Valentine's Day Favorites!

     If going out to dinner for Valentine’s Day is not quite your thing, we completely understand! But that doesn’t mean that you still can’t have an {easy} gourmet meal to prepare at home for you and your loved one! We have a variety of options and cooking tips to help perfect your Valentine’s Day Meal.

LOBSTER TAILS

     EFC carries an excellent selection of Atlantic, Warm Water and South African Lobster Tails ranging anywhere from 4 oz. to 20+ oz. Tails!

Cooking Tails is easy with these 6 simple steps:

     While you can cook lobster tails by steaming, baking, grilling or boiling, we are going to stick with the baking technique! Baking is an excellent choice and allows for a beautiful plate presentation for your loved one! (Just be cautious not to overcook!)

1. Thaw the lobster tail overnight in the refrigerator. If you plan on cooking the tails the same day of purchase, we suggest keeping your lobster tails in a sealed bag and soaking them in cold water for 30-60 min. (The larger the tail, the more time you will need to thaw.)
2. Cut the upper shell down the center of the back with seafood shears leaving the tail fan intact. Give the tail a rinse and remove any vein or tomalley. Run your finger between the meat and the shell to loosen and separate from each other. Lift the uncooked tail meat through the slit to rest on top of the shell. (Leave the end of the tail meat in the shell where the tail fans out.)
3. Place lobster tails on a baking pan and add a little water so the lobster tails do not dry out. Brush each tail with a little bit of butter prior to cooking.
4. Cook at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until meat becomes opaque and white. 3-6 oz.=8-11 min | 6-7 oz.=10-12 min | 8-12 oz.=12-15 min | 12-20 oz.=15-18 min | 20-32 oz.=18-20 min
5. Add lemon, butter and paprika for seasoning (if desired).
6. Place under broiler for about 2-3 minutes for a crisp top.
7. Remove from the oven and you can serve your lobster tails with melted butter and fresh lemon wedges!

KING CRAB/ SNOW CRAB LEGS

     All king crab and snow crab is cooked, glazed and frozen- so really all you need to do is warm the meat! (You can serve the crab meat cold as well, either in a cold salad, or as an appetizer with dipping sauce.) In you plan to cook your crab legs, you can choose to steam, broil, boil, grill or bake them, however we are going to go with broiling for these simple steps below. 

How to cook crab with these simple steps:

1. Place your crab legs in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
2. Brush with melted butter.
3. Broil 4-5 minutes and serve.

Other Quick Tips:

• King/ Snow Crab Legs may be steamed by adding water to a pot and bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, place the crab legs on a rack or colander over the boiling water. Cover with a lid and cook for approximately 6-10 minutes until meat is heated.
• Bake crab legs by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking dish or pan and add very little water just to coat the bottom. Cover the pan with foil and bake for approximately 10 minutes.

SALMON

     EFC carries an excellent selection salmon- 15 different varieties to be exact. However, when you come into the store, you will most likely notice 4+ varieties in the case ( but don’t be afraid to ask for other options if you would like to see something else!)

     We are currently featuring our open ocean raised Skuna Bay Salmon from Vancouver. This month only you can save $1.00/ lb. 

     Salmon can be cooked in a variety of ways including baking, broiling, grilling, smoking, pan searing, or poaching. You can add just about any marinade, spice, seasoning or sauce as the meat will withstand, however we love simple recipes that let the flavor shine through.

Check out this easy recipe that our Chef Matt just prepared:

Pan Seared Salmon w/ Collard Greens

OYSTERS

     Oysters, Oysters, and MORE Oysters! We just can’t seem to get enough of them! While certainly their fun and trendy names have helped their growth in the market, there are several of reasons why these bivalves are rapidly growing in popularity. Maybe because of their delicious flavors or versatility in the kitchen, or maybe it is for the fact that they not only make an excellent dish in an upscale restaurant, but also pair perfectly with beer and wine in any bar or home. Not to mention the healthy benefits that oysters provide.

     Not only does the demand of oysters continue to grow, but so does the variety of oysters available. In keeping up with this popular demand, there are times where we have over 25 varieties in house, all with an excellent sea to table story.  Hailing from the Puget Sounds of Washington, we have a wide selection of bold gourmet oysters from the West Coast, each with their own unique finish. Sweet and salty from the east, our variety of oysters come in from PEI Canada all the way down to Virginia.

     If eating raw oysters does not sound appealing, there are multiple cooking techniques. We have been seeing a growing popularity in grilled, barbequed and baked Oyster Rockefeller or Oyster Casino! (Both available in the Euclid Fish Market- pre-order by calling or placing an order on our website!)

Quick pointers for cooking oysters:

     Baking: Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Put the oyster shells on a cookie sheet and cook for 15-25 minutes or until the shells open. Serve with a fresh squeeze of lemon, or your choice of sauce!

     We will be featuring Sweet Sensation Oysters this weekend for Valentine’s Day! $15.99 for a dozen and $2.00 each fresh shucked!

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:

     For additional dinner ideas or starters that require zero to very minimal prep

• Fresh Cooked Shrimp available daily! Squeeze on some fresh lemon juice or dip in Chef Comella’s Homemade Cocktail sauce as the perfect appetizer!
• Raw Oysters- Either we shuck, or you shuck! Take your pick. Serve fresh shucked oysters with fresh squeezed lemon, horseradish, cocktail sauce or hot sauce!
• Crabcakes- Choose from 5 different varieties, all made in house. Just heat and serve with or without sauce! (We suggest our homemade spicy remoulade sauce, or bistro sauce for a little less heat.)
• Something other than seafood? Cheese and charcuterie! Yes… we have it and lots’ of it. This is a perfect appetizer for any Valentine's Day meal!

Surf N Turf

     Last but not least, one of our all-time favorite options (and our customers) for Valentine’s Day…. The Surf and Turf Dinner Pairing. Our dinner pairing includes two 4.5 oz. Maine lobster tails with lemon, two 6-ounce sirloin steaks, and two pieces of cheesecake. Each dinner pairing comes packed and presented in a box with completed cooking instructions! This month only, save $2.00 on the Surf N Turf Pairing which can be pre-ordered here.

We hope that you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved one!