When you go to a beach getaway, one of the things you particularly enjoy, especially if you are a foodie, has to be the fresh seafood! And when you are back home, you often crave those same flavours. Given the modern world we are living in, getting your hands on ingredients is much easier, especially when you have places like Waangoo to get all your essentials from, there is still the task of knowing how to prep and cook.

Seafood has always been a staple of coastal cuisines around the world, but not everyone will know how to choose, prepare and execute the recipes. However, with the right tips and recipes, you can elevate your seafood dishes and enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home.

Seafood cooking tips start with the right seafood

The foundation of any great seafood dish starts with fresh, high-quality ingredients; but a lot of people are not aware of how to choose seafood. Here are some tips that you can keep in mind:

1. Fish: Start by looking at the eyes; they should be bright and clear eyes and the skin should be shiny and firm. Fresh fish should have a clean ocean smell; if you can smell that overly fishy smell, the fish might not be as fresh.
2. Shellfish: For live shellfish like clams, mussels, and oysters, ensure the shells are tightly closed or close when you tap them. Discard any that remain open, because this is a sign of the shellfish having gone bad.
3. Crustaceans: Lobsters and crabs should be lively and active if purchased live, but in case you are buying pre-cooked, ensure the shells are vibrant and the meat smells sweet.
4. Frozen seafood: Opt for vacuum-sealed packaging without signs of freezer burn. Properly frozen seafood retains much of its quality and flavour and there is the convenience of it being pre-cleaned and ready to use as well.

When you choose to indulge in online grocery shopping in Singapore, especially at Waangoo, you can be sure that you will get best quality seafood, delivered, right to your doorstep.

Tips and tricks for cooking seafood the right way

Mastering seafood requires understanding its delicate nature and by following proper techniques, you can be confident that your seafood dishes will come out with perfection.

Here are the main points to keep in mind, while you are getting ready to do some seafood cooking:

·         Seafood is normally very tender, which means that it can cook really quickly and it can overcook even faster. When seafood is overcooked, it can become rubbery or dry. A general rule of thumb is 10 minutes of cooking time per inch of thickness.

·         Seafood has an abundance on natural sea or oceanic flavours and when you are cooking it, you should let the natural flavours shine! A sprinkle of salt, a squeeze of lemon, and a drizzle of olive oil are often more than what you need.

·         In general, there is a process of marination when it comes to meat and while there is nothing wrong with marinating seafood, you need to remember that acidic marinades (like lemon juice or vinegar) can "cook" seafood if left too long. Marinate fish for no more than 30 minutes, unless you are preparing something like ceviche.

·         If you are cooking fish fillets, a hot pan can help create a crispy skin and lock in the moisture, giving you that flaky fish that you want.

Now, there are many ways to check if the seafood is ready – fish flakes away easily when a fork is used, meats of all kinds will turn opaque or the internal temperature of the seafood should have reached 145°F or about 63°C.

Fresh seafood recipes for you to try out! 

Now that you have ordered your fresh seafood from Waangoo, we can give you some ideas on how you can actually whip up some delicious recipes. Here are some fresh seafood recipes with the variety of options you can shop for at our online store:

·         Pan-seared salmon with dill sauce – With high quality salmon fillets, you can prepare this dish, which is great for a weekday dinner or a sit-down lunch with friends. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper and in the meantime, heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the salmon flakes easily. In a small bowl, mix sour cream, dill, mustard and lemon juice and serve the salmon with the dill sauce on top or on the side.

·         Crispy fish tacos – Any thick white fleshed fish will work a treat for this recipe and there is not much to do for it. You need to cut the fish into bite sized pieces, which you will dunk into a batter. For that, you need to combine all-purpose flour, salt, paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder. You can use soda water, cold water or even beer to form the batter, making sure there are no lumps. Now, heat a neutral oil and fry the battered pieces of fish in the oil, till they are golden brown. Feel free to customise your tacos the way you like – slaw, sauces or simply with a squeeze of lime!

·         Grilled lemon garlic shrimp - In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and this is the marinade for your shrimp. You can choose the size of the shrimp and remember to clean and devein it. Add shrimp to the marinade and toss well to coat and leave aside for 15 to 20 minutes. In the meantime, you can preheat your grill to a medium high heat or you can use a cast iron skillet as well. If you are grilling, you can skewer the shrimp or if you are using a pan, you can lay it out flat. Wait till the shrimp turns pink and opaque and then garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.

Cooking seafood at home can be a rewarding experience and when you can get all the ingredients delivered to your door, you can enjoy the flavours of the ocean on your dining table!