You know of Christmas Eve’s Feast of the Seven Fishes, so why not feast on all seven at once? This tomato-based soup has a little something for everybody.
For many families Christmas Eve is about the Feast of the Seven Fishes before heading out to Midnight Mass. Here is an easy crab pasta recipe that will fit in nicely into your Christmas Eve dinner.
Tagliatelle With Seafood
Growing up my family never ate meat on Christmas Eve. We always had oyster stew, which, I have to admit; I didn’t appreciate until I got older. My husband is Italian and we are both Catholic so we continue the no meat Christmas Eve tradition before heading off to midnight mass. As you may remember I just returned from my culinary travels to Europe where I was able to make pasta with an amazing Roman chef. I thought that this year I might make Tagliatelle With Seafood for our Christmas Eve dinner. It’s really wonderful and is a somewhat lighter dish then what you’ll probably be eating on Christmas Day. This could also be one of your “Feast of the Seven Dishes” dishes if you are of Italian decent.
INGREDIENTS
12 Ounces Mussels In The Shell
12 Ounces Clams
12 Ounces Cleaned Squid
12 Ounces Cuttlefish
12 Ounces Shrimp Tails
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
4 Cloves Finely Chopped Garlic
3 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Pound Tagliatelle
Soak the mussels and clams in a large bowl of cold water for 1 hour changing the water often. Chop the squid and cuttlefish bodies into rounds and the tentacles into short pieces. Do not peel the shrimp tails. Pour 3 tablespoons of the olive oil into a large sauté pan. Add the mussels and clams and cook over a medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until they have all opened up. Heat the remaining oil in a large sauté pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and parsley and sauté for 3 minutes until the garlic is pale gold. Add the squid and cuttlefish. Add kosher salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute and then add the wine. Simmer over a low heat for 45 minutes until squid and cuttlefish are tender. Add shrimp tails, clams, and mussels and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until seafood is cooked. If you prefer take out the mussels and clams from their shells, leaving just a few in the shell to make the finished dish look more attractive. Meanwhile, cook the tagliatelle in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and add to the pan with the seafood sauce. Toss well and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot. Serves 4
Blackened Swordfish
Swordfish is one of my favorite types of fish to eat. I typically eat swordfish once or twice a month. Sometimes I like to change it up and eat it blackened. It’s easy to prepare this way and absolutely delicious.
INGREDIENTS
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
2 Teaspoons Paprika
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
1 Teaspoon Cayenne Powder
2 Teaspoons Dried Thyme
2 Teaspoons Dried Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
4 Swordfish Steaks (About 1 1/2 Pounds)
6 Tablespoons Melted Butter
In A small size bowl, combine all of the spices, herbs and seasonings. Brush both sides of the steaks with some of the melted butter. Coat both sides of the steaks with the seasoning mixture, rubbing it in well. Heat a large heavy skillet for 5 minutes until a drop of water sprinkled on the surface sizzles. Drizzle 2 teaspoons of the remaining butter over the steaks. Add the steaks to the skillet, butter side down and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the underside is blackened. Drizzle the remaining melted butter over the steaks and then turn the steaks over. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until the second side is blackened and the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove from the heat and transfer the swordfish steaks to warmed plates or a serving platter. May be served over caramelized onions and topped with salad garnish. Serves 4
Littleneck Clams With Pancetta
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a December 24th Italian tradition that is about serving an abundant amount of seafood. Serving 7 types of seafood is the custom which is hard to resist if you have a delicious recipe as this one.
INGREDIENTS
4 Slices Day Old Country Bread
3 Ounces Diced Pancetta
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Chopped Garlic Cloves
1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Oregano
26 Littleneck Clams
Reserved Clam Juice
Lemon Wedges
Preheat your oven to 475º F. Place large pieces of torn bread into a food processor or blender. Pulse until you have fine crumbs and then set aside. Place a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes until lightly browned. Stir frequently. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the bread crumbs, oregano and ¼ cup of the reserved clam juice. Remove from the heat. On a large baking sheet place each shucked and on the half shell clam. Top each clam with the bread crumb mixture and press down lightly. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and place in the oven for 12 minutes. You will want the clams to be browned and crisped on top. Serve with the lemon wedges. Serve 4
Steamed Mussels With Indian Spices
Are you thinking about what to serve for Christmas Eve dinner? It’s traditional to eat some kind of seafood dish. I grew up eating oyster stew for Christmas Eve dinner and only appreciated it years later. If you are a fan of mussels here is a nice dish to serve your friends and family. Did I mention that it is ridiculously easy to make?
