5 examples of must-have seafood for your menu

If you're looking for a way to satisfy all sorts of restaurant demographics - from keen gastronomes to pescatarians to the family audience - offering a wide range of seafood options is an excellent way to do it.

Seafood is a phenomenally diverse food group, encompassing a vast array of ingredients, delicacies and recipe options that can help you cater to all tastes and requirements.

Here are five particular types of seafood that will never go out of fashion:

Shrimp

The popularity and appeal of shrimp is emphasized by the fact that it's the most widely served seafood in the United States, according to World Atlas.

This delicious crustacean carries a lot of nutritional value, since it's particularly high in calcium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and iodine.

It's also hugely versatile, giving plenty of scope for experimentation and innovation in your cooking. Some of the most common and popular ways to use this seafood include combining it with a rich, tasty sauce in a shrimp cocktail, or throwing it in with onion, celery, peppers, garlic, tomato and cayenne pepper for a delicious gumbo.

Tuna

Tuna arguably has a broader appeal than any other type of seafood, often proving just as attractive to youngsters and unadventurous diners as it does to food lovers who are willing to try anything and everything.

There are countless ways you can incorporate tuna into your menu, regardless of whether you want to be adventurous or play it safe. Tuna pasta bake is always likely to go down well with the family market, while tuna salads will appeal to healthy eaters.

Salmon

Another reliable menu option - although slightly more refined and expensive than tuna - salmon can be prepared and served in a variety of ways. Smoking, baking and frying are all great ways to cook this fish and get maximum benefit out of its powerful natural flavor.

If you're interested in adding some Asian influences to your menu, salmon is a highly popular sushi ingredient and can also be served teriyaki-style, with sweet chili sauce, honey, sesame oil, soy and noodles.

Alternatively, you could smoke the fish and serve it on a bed of lemon risotto, or go for the simple option of pan-fried salmon with green vegetables.

Lobster

Lobster is a food that is often associated with decadence and luxury, but that doesn't mean it has to be exclusive. It can be a fantastic addition to your menu if you want to offer something special for gastronomes and adventurous eaters.

This beautiful crustacean has a flavor that lies somewhere between shrimp and crab, being slightly meatier than the former and sweeter than the latter.

Usually boiled or steamed, lobster can be served with a sumptuous thermidor sauce enriched with butter, shallots, white wine, cream, mustard and parsley. Its meat can also be used in soups - particularly the French favorite bisque - as well as various other dishes.

Crab

Crab meat is a wonderful thing for many reasons - most notably its delicately sweet flavor, beautiful aroma and flaky texture. What's more, it's low in fat and high in protein.

If you would like to introduce your diners to the wide range of ways they can enjoy crab, why not start by combining the meat with pasta in a crab ravioli or lasagna?

For something slightly more adventurous, try a Sri Lankan-style crab curry or crab fritters with chili and mayonnaise.
 
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