A Seafood-Friendly Pantry

Hello it's Michael LaDuke and I'm back to talk about spicing up your kitchen cabinets. A seafood-friendly pantry gives you plenty of flavor profiles as you explore new ways to cook seafood.

First, be sure you have sea salt - it's the perfect marriage with fish - and freshly ground pepper. To keep the fresh flavor of dried spices, buy them whole and grind them in a coffee grinder just before cooking. (Chef Darryl keeps a separate grinder at home just for this because not everyone loves cumin-flavored coffee!)

Olive oil is a must for seafood. Extra virgin olive oil has the deepest flavor because it's from the olives' first press. If you're looking for oil with less flavor, use canola. Also, keep several favorite sauces in your pantry. I'm a big fan of Sweet Chili Sauce, found in the Asian specialty section of most markets. Its sweet flavor - with a spicy kick - is perfect for seafood.

Fresh citrus provides more great flavor. For an added flavor profile, grill a cut fresh lime or lemon and then squeeze it over your freshly grilled fish. Fresh basil is another natural for seafood. You might think of basil as an automatic pairing with Italian tomato sauces. But this naturally sweet herb enhances fresh fish and plays an important supporting role with spices such as garlic. I love fresh grouper brushed with butter and fresh basil. Add freshly grilled vegetables and you have a light, flavorful meal.

Finally, remember to keep your favorite white wine on hand. It keeps the fish happy - and the chef happy. That's all for now. Please post to the Chef's blog any questions or seafood suggestions you'd like to share. Thanks for joining us and come back soon to see what's fresh today at Red Lobster.