INGREDIENTS
2 Chopped Onions
4 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Ginger
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 1/2 Teaspoons Curry Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
30 Ounces Diced Tomatoes With Juice
1 Cup Water
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
2 Cups Frozen Baby Peas
1/2 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
3 Pounds Mussels
This is a quick one pot dish so make sure that you have all of your ingredients out. You can buy garam masala at most supermarkets or find the Indian spice mix online. Rinse and debeard the mussels. Set aside. Chop the onions and fresh ginger. In a large heavy pot add the olive oil and heat over a medium high heat. Add the onions and cook for 4 minutes. Add the ginger, curry powder and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juice and the water. Give a good stir. Add the garam masala, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Add the mussels and the baby peas to the pot. Cover the pot and cook for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large serving bowl. Throw away any of the mussels that didn’t open. Garnish the mussel dish with the chopped cilantro and serve immediately. Serves 4
Stuffed Baked Salmon
Salmon is such a wonderful fish that it’s nice to cook as often as you can. The addition of soy sauce and fresh ginger work very well with this salmon recipe.
INGREDIENTS
1 Whole 5 Pound Salmon
3/4 Cup Soy Sauce
20 Crushed Saltine Crackers
1/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
1/2 Cup Butter
10 Chopped Green Onions
2 Chopped Shallots
1/4 Cup Chopped Parsley
1 Teaspoon Tarragon
3 Lemons
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
4 Large Celery Stalks
4 Large Carrots
1 Sliced Onion
2 Slivered Pieces Fresh Ginger
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 Cup Dry White Wine
Preheat your oven to 450º F. Wash and dry the salmon. Generously cover the salmon with the soy sauce inside and out. In a medium size bowl combine the crushed crackers and bread crumbs. Set aside. In a medium size sauté pan melt the butter and sauté the green onions, shallots, garlic, parsley and tarragon for 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and add to the cracker mixture and combine well. Squeeze the lemon juice from the lemons into the cracker mixture. Add the salt and pepper as well. Don’t throw away the squeezed lemon halves. Place the whole celery stalks and carrots on the bottom of the baking pan. Place the onion slices on the bottom as well. Put the salmon on top of the carrots, celery and onion slices. Stuff the salmon with the cracker mixture. Put the ginger slivers inside of the salmon as well as on top and scattered around. Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the salmon and place the used lemon halves around the salmon. Pour the white wine into the bottom of the pan and place in the oven for 45 minutes. If you need to add more white wine half way through baking then go ahead and add more. You will want the salmon to be golden brown. Serves 4
Salmon & Vegetable Bake
Here is the perfect Sunday dinner dish. You won’t need to do much, but put everything in foil pouches, pop in the oven and go about your afternoon or evening. You can cook this dish in parchment paper if you choose to instead of foil.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Fresh Skinless Salmon (3/4 Inch Thick)
4 Sliced Carrots
2 Cups Sliced Mushrooms
5 Sliced Green Onions (Including Green Part)
2 Teaspoons Grated Orange Peel
2 Tablespoons Fresh Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Tarragon)
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
4 Halved Garlic Cloves
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Sliced Oranges
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into four serving size pieces and set aside. Fill a small saucepan with 2 cups of water. Place the sliced carrots in the saucepan boil for just 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside. Tear off four large pieces of heavy foil. The foil pieces should be about 24 inch by 18 inches. Fold each piece of foil in half to make an 18×12 inch piece. In a large size bowl combine the carrots, mushrooms, green onions,garlic, orange peel, herbs, kosher salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine. Divide the vegetables among the four pieces of foil. Make sure to place the vegetables in the center of each piece of foil. Drizzle each with olive oil and then top the salmon pieces. Place the orange slices on top of the salmon pieces. Seal the edges of the foil with a double fold. Place the foil packets in a large baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes. You will want the salmon to flake when you open a packet to check for doneness. Remove from the oven and open the packets carefully so that the steam will escape. Transfer the packets to each dinner plate. Serves 4
Herb Salmon
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Skinless Salmon Fillet Cut Into 4 Portions
1 Lemon
1 Tablespoon Dillweed
1 Tablespoon Lemon Thyme
1 Tablespoon Italian Parsley
½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
2 Tablespoons Softened Butter
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Rinse the fish and pat dry. Shred 1 teaspoon of the peel from the lemon and set aside. Juice half the lemon. In a small bowl combine the lemon peel, herbs, salt & pepper and butter. Stir to combine. Spread evenly on the salmon. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over a medium heat. Add the salmon, her side down. Turn the salmon. Pour the lemon juice over. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 5 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle with the pan juices. Top with the additional shredded lemon peel. Serves 4
Ginger Shrimp
INGREDIENTS
24 Shrimp With Shells On
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
4 Cloves Chopped Garlic
4 Tablespoons Julienned Fresh Ginger
1 Tablespoon Sugar
¼ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
¼ Cup Soy Sauce
¼ Cup Brandy
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over a high heat. Add the shrimp quickly and stir fry. When done remove the shrimp from the oil and set aside. Add the chopped garlic and julienned fresh ginger to the hot oil. Also add the sugar and salt to the wok. Add the shrimp back to the mixture and continue to stir fry. Season with the soy sauce. Add the brandy to flambé. Be very careful as the pan must be very hot in order for it to ignite and you are about to have a large flame coming out of your wok. Do not attempt to do this near any flammable materials or too close to your guests. Once the alcohol has cooked off the dish is ready to serve. You can serve this dish over rice, noodles or its own. Serves 2
