Time around the busy holidays always seems to be in short supply. Special meals, parties, and get-togethers usually require extra endeavors in the kitchen. This year, we decided to let someone else take care of the cooking. Hidden behind The Tap in West End, Sea Products has both prepared foods and fresh fish. Depending on the season, you could find NC black grouper, Chilean sea bass, Spanish mackerel, monkfish, NC vermilion snapper, and more. They also sell seasonings and sauces you can use when fixing the fresh seafood at home.
For Christmas Eve, Jerry and I special ordered a beautifully molded Salmon Mousse to take with us to the in-laws. Seasoned with a hint of spice and onion, we served this luxurious spread with crackers and thinly sliced bread from the bakery. It made a wonderful showpiece for the buffet table.
After the overindulgent Christmas dinners and parties, we wanted something simple, savory and comforting for supper on Friday. Several loaves of Camino Bakery bread and an assortment of Sea Products soups made a hearty, straightforward meal. Jerry picked out the Shrimp-Okra Bisque. Loaded with tender shrimp and okra, this soup has inspired me to double my okra production in the garden next year. It was delicious. Mom's favorite was the She Crab Soup. Crabmeat, cream, and sherry combined to make this classic a year round must-have. Dad enjoyed a bowl of Corn & Crab Chowder. Sweet corn, shredded crab, bacon, and green onion fashioned the nourishing chowder. Everyone sampled the Manhattan Clam Chowder (clams, diced potatoes, celery, onion, and tomato). My Ragout of Clams, Sausage and Mushrooms was amazing. The ragout could also be served over rice or cheese grits. Spicy Italian sausage, clams, onions, garlic, chucks of tomato, and mushrooms made this an instant favorite of mine.
Sunday is our family's usual Take-Out & Movie Night. Jerry and I had picked up several frozen prepared items from Sea Products to pop in the oven that evening. Mom's favorite was the Maryland Crab Cakes with lump crab meat. The Baked Scallops (chopped scallops, herbs, butter, garlic, and white wine) were served on a shell. Dad liked the sweetness of the backfin crabmeat in the Crab Imperial (also served on a shell). The Seafood Lasagna had layers of shrimp, scallops, crabmeat, spinach, and a scrumptious tomato cream sauce. A seasoning kept us guessing until we read the ingredient list; it was anise. Jerry and I love mushrooms and enjoyed the Krab Casserole with shredded krab meat, diced mushrooms and cheese. The prepared foods were a huge time saver, and I want to try the Thai Shrimp Cakes when we stop in Sea Products next time.
For New Year's Eve, we looked to Sea Products for help once more. We preordered cooked shrimp. They hand peel and devein it individually. The cocktail sauce was lemony with a bit of horseradish and chili sauce (but not too much!). Mom and Dad were quite partial to the shrimp ring we constructed. Filled with deviled crab and topped with Parmesan cheese, the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms were sizable. I couldn't get enough of the Shrimp Pasta Salad. Full of sliced black olives, diced sweet red peppers, green onions, shrimp, and peas, this salad was dressed with a pesto mayonnaise. We appreciate the knowledgeable advice and friendly service at Sea Products. (A personal thank you to Pedro and owner, George Streblow, who assisted us during our visits!)
Whether you are looking for fresh seafood or prepared items, Sea Products is a hidden gem. Make a New Year's resolution, "Eat Local - Shop Local". All of our detailed Food and Brew Reviews can be found on the blog at https://foodandbrewreview.wordpress.com/. read more