Giant Seafood Celebration

Hello and welcome back to the Red Lobster Chef’s Blog. With Sunday’s Big Game upon us – and my beloved New York Giants prepping for an upset victory over the Patriots – it’s time to think about two of my favorite subjects, seafood and football.

In recent blogs, Chef Darryl and I have talked about how fresh, delicious seafood can take your party up a notch. We’ve seen how lobster, scallops and crab can create a Christmas get–together that your friends and family will never forget. And we’ve discussed how adding seafood to other traditional events – like July 4 grilling – gives you a new, fresh approach to flavor.

The same is true for Big Game get–togethers. When it comes to football, you might think of pepperoni pizza or beef nachos. But seafood brings a cool, unexpected twist to your football party that people will rave about long after my beloved Giants’ victory. But forgive me, I digress.

As we’ve mentioned in past blogs and videos, treats liked smoked scallops and poached lobster are a great enhancement to a traditional shrimp platter. And our Virtual Fresh Fish Cookbook at www.redlobster.com features cool shrimp sauces inspired by flavors from around the world. Here, I’ve included recipes for three other seafood party favorites that are tasty and shareable: Spicy Shrimp Pizza (honestly, isn’t shrimp more fun than pepperoni?), Baked Ziti with Shrimp and Creamy Crab Nachos.

So enjoy the Big Game, cheer on the Giants (Eli Manning MUST be a seafood fan) and we’ll talk again next week. Until then, happy cooking and happy football.

Michael LaDuke

Two Weeks to Go!

With only two weeks left of pro football season, I’m sure fans everywhere are crushed to see this beloved gridiron celebration end. But whatever happens, one thing is for sure: Watching football is a great time to eat seafood. OK, what else did you expect me to say? Seriously, whether you’re planning a party for the annual Big Game or getting your family back together for a post-holiday Sunday meal, there are many great seafood recipes in the Chef’s Blog to enjoy this time of year.

My family’s favorite over the holidays was Lobster Artichoke Dip with Goat Cheese. It was a great way to enjoy seafood and a cool way for me to sneak goat cheese in on them. I’m sure this creamy dip will be on the table in a couple of weeks when I watch my beloved New York Giants take on the New England Patriots. If you are gathering loved ones together, a crab boil or lobster bake also make a great family meal, and let everyone share delicious seafood around the dinner table.

We have a lot of cool things coming up on the Red Lobster Chef’s Blog. Next week, I’ll share some of my seafood party favorites to try as you watch my team battle in the Big Game. (My apologies to all the Green Bay fans who sat in 24-degree-below-zero weather for last Sunday’s NFC playoff game, but, hey, somebody had to win. And did I mention it was my beloved New York Giants?!?)

OK, enough about the Giants already. Just ask my wife, Kathleen, who has heard Eli Manning’s name so much during the last few days that she thinks he works for Red Lobster. Or my children, Alexis, 9, and Zachary, 8, who don’t understand why they had to wear the same Giants shirts every Sunday for the past three weeks. Hey, Daddy’s a little superstitious.

Thanks again for coming by the Chef’s Blog. I’ll see you next week with Giants-inspired seafood recipes. And I’ll be back in a couple of weeks from the annual Boston Seafood Show, with behind-the-scenes reports on the latest in seafood trends. Until then, happy cooking.

Michael LaDuke

Fresh Ideas for the New Year

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring or taste badly. Red Lobster chefs Michael LaDuke and Darryl Mickler give you ideas for fresh and healthy seafood that tastes great and is good for you. Enjoy!