Description
Refreshing Italian Seafood Salad blends Mediterranean flavors with tender seafood and crisp vegetables. Fresh herbs and zesty lemon dressing complete this light, elegant dish you’ll want to savor with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 0.5 pounds (226 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 0.5 pounds (226 grams) calamari, cleaned and sliced
- 0.5 pounds (226 grams) mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 0.5 pounds (226 grams) scallops
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) celery, finely chopped
- 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic
- Optional: capers
- Optional: chili flakes
Instructions
- Immerse seafood (shrimp, scallops, calamari) in rapidly boiling water for 2-3 minutes until proteins turn opaque and firm. Immediately transfer to ice bath to halt cooking process.
- Place mussels in steamer, cook until shells dramatically pop open, approximately 4-5 minutes. Discard any shellfish remaining sealed.
- Finely chop crisp celery, red onion, and fresh parsley into uniform, delicate pieces.
- Create vibrant vinaigrette by whisking extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, white wine vinegar, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until emulsified.
- Gently fold prepared seafood and chopped vegetables together in expansive mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution.
- Drizzle zesty vinaigrette over seafood mixture, carefully tossing to coat every morsel without breaking delicate proteins.
- Refrigerate salad for minimum 60 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify before serving chilled.
Notes
- Always use the freshest seafood available for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
- Avoid overcooking seafood by using a timer and removing from heat immediately when just done to prevent rubbery texture.
- Drain seafood thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to ensure the dressing clings perfectly and doesn’t become watery.
- Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped fresh dill for an extra flavor boost that complements the delicate seafood.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg