Seafood is a particularly perfect pick for a fancy gaming night spread, but a lot of people feel daunted by the idea of serving it or overlook it in favor of other options. However, there’s so much potential in this category; most seafood is delicious, healthy, high-end, luxurious, and filling – not to mention, it looks amazing when laid out.
Of course, there are elements that you need to consider with care, like whether you’re going to serve it hot or cold, and how to handle food safety issues if the food is going to be served at room temperature. However, those logistics shouldn’t put you off throwing an amazing seafood gaming party. Let’s get stuck straight in!
Provide Napkins
Let’s face it; seafood is sticky. Yes, it’s delicious, but it’s not the most finger-friendly food… and a lot of gaming requires clean hands. There are ways to mitigate that, with forks, toothpicks, spoons, and bite-sized portions, but the key to ensuring your gaming night flows smoothly with seafood? Napkins.
Distribute a few stacks of napkins at various points on the table, and also add some in other areas of the room – on side tables, near screens, etc. You might even consider offering a few wet wipes so people can fully remove the grease from their fingers before they resume their gaming session.
That matters a lot because fluidity is a key element of many game nights. Let’s say some of your guests are engaging with games on a platform such as Cafe Casino, where they’ve got a choice pick of options like poker, slots, blackjack, baccarat, and more. They might enjoy a quick pause for some mackerel pate on a cracker, or for a smoked salmon roll, but they’ll want to jump back into their gaming fun as quickly as possible. Napkins are the key.
It can also help to serve your fish in conjunction with other foods that are easier to eat. Take, for instance, devilled eggs – already a popular party food in their own right. They’re easy to make and very easy to eat, making them a solid pick immediately.
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But we don’t have to stop there! We can bring some seafood magic to these too. What about mixing some smoked salmon into the egg and mayo mix, or some diced anchovies on top? Perhaps a king prawn draped elegantly around the edge of the mashed yolk? The options are limitless!
Think Food Safety
One of the biggest challenges people face when basing a buffet around seafood is the food safety element. How do you keep your seafood fresh, appetizing, and safe to eat if your party spans multiple hours? It’s a challenge… but we can figure it out!
Serve In Small Portions
First up, don’t load up a huge bowl full of mackerel pate, shrimp, or lobster. Think smaller portions. Yes, this makes more work for you as the host – you’ll need to regularly refresh the items on the table – but it’s the surest way to minimize waste and keep your food fresh.
You can reduce work during the party itself by tossing together multiple bowls of each item and lining them up in the fridge. Empty dish on the table? Great, just swap it for a fresh one. It’s the most effective way to ensure no food is sitting out for too long.
Use Ice
It’s also worth considering whether you can chill the food directly on the table. It’s not going to work for every setup, but some dishes of ice may prove very effective, and can even look attractive if arranged with care. Bear in mind that the ice will melt, so you’ll need to have it in a container with a rim, or you’re in for a big mess! Also, make sure the table is well away from any heat sources to keep the temperature down for as long as possible.
Adding ice is the best way to extend the serving time of any fish plate, so if you think something will be on the table for 2 hours or more, find a way to ice the dish.
Opt For Fresh Fish
Sure, if you buy fish from your local store, it should be fresh… but it’s worth checking you get the freshest stuff possible to minimize any risks of problems. There are a few tricks you can use to check how fresh seafood is, so always familiarize yourself with these before you purchase anything.
Provide Variety
Now that some of the logistics are out of the way, let’s figure out what you might decide to serve! Don’t just put out a few plates of smoked salmon and decide that you’re done; if you’re going to go to the effort of handling fish logistically, get creative!
Maybe you serve mackerel pate and crudites, letting the crispy carrots and celery blend with the smokiness of the fish. Perhaps you make a selection of fish canapes to dazzle and amaze your guests before they launch into the next round of charades. Add some scallops, offer up lobster or marinated mussels, or even branch out into shrimp cocktails.
Of course, you should also pair your seafood dishes with other appetizers and sides, such as bread, olives, fruit, chips, and more – variety is what truly makes a table.
