Antipasto Seafood Salad

🥗 Antipasto Seafood Salad 🦐🍤

What is it?
Antipasto Seafood Salad is a delightful Italian-inspired dish that combines the flavors of a classic antipasto platter with the addition of various seafood ingredients. It’s a refreshing and savory salad that’s perfect for seafood lovers.

History:
The origins of Antipasto Seafood Salad can be traced back to Italy, where antipasto (meaning “before the meal”) is a traditional starter course. Over time, creative cooks added seafood elements to the classic antipasto ingredients to create this unique salad.

Components:
The key components of Antipasto Seafood Salad include:

1. Seafood: This salad typically features a variety of seafood such as shrimp, calamari, and mussels. These are usually cooked and then chilled before being added to the salad.

2. Fresh Vegetables: It includes a mix of fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, and cucumbers, which add a burst of color and freshness.

3. Olives: Kalamata or green olives are common choices, contributing a briny and salty flavor.

4. Cheese: Cubes of mozzarella or provolone cheese are often added to provide creaminess.

5. Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh basil and parsley add a burst of flavor. A simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning ties everything together.

Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making Antipasto Seafood Salad:

1. Prepare the Seafood: Cook the seafood (shrimp, calamari, mussels) separately according to their specific instructions. Let them cool and chill in the refrigerator.

2. Chop Vegetables: Dice the cherry tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, and cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Slice the olives.

3. Cheese Cubes: Cut the mozzarella or provolone cheese into cubes.

4. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Assemble: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked and chilled seafood, chopped vegetables, olives, cheese cubes, and freshly chopped basil and parsley.

6. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.

7. Toss Gently: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure they’re well coated with the dressing.

8. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

9. Serve: Serve chilled, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Preparation Time:
The total time needed to prepare Antipasto Seafood Salad depends on the cooking and chilling time for the seafood. Generally, it takes approximately 30-45 minutes to prepare, not including the time for seafood to cool. It’s a great option for a refreshing appetizer or a light meal, especially on a warm day. Enjoy! 🍽️😊

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Antipasto Seafood Salad:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):

• Calories: 280-350 kcal
• Protein: 20-25g
• Carbohydrates: 10-15g
• Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
• Sugars: 2-3g
• Fat: 15-20g
• Saturated Fat: 4-6g
• Cholesterol: 80-100mg
• Sodium: 800-1000mg

Health Information:

1. Protein-Rich: This salad is a good source of protein, primarily from the seafood (shrimp, calamari, mussels). Protein is essential for muscle health and overall body function.

2. Low in Carbohydrates: Antipasto Seafood Salad is relatively low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for those following low-carb or ketogenic diets.

3. Healthy Fats: The fats in this salad primarily come from olive oil and the natural fats in seafood. Olive oil contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

4. Fiber and Vegetables: The fresh vegetables in the salad provide dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health and can help you feel full and satisfied.

5. Antioxidants: The variety of vegetables and herbs in the salad provide antioxidants, including vitamins C and A, which can support your immune system and overall health.

6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Certain seafood like shrimp and mussels are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial for heart health.

7. Sodium Consideration: Be mindful of the sodium content, especially if you have high blood pressure. You can reduce the sodium by using low-sodium olives and being cautious with added salt in the dressing.

8. Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients and portion sizes to meet your dietary preferences and nutritional needs. For example, you can use more vegetables and less cheese if you’re looking to reduce calories and fat.

Remember that the actual nutrition values may vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes you use. It’s a generally healthy and balanced salad that can be enjoyed as part of a well-rounded diet.