish on top to cook while the vegetables continue to soften.
Get the recipe: Baked Alaskan Cod with Peppers, Potatoes and Carrots
Basil-Steamed Shrimp over Buckwheat Soba Noodles
While steamed foods can sometimes be lacking in the flavor department, the herbs and spices in this dish ensure there's plenty of zest.
Get the recipe: Basil-Steamed Shrimp over Buckwheat Soba Noodles
Wild Salmon Satay with Asian-Style Pesto
This party-ready finger food gets its kick from an herbal spread—made from ginger, garlic, jalapeño chili, cilantro, mint, parsley, lemongrass, lime juice and sesame oil—that serves as a marinade and a sauce.
Get the recipe: Wild Salmon Satay with Asian-Style Pesto
Piquillo Peppers with Mediterranean Tuna Salad
You can make this dish almost entirely from pantry ingredients. Just stuff a mixture of tuna packed in oil, paprika, lemon zest and lemon juice inside Spanish piquillo peppers, which gourmet food shops sell in jars.
Get the recipe: Piquillo Peppers with Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Ted Allen's Crab Cakes
These simple, healthy crab cakes are baked, not fried. They aren't padded with bread either; rather, they get their crunch from a light coating of crushed corn flakes.
Get the recipe: Ted Allen's Crab Cakes
Grilled Calamari with Minted Red Pepper
Here's a guiltless way to enjoy a classic seaside food that's usually battered and fried: grilled over high heat, served with roasted red peppers mixed with fresh mint.
Get the recipe: Grilled Calamari with Minted Red Pepper
Cold Poached Salmon with Creamy Dill and Fig Sauce
Figs, cranberry juice, a touch of sour cream and dill make a savory sauce for poached salmon in this easy make-ahead dish.
Get the recipe: Cold Poached Salmon with Creamy Dill and Fig Sauce
Mahimahi with Garlic-Yogurt Potatoes and Almond-Orange Pesto
Garlic-yogurt mashed potatoes and almond-orange pesto accompany a juicy fillet of paprika-and-coriander-marinated, grilled mahimahi.
Get the recipe: Mahimahi with Garlic-Yogurt Potatoes and Almond-Orange Pesto
Portuguese-Style Mussels
A little bit of chorizo (about an eighth of a pound per serving) imparts a smoky flavor to this dish, which also includes paprika, coriander, fennel seed and fresh kale.
Get the recipe: Portuguese-Style Mussels
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How to choose healthy, eco-friendly seafood
Published 01/13/2012
