If you’re looking for a change of pace from summer barbecues, a seafood dinner is a nice alternative. The following Skillet Shrimp Creole recipe calls for fresh or frozen shrimp, and the Mediterranean-Style Crab Cakes recipe uses canned crabmeat.
Each of the dishes is not only tasty, but also goes well with other main dishes. Or, the two can be served together for a delightful summer dinner!
SKILLET SHRIMP CREOLE
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can (14 1/2-ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 envelope onion soup mix
1/2 cup water
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
In a 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat and cook green pepper with celery until tender.
Add tomatoes and parsley, then onion soup mix blended with water.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes.
Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes or until shrimp turns pink
Serve over hot, cooked rice. Makes about 4 servings.
MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE CRAB CAKES
5 tablespoons butter, divided
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
2 (6-ounce cans) crabmeat, well drained
1 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs, divided
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter. Add onion, celery and garlic; cook 3 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in crabmeat, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, mayonnaise, egg, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and pepper.
Shape crabmeat mixture into 4 patties; coat with remaining 1/2 cup bread crumbs, pressing crumbs into each patty.
In same large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Cook patties in butter 8 to 9 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 4 servings.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
