Grilled Seafood Recipes

Fish is one of the healthiest foods in existence and a valuable part of a low fat and low calorie lifestyle. There are more than 20,000 species to choose from, so there is bound to be something to like. Grilled seafood recipes make for tasty meals, especially if cooked on an outdoors grill. Summer barbecues don't have to involve burgers and sausages. The aroma of fish cooked over hot coals cannot be beaten.

Fish can be wrapped in aluminum foil or the low tech way in banana or grape leaves. Prawns, shrimp, oysters and scallops all benefit from grilling and herbs and marinades help to enhance the flavor. Plank Grilling is an option. A traditional method in the Pacific Northwest, it involves racks of wooden planks, preferably untreated cedar, alder, maple or hickory. The result is a wonderful smoky flavor; Western Alder is particular good with salmon and other delicate fish. It's fun to experiment with grilled seafood recipes but there are some books on the market, written by experts on the subject.

Fish and Shellfish, Grilled and Smoked is by Karen Adler and Judith M. Fertig. The book contains 300 grilled seafood recipes including marinades, sauces, rubs and side dishes. There are sections on Fish Facts, the history of recipes and a list of fresh fish suppliers.

Fish: Grilled and Smoked by John Manikowski is a collection of 150 recipes suitable for cooking on the backyard grill, by the stream where the fish has been caught, and in the home smoker. The author brings his knowledge to bear from his career as a master fisherman and as a chef. He lists which species benefit most from smoking, a list that includes herring, chub, and lake trout. Manikowski has developed his own smoking method called soft smoke, which uses dried corn to bring out the sweetness of the grilled seafood recipe and it's suitable for any outdoor grill. The book also contains ideas for side dishes, sauces, salsas and desserts. There is also a section on which wine or beer is the best accompaniment to the recipe.

Preparing fish and shellfish dishes need not be time consuming. Ask the local fishmonger to bone the fish and select the fillets. Most grilled seafood recipes are quick and easy to follow. Marinades can be made in advance to save time. Fish is a popular option at barbecue get togethers and is a perfect choice for pescetarians (people who don't eat meat but do eat fish).

Grilled Bass is delicious when prepared with red onion, green onion, white or lemon pepper paprika and almonds. Grill 'Em Florida Soft Shell Blue Crabs is a delicacy, enhanced by the nutmeg, parsley, hot pepper sauce, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Grilled Fish in Foil works with most fish. A blend of lemon juice, parsley, dill weed, paprika and onion is poured over the fish and then the fish is wrapped tightly in the foil.