How to Cook Seafood Mix?

Seafood mixes offer a delightful array of flavors and textures, combining various delectable marine treasures from the ocean. At KnowSeafood, we provide natural seafood and ensure the best gets delivered to your door. Are you wondering how to cook seafood mix? 

Whether you have a special occasion or a quick weeknight dinner, you can improve your culinary repertoire by mastering the art of cooking and using fresh ingredients. 

In this guide, we’ll take you through instructions on preparing a blend of different seafood for a delightful culinary adventure!

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: javarman

How to Prepare a Seafood Mix

Buy fresh seafood.

That is what we do at KnowSeafood, and then we BLAST freeze it, as it is essential to choose the best supplier and ensure the marine treasures are fresh and ready for preparation. Hence, at KnowSeafood, we use innovative blockchain technology to offer natural seafood. 

The fruits of the sea are caught when they taste the best for a taste sensation that is hard to beat. They are blast-frozen and shipped by trusted harvesters that adhere to high standards and are traceable from harvesting until delivered to the customer’s door. 

We partner with artisanal fishermen and scientists to offer sustainable seafood as we value environmental protection and sustainability in the seafood industry. Our online seafood market offers a medley of oceanic flavors as a canvas for culinary creativity. Make your own KnowSeafood mix!

Defrosting

When learning how to prepare a blend of different seafood, it is necessary to get the hang of proper defrosting. Improper defrosting can affect the taste and texture of the product.

The refrigerator method

For our seafood, we recommend thawing seafood in the fridge overnight to preserve the quality of the seafood. Poke a hole in the packaging, or remove the package and put it on a plate, cover it, and leave it overnight to ensure perfectly thawed seafood while getting rid of the bacteria. 

This step provides a slow and even thawing process. 

Once thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for two to three days in the original packaging. However, don’t refreeze fish that has been thawed. 

For a more accurate description, take a look at our tutorial on properly defrosting seafood:

The water method

You can use the colander and place the sealed packaged seafood in a bowl of cold water to start the thawing process. Change the water’s temperature from time to time. After 30 minutes or an hour, depending on the portion of the seafood, it should be perfectly thawed.

The microwave method

Not preferred, but if you are in a hurry, you can use a defrost function on the microwave. However, ensure to avoid partial cooking. Puncture the plastic before you place it in the microwave. Once the packaging is in the microwave, use the defrost option and set the time according to the portion’s weight.

Cooking time

It doesn’t take much to overcook seafood. It cooks quickly, so less is more when preparing this type of food. Hence, keep a close eye on it to avoid rubbery rather than tender results. 

Generally, fish takes about 10 minutes per inch of thickness to cook through 450 °F (230 °C). Shellfish like shrimp and scallops usually cook in three to five minutes. Keep moisture in the meat when cooking fish, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and more. 

Fish should be cooked until it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork, while shellfish should turn pink and opaque. When cooking, ensure the seafood reaches a safe internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria or parasites. 

Cooking techniques

Grilling 

If you want exceptional flavors, you can cook our KnowSeafood mix on the grill. This technique is excellent for fish like salmon and tuna steaks. It gives it a nice sear and imparts a smokey flavor. For delicate seafood like shrimp, use a grilling basket. 

Grill until the mix is opaque and slightly charred. You can also separate the seafood and put it on skewers that you must soak in cold water to prevent burning. If wanted, pour marinade into a zip-lock bag and put the mix into the bag. Place the bag in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Separate the mixed seafood and grill them on both sides until ready. 

Pan-searing

Pan-searing is ideal for fish fillets and shellfish. To prepare the seafood, we recommend using a hot pan and a small amount of oil or butter for a quick and flavorful sear.

For our seafood mix, cook for a few minutes until it is opaque and firm. Pay attention to color and consistency to avoid overcooking. 

Boiling/Broiling

If you boil seafood, defrost it for about 24 hours before cooking. You can do so by placing it in a bowl and covering it with a plastic wrap. Rinse it in cold water and boil it in a sauce or water on medium heat.

After you boil the mix into boiling water, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a minute. Then, you can drain and rinse it. Broiling seafood is similar to grilling, but the heat source is above. This gives it a nice crust on the top. 

Baking

Baking is suitable for fillets and whole fish. This cooking technique allows for even cooking and can be paired with various seasonings, such as herbs and sauces. 

Steaming 

Steaming is a gentle method that works well with delicate fish and shellfish. This cooking method preserves the natural flavors and nutrients.

Poaching 

Poaching seafood mix includes submerging it in a barely simmering liquid (water/broth) until cooked. This technique keeps the seafood moist and tender. 

