Day 11 - March 4, 2015 - Marinated Mixed Seafood - Ξυδάτη Σαλάτα με Θαλλασινά

Certain types of seafood are acceptable during Great Lent, since there is no blood in these species.  Mussels, Shrimp, Oysters, Squid, Octopus, and Clams are good as individual dishes, but when they are combined into one mix, they are "pentanostimo!" dish (literally translated as "5 times tasty", a common expression by Greeks when describing a very tasty food).

 In many grocery stores, in the frozen seafood section, there are the packages of mixed seafood.  The one we used, we bought at Costco, and the mix contained squid, shrimp, mussels, and clams.  That was a nice combination for this dish.  These mixes are rather inexpensive and give the variety of seafood that may just be the answer to the question, "What's for dinner?"  Using one of these pre-fabricated mixes makes the process easier than shucking shellfish and faster!

We decided to make a marinated seafood, which we pass by in the market aisles.  We look at the jars with small pieces of seafood and some morsels of vegetables, and then, we consider the price of $12.49 for 500 ml, we think that is too expensive for something that we can make for under $6.00.  So, we spent the time to make our version of marinated seafood.

For this recipe, you will need the following: 

1 bag Seafood Mix (Medley) - we used approximately 3 lbs (approximately 1.4 kg)

2 carrots

2 stalks celery

2 TBSP capers

1 lemon, juiced

1/2 cup oil

1 cup vinegar (red wine or white)

1 TBSP oregano, more or less to taste

1 TBSP salt
pepper to taste

Chop the celery and carrots to a small dice.  The pieces should be about the same size as the seafood pieces, or, if needed, smaller.  In a pot of boiling water, blanch the vegetables.  This means that you have the pot of boiling water ready, put the vegetables in a strainer or sieve, and submerge the strainer into the boiling water.  Allow the vegetables to boil for about 2 minutes, to take the hard crunch off.  Then,  since the vegetables are already in a strainer, they are easy to remove from the boiling water.  Drain the vegetables and put them in a bowl of ice to stop the cooking process.  We blanched the celery  and carrots separately because they take different amounts of time to cook (carrots take longer).  Then, drain the ice water and put the vegetables in a bowl.

Now, it is time to prepare the seafood.

Using a steamer basket or a tall colander that fully fits inside a pot, boil some water in a pot for the seafood.  Some seafood mixes are pre-cooked, ours was not.  Therefore, we have to steam or boil the mix before marinating.  We used a steamer basket in a large pot, which made it easy to take the seafood out of the boiling water.  While the seafood is cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, that is enough time to make the marinade.  You want to add the hot seafood to the cool marinade.

Mix together the oil, vinegar, salt, oregano, and pepper.  Then, add the capers and adjust seasonings as you need to.  Mix this well, and add the hot seafood to this mixture.  Give the seafood a mix so it is all coated with the liquid.  Then, add the cooked carrots and celery.  Mix so that all the components are well combines and fully coated with the marinade.

Allow this to cool to room temperature.  We chose to put ours in a Mason jar to keep in the fridge for a few days. Afterwards, we refrigerated the jar to cool it. We also had remaining seafood mixture which we served directly from the mixing bowl.  Enjoy yours a a "toursi" (marinated/pickled food), on top of a bed of lettuce, or with some fresh bread.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:8-10