There are many different types of seafood, all of which can satisfy people who have a distinguished palette. Fish, from the ocean tend to have a less fishy flavor then do fresh water fish. This factor is what makes them appeal to many people. The most versatile types of food are shellfish, such as clams, oysters, lobster, crab and shrimp.

Seafood cuisine is a very popular cuisine in the United States as well as throughout the world. It can make a great addition to any dish and can be prepared many different ways.

Seafood that is alternative to steak?

There are even specific fish that appeal to people who don’t have a particular liking for seafood. Mahi-mahi found in major tropical and sub-tropical oceans can be prepared many ways.

It has been stated by many people to satisfy their cravings for high fat, rich red meats like steak. It has a very dense texture, which can be filling. Yet it has much less fat and less saturated fat then steak.

This makes it a very healthy alternative that is highly sustainable and an ideal choice for people who want a hearty meal.

Southern Seafood Cuisine

Many dishes from the south incorporate seafood into their style of cuisine. Many southern dishes incorporate crawfish, clams, oysters and shrimp into their main dishes. Cajun seasonings, hot peppers such as cayenne peppers can add a spicy dimension of flavor.

High End Seafood

Lobster is the most expensive type of seafood on the market and there is good reason for this. The longer it takes to get the desired food to your table through a complex supply food chain, the more expensive it will be.

Another thing that affects the cost is the when demand is high. Therefore the more popular this delicious crustacean becomes the more expensive it will be.

Fried versus grilled or sauteed shrimp

If you enjoy eating shrimp there really is no wrong way of preparing it. Fried coconut shrimp combines two complimentary flavors of seafood and sweetness. This gives the shrimp the ability to satisfy a number of different cravings.

Grilled shrimp or sauteed shrimp are healthy alternatives and can be cooked with olive oil or butter. Lemon can also be added to give shrimp a nice citrus undertone, which also tames down the fishy flavor.

Why certain seafood is less expensive?

When certain seafood is produced in mass, like tuna the price greatly decreases. The reason for this is because of its availability to people from all over the world.

There are even different brands of tuna that is canned. Therefore, not only is it extremely convenient, but it is an ideal snack or meal that can prepared in minutes.

Most of the canned tuna is albacore, which is a white meat. It is not considered to be high end, like the blue fin tuna that is known for its dark meat and found in Japanese cuisine.

Now that you know a little bit more about seafood and the different variations you can try many of the diverse seafood dishes available. If you prefer preparing fresh seafood dishes at home by adding your own person seasonings this is a great food type to experiment with. When dining out at a restaurant, then by all means try seafood, which is an excellent alternative to red meat.

Barcelona has many markets with extremely fresh produce and with the extensive range of self-catering accommodation in the city, such as tourist apartments, it0s great fun to pick up some local produce and make a meal in, or prepare a barbeque on your terrace. Gone are the days of worrying about properly cooked fish, or seafood which might disagree with you – Barcelona’s fishmongers are the happiest in recommending different ways to prepare your catch of the day, and personally, I have learned many techniques of different ways to prepare fish and seafood from many friendly fishmongers. The famous Boqueria market on the central Las Ramblas street is a great stop to view different types of seafood and fish, but the Barceloneta and Sant Antoni markets are equally central, stocking the same produce and are often less crowded. Whether it’s ingredients for Paella, a Peruvian cebiche or fresh sardines for the barbeque – head down to the markets early and stock up on the catch of the day.

If you prefer to be waited upon, then you’re spoilt for choice in Barcelona. With so many seafood restaurants to choose from, and every city guide book often choosing different ones, I’ll try and recommend a few of my own experiences and some of the un-missable spots, too.

The old fisherman’s quarters of La Barceloneta lie right next to the beach and those narrow streets have some of the oldest and most established restaurants serving the freshest fish and seafood to this day. So when the new red-brick building which now houses the Catalan History Museum was commissioned, there was to be space underneath for the select few restaurants from Barceloneta to choose their spot. In a nutshell, the best places in the old fisherman’s neighbourhood were given their choice of restaurant space. Now, since then, in my opinion, some of those restaurants have let their standards slide a little, given the fact that they will easily fill tables on their terraces on a summer’s day due to the prime location. This is all apart from one – El Merendero de la Mari – which has maintained the best standards since “Mari” used to make the broth for the Paella and those Mariner’s mussels. For me, they just have got everything right, from the waiters and the crockery and cutlery (sounds stupid, I know, and I’m no restaurant critic, but things like that stick in your mind!) to the wine and the speed of service.

Just along the way from El Merendero, and of a completely different ilk, is El Rey de la Gamba. Here it’s a much more modest place, with paper napkins, waiters who shout the orders back to the kitchen, and the like, but it’s always busy, and they have a great turnover of the fish, so it’s always fresh. The biggest reason for me including this place as well, is that the portions are huge! Often we have gone in a group of four and ordered a seafood platter and Paella for two – and had plenty of leftovers for a doggy bag, too!