10 Ways to Mix Up Your Summer Seafood Routine

Although freshly caught fish and shellfish need no embellishment there's nothing wrong with a little gussying up.
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Seafood is practically synonymous with summer. Long days spent by the ocean (at least in our dreams!), and a hankering for fresh, bright flavors make seafood something that's craved during these warm months. Although it could be argued that freshly caught fish and shellfish need no embellishment, there's nothing wrong with a little gussying up. Trust us, these dishes are worth the effort.

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Summer Seafood
Avocado Crab Rolls(01 of10)
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Like the best seafood rolls, less is more here: just puree the mayo, chop the vegetables, and fold it all together. Don't skip the butter lettuce during assembly! - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
Barbecue Shrimp: A Down-Home, Messy, Good Meal(02 of10)
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Jumbo shrimp are roasted in a magical concoction that includes Tabasco, paprika, Worchestershire, oh, and lots of butter. The final step says it all -- this recipe will leave behind "greasy hands and happy faces." - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
Shrimp Burgers with Roasted Garlic-Orange Aioli(03 of10)
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In summer, we say the more burgers, the better. This one provides a spunky break from beef, pork, and turkey, opting instead for fresh shrimp dotted with confetti-like accents of red pepper, fennel fronds and orange zest. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: Sarah Shatz
Seared Sea Scallops with Gingered Pea Purée and Cilantro Gremolata(04 of10)
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This pea puree is unlike any pea puree we've had; it's punchy, it's gingery, it's exciting. Topped with a couple of perfectly-cooked scallops and a lemony, herbaceous gremolata, you've got a dish that's fit for a dinner party. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
Drunken Clams with Sausage(05 of10)
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The rich, tarragon-infused broth is the perfect match for a crusty loaf of bread, and the Littleneck clams pair perfectly with sausage. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
Lobster Diavolo(06 of10)
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If it's done right, Lobster Diavolo sings with the fresh, juicy tang of summer tomatoes and thrums with the gentle heat of chilis. When tossed with al dente pasta, the sauce provide a kicky backdrop that complements rather than overwhelms the sweet suppleness of the lobster itself. - Merrill
Photo: Nicole Franzen
Linguine con Vongole(07 of10)
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Each bite brings something chewy, salty, meaty, acidic, and rich; this is far from a simple, one-note bowl of pasta. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: Karen Mordechai
Brigit Binns' Crab Cakes(08 of10)
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This recipe is a perfect showcase for your finest, in-season crab. And sure, you can roast your own red peppers if you like. But we made these with some good quality canned crab and jarred pimientos, and they still turned out to be fresh little bites of summer -- great news for people far from crabs, or crab season. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
Mussels with Fennel, Italian Sausage & Pernod(09 of10)
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The sauce is heavenly with just the right amount of fennel flavor and heat. The sausage tucks away and becomes a little treasure when discovered, complementing the caramelized fennel and mussels. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
Dad's Favorite Seafood Stew(10 of10)
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This stew tastes of the sea -- if the sea was delicately perfumed with tomatoes, aromatics, and herbs. Plus, the broth was so good that we drank it on it's own. - Amanda & Merrill
Photo: James Ransom

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