Hot Smoked
Hot smoking, or ""kippering"", refers to the smoking process during which the internal core temperature of the seafood reaches 145 degrees of more for a specific period of time. Hot smoked seafood is generally flaky and doesn't slice well (fine with us , as we like big chucks of smoked fish!). It's got a burnished, golden exterior and is always a beautiful hors d'oeuvre. One of the greatest dishes to serve during summer is smoked seafood. For a light yet delicious meal, consider an appetizer of smoked oysters to start. These tasty treats can be bought in most markets as well as chosen farms that specially breed them to sell. If you are lucky enough to live by a port or in a town near the ocean, you will probably find oysters easily. Some may need to venture further away, but the trip will be worth your while!
Summertime is probably the best time of the year to enjoy a smoked seafood treat, but there is no reason why you can't spoil yourself year round. Even in the fall or winter, smoked seafood will still add an exotic and mysterious flare to any social event or gathering.
Smoked seafood also includes clams, smoked scallops and mussels. Farm-raised cultured mussels are fresh and readily available. Wild varieties are equally delicious. Clams are a very popular addition to pasta dishes. Hard clams, also called quahogs, live in sandy coves and can be caught when the tide is low. A great dish to enjoy with butter and garlic is stuffed quahogs. And, of course, there is always clam chowder!
Scallops require very little preparation and are meatier than clams. Sea scallops are delightfully large, though must be shucked (removed from their shells) almost immediately after capture to ensure they don't lose moisture and die. It is important not to overcook smoked scallops, or you will end up with a chewy, inedible food.
Mussels come with blue-black shells and brown hairs called byssal threads attached to their shell. Their meat is usually an orange color and they are full of protein. As with clams, mussels taste great smoked and should remain encased in their shell while cooking.
Other smoked seafood includes smoked crab and smoked shrimp. Crab is maybe the most popular shellfish and is widely bought and eaten. The crabbing industry is a multi-million dollar one. While eating crab can be messy and often difficult, special tools have been created to make cracking crab easier. Once you get down to the meaty goodness of crab legs, you will want to make this smoked seafood part of your everyday diet!
Shrimp can be added to any meal and is a great variation in burritos, tacos, pasta dishes and more. Smoked shrimp spices up stews and soups. It adds a Cajun flavor to classic Creole dishes such as Jambalaya and gumbo. Whatever way you choose to serve, it, shrimp cooked in this manner will make any meal one to remember.
Smoked seafood is a treat that everyone should get the chance to enjoy. If someone you know has not had the opportunity to enjoy this tasty and delicious way to enjoy seafood, then take it upon yourself to share this experience with them.