Seasoning and flavors

Ocean delicacies pair well with herbs, spices, citrus, and garlic. Some classic choices include lemon, parsley, and dill. That said, it is necessary to be careful when seasoning seafood. Strong seasonings can easily overpower the delicate flavors. 

Serving and enjoying

At KnowSeafood, we offer nutritious options rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Our all-natural and wild-caught seafood is versatile and can be prepared and served in many ways.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new recipes and cooking techniques. Keep in mind that practice makes it perfect, so the more you cook seafood, the better you will become at finding the recipes and techniques that work the best. If you lack inspiration, try one of our go-to easy recipes that will leave you wanting for more:

How to Create a Dish with Assorted Seafood

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Mironov Vladimir

Ingredients

Before you begin the cooking process, gather the necessary ingredients: 

- Seafood mix (shrimp, calamari, mussels, fish)

- 2 tablespoons of olive oil 

- 4 minced garlic cloves 

- 1 medium onion

- 1 sliced bell pepper 

- 1 can of diced tomatoes (14 oz)

- 1 teaspoon of paprika

- ½ cup of seafood broth 

- Fresh herbs (parsley, dill, cilantro)

- Salt and pepper 

- ½ cup of white wine (optional)

Preparation

Step 1 

Before cooking the seafood mix, ensure it is adequately thawed (if frozen). Rinse the frozen seafood under cold or tepid water to remove any excess ice or debris. Pat the seafood dry with paper towels to ensure they are evenly cooked. 

Step 2 

Next, heat the olive oil in a large pan or skillet on medium heat and add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and sliced bell pepper. Sauté them together until they become fragrant and the onions turn translucent.

Step 3

Add the tomatoes and pour the can of diced tomatoes. Stir the mixture well, and allow it to simmer for about five minutes so the flavors can meld together. 

If you use a white whine, add it in this step to add depth and complexity to the sauce. Let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes. 

Step 4

Pour the seafood broth and add paprika, salt and pepper. Stir the mix together to create a flavorful base for the seafood. 

Then, add the seafood mix to the pan and arrange it evenly in the sauce. At this step, cover the pan and let the mix cook for five to seven minutes. 

Step 5

Uncover the pan and check whether the seafood mix is ideally cooked. Remember, the fish should flake easily, the shrimp should turn pink, and the calamari should become tender. 

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the mix for a burst of color and flavor. You can adjust the mixture with seasonings if necessary and cook it in a sauce for better taste. Additionally, you can serve it with cooked rice, quinoa, or delectable sauce. 

Quick and Easy Seafood Recipes

Creamy Seafood Mix

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 1 pound of frozen seafood mix (thawed)

- ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper

- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic 

- ⅓ cup of heavy cream

- 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese

- 1 tablespoon of chopped dill

Instructions:

- Start by heating the large skillet on medium heat and add one tablespoon of butter

- Add one pound of seafood mix, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper

- Using a spoon, set aside the seafood mix for later

- In the pan, add the second portion of the butter

- After it melts, add two teaspoons of minced garlic and saute for a minute

- Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream 

- Let the mixture simmer, and add three tablespoons of Parmesan cheese

- Then, stir until the cheese melts, and add the seafood mix 

- Cook for a minute until the seafood heats in the sauce 

- Sprinkle the chopped drill to garnish the dish 

Spicy Tomato Seafood Mix Pasta

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: KANGIITALY

Ingredients:

- 8 oz pasta 

- 1 pound seafood mix

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 chopped onion

- 2 cloves minced garlic

- 1 can of diced tomatoes (14oz)

- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

- Salt and pepper

- Fresh and chopped basil leaves 

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta following the instructions on the packaging. Drain it and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and cook on medium heat. Next, add the chopped onions and cook until they are softened.
3. Add the minced garlic to the mixture and cook for 30 minutes.
4. Add the seasoned mix to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Pour the diced tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper to achieve a better taste.
7. Toss the cooked pasta together with the seafood mixture.
8. Garnish the seafood with fresh basil leaves and serve the dish hot. 

Final Thoughts

If you have been wondering how to cook seafood mix, hopefully, you find this guide helpful. 

Cooking seafood can be an extraordinary culinary adventure, bringing the best flavors of the ocean to the plate. 

With a blend of fresh and aromatic ingredients from KnowSeafood and a careful cooking process, you can create a tasty dish that will leave a lasting impression on any seafood enthusiast.

Order your ingredients and embark on a delightful journey with every bite. Bon Appetit!