Of course, you can serve a big slice of meat as a centerpiece this holiday season, but why not switch things up and serve seafood? Fish makes a stellar main dish as it is super filling thanks to its high protein content and very versatile for cooking. And that is what the Feast of the Seven Fishes—a seafood-centric dinner which takes place on December 24 — is all about.
“The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American tradition of serving seven unique seafood dishes on Christmas Eve while abstaining from meat,” says Ari Lang, chef and blogger at Well seasoned studio. “I’ve also heard of family feasts that only include one or two main courses. However, they feature multiple fish or shellfish per course.”
So how did this tradition come about? Abstaining from meat and dairy products on the eve of certain holidays is a classic Roman Catholic custom, and eating fish on Christmas Eve began in the early 1900s, according to Eataly. So why are there seven fish involved rather than, say, five or six? The number seven is very common in Catholicism – think: seven sacraments, seven days of creation and seven deadly sins.
Even if you didn’t grow up celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes, the idea of a seafood-centric meal is one to remember. Fish can be a wonderful source of lean, anti-inflammatory protein Omega 3and many vitamins and minerals, including zinc which supports the immune system, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Yet cooking seven fish dishes as a crowd can seem overwhelming if you don’t plan ahead. And when it comes to preparing a hearty meal, there are a few things to keep in mind, says Lang:
- The preparation and cooking time of each dish.
- Whether the food can be served cold, at room temperature or hot. “Include a variety of dishes that can be made ahead, such as marinated seafood salad or crudo, which frees up your time to finish any hot dish, such as grilled or roasted fish, soup maybe, and of course pasta,” says Lang.
- The weight of each course. “If I’m sitting down to a multi-course meal, the last thing I want is to be satiated by the second course,” Lang points out.
Still trying to figure out where to start? These delicious fish recipes are sure to please. Try serving them with some of them 18 Healthiest Vegetable Side Dishes.
Liz Weiss, Dt.P.and cookbook author, shares her wholesome take on the viral butter board.
“Instead of stacking your board with butter, use whipped light cream cheese, which spreads more easily than traditional cream cheese, says Weiss. “Then top it with smoked Norwegian salmon, slices of tomatoes (grapes or cherries), capers, fresh dill and slices of red onion and garnish with fresh lemon wedges.”
Serve with bagel chips or crunchy English cucumber slices.
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This savory spaghetti recipe is adapted from Anthony Bourdain’s latest cookbook. So not only do you know this will knock your socks off, but it also only takes about 20 minutes to make. You’ll cook brined anchovies and aromatic garlic until they turn into a rich sauce. Add a sprig of fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano around the dish.
Get the recipe from Simple Tasty.
This easy seafood salad combines imitation crabmeat and folded shrimp with a creamy dill and old berry sauce. You’ll want to make a really big batch, because this seafood salad makes great leftovers: just stuff it into a baguette or lay it on a bed of greens for a high-protein lunch the next day.
Get the recipe from Dinner at the zoo.
Your guests will feel like they’ve been transported to a cozy Maine beach town with every spoonful of this comforting chowder. White wine, heavy cream and homemade fish stock form the savory base of this hearty soup, and it’s sprinkled with tilapia, parsnips and sweet-tasting potatoes. You’ll usually serve the chowder with a side of crusty Italian bread, but you’ll want to skip the toast on Christmas Eve, so your guests have more room for the next course.
Get the recipe from Sweet Phi.
Combine red snapper with kalamata olives, blistered cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes for an appetizing, zesty and flavorful meal. If you can’t find red snapper at your local grocery store, feel free to substitute orange roughy or tilapia. While this fish dish is sure to impress your guests, you’ll be happy to know that it all comes together in just 20 minutes and requires a few simple ingredients that you probably have on hand.
Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil.
Cooking fish en papillote or in a parchment paper bag gives it rich flavors. Plus, it makes cleaning super easy. (Isn’t that a major benefit when you’re cooking up seven different recipes?) This handy recipe calls for a firm white fish, like cod or snapper, and it’s infused with a delicious shallot butter sauce along with spicy fennel and tasty fresh produce. herbs.
Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil.
What’s an Italian-inspired feast without a big bowl of seafood pasta? This spaghetti recipe features a mixture of shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops tossed in a tomato garlic sauce. While nothing beats making your own marinara, you can definitely use your go-to spaghetti in jar sauce to save time.
Get the recipe from Dinner at the zoo.
Making a Parmesan crust for a delicate-tasting white fish like tilapia adds mouth-watering taste and texture. This simple coated fish is prepared with umami-rich parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and smoked paprika before being baked in the oven until tender and flaky.
Get the recipe from Real food by dad.
source : https://folobooks.com/
