I am thrilled today, the second Friday in Lent, to launch SeaPak’s all new guest blogger program, appropriately titled, “The Coastal Dish.” Each month, I’ll be hosting a SeaPak friend or blogger from some of the most popular food sites out there.  It will give you all a chance to see some of the blogs I follow and provide you with even more deliciously easy seafood tips and recipes.

I can’t think of a better way to kick off “The Coastal Dish” than with my my good friend at FunnySpoon, who just happens to blog from right here on St. Simons Island.   FunnySpoon is an incredibly cool food site that can help you get a meal on the table when you are short on time and inspiration.  I love FunnySpoon because it is perfect for people who want great simple meals but don’t have the time for scratch cooking.    It is easy to navigate, the recipes are simple and reliable, and isn’t the name fun??

So, today, let’s welcome Carrie of FunnySpoon, and see what she has to say about our favorite topic – seafood! And, make sure you check out the FunnySpoon website and blog for more wholesome, quick and easy recipe ideas.

-Jenna

My family loves seafood! I feel fortunate because I know all the health benefits of seafood (those fantastic Omega 3’s that help with a healthy heart, lower blood pressure, brain & eye development in children, etc). Lucky for me, I don’t have to coerce them into eating the good stuff! However, as a working mother of two with a traveling husband, it’s not always easy for me to get a healthy nutritious dinner on the table. That is until SeaPak came into my life. Now, regardless of if I’ve planned ahead or not, I know I can quickly pull together a fantastic, heart-healthy dinner that my children will love and my husband will devour. I keep a couple of SeaPak products in my freezer at all times – pair those with some of the staples in the pantry and voila dinner is served!

Celebrate TGIF(ish) with this Mexican Scampi. It’s a fun twist on an old favorite that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

-Carrie, FunnySpoon.com

Mexican Scampi

Prep Time: 5 mins  Cook Time: 20 mins   Serves: 2-4

• 1 package SeaPak® Shrimp Scampi
• 1 can Hunt’s Fire Roasted Tomatoes
• 1 5 oz. package of Mahatma Saffron Yellow Rice
• 1 palmful of cumin (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1 handful of fresh cilantro (or a palmful of dried cilantro)
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

BOIL water and oil for rice. Add rice & prepare according to package directions.

PREHEAT skillet on medium high-heat and add shrimp. Prepare according to package directions.

ADD tomatoes and cumin after about 5 minutes of cooking. Add cilantro with about 1 minute left to cook.

PLATE rice, top with scampi mixture and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

SERVE alongside a salad, garlic green beans or broccoli. And a margarita for you! Enjoy!!

Cook’s Note:

Don’t like Saffron rice? This would be great served over pasta, too. I like to use the Barilla protein-enriched pasta just to be super-double-triple sure the kids are getting enough of the good stuff!

Let us know what you think about this recipe and any twists you’ve added to it. Bon Appetit!

Last week we did TGI Fish, so this week it is all about the shrimp.  I wanted a simple all family recipe for this Friday.  I couldn’t think of anything with more all family appeal than macaroni and cheese with popcorn shrimp!  I love this recipe because it is a deliciously simple way to get kids to eat more seafood. I just added some shrimp to something they all ready love!

The simple way to make this dish is bake some popcorn shrimp while making a box of macaroni and cheese.  Scoop macaroni and cheese onto plate and top with popcorn shrimp. However I like to dress it up a bit.  After I make the macaroni and cheese I put it into little individual baking dishes (which double as serving dishes), top with shredded cheddar cheese then melt it under the broiler before adding the shrimp and serving. Sometimes I even substitute butterfly shrimp for the popcorn shrimp.  I like to cut the tails off the butterfly shrimp before adding them to the top of the mac and cheese.   

My nieces like it when I serve this dish with ketchup.  Of course they like everything served with ketchup!  The gourmet in me just couldn’t bring myself to add “ketchup” as an optional ingredient to this recipe so I will leave any additional “toppings” to your discretion.

All you need to round out this dinner is a serving or two of fruits and vegetables.  I am planning on serving this with steamed broccoli and fresh baby carrots with ranch dressing.  Voila!  Another delicious seafood meal your family will love!  And the best part is it is ready in under 20 minutes!  So what are you making for dinner?

Popcorn Shrimp Mac N’ Cheese

Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook Time: 10 minutes  Makes: 4-6 servings

• 1 package (20 oz) SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp or SeaPak® Shrimp Poppers
• 1 package macaroni and cheese
• milk and butter (if needed to prepare macaroni and cheese)
• shredded Cheddar or cheese of your choice

PREPARE the shrimp and macaroni and cheese according to package instructions

POUR macaroni into a serving dish, top with hot shrimp.

OPTIONAL PREPARATION

SPOON finished macaroni to small single serve baking dishes, top with shredded cheese and broil for 2 minutes.

TOP with hot shrimp and serve.

Whether you are observing the season of Lent by giving up meat on Fridays or just in the mood for some delicious seafood to start the weekend off right,  I say we kick off the season with a loud “TGIF!”….that is “TGI Fish “ of course!  

For this Friday I have a recipe that is as simple as it is delicious – Tilapia Lettuce Wraps.  You can think of these as an updated version of the fish sandwich.  I have done away with the bun and replaced it with crunchy fresh lettuce leaves then added a few simple vegetables.  I love this recipe because it is ready from start to finish in about 20 minutes.

And if tilapia isn’t your favorite seafood food you could easily replace the tilapia with some oven crunchy SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp (cut the tails off before adding them to the lettuce wraps) and have an equally delicious meal.  Happy feasting!

Tilapia Lettuce Wraps

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 18 minutes Makes: 6-7 lettuce wraps

• 1 (14 oz.) package SeaPak® Tilapia Tenders
• 6-7 large large lettuce leaves (iceberg, butter or bibb)
• 1/2 cup seedless cucumber, cut into thin, 1-inch strips
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 3 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup prepared ranch dressing

PREHEAT oven to 425˚F.

PLACE the frozen tilapia tenders on a baking sheet and bake according to the package instructions.

PLACE one tender on each leaf of lettuce.

ADD sliced cucumber, diced onion, cilantro and ranch dressing.

WRAP and enjoy!