Pin Delight your guests with the Starfish & Shell Appetizer Board, a seafood lover’s dream come to life. This stunning spread features a vibrant medley of shellfish artfully arranged to evoke the beauty of the ocean, combining fresh shrimp, scallops, crab claws, mussels, and clams with flavorful accompaniments and elegant garnishes. Perfect for creating a memorable start to any celebration, this board presents a feast for both the eyes and palate.
Pin With its nautical theme and fresh ingredients, this board brings a touch of elegance and fun to your appetizer table. The combination of chilled shellfish accompanied by zesty lemon aioli, rich herbed butter, and tangy cocktail sauce offers a delightful contrast of flavors, making each bite a celebration of the sea.
Ingredients
- Seafood
- 12 cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 cooked scallops
- 6 cooked crab claws
- 8 cooked mussels, in shell
- 8 cooked clams, in shell
- Accompaniments
- 1 cup cocktail sauce
- 1/2 cup lemon aioli
- 1/2 cup herbed butter
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/2 cup marinated olives
- Garnishes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Edible flowers (optional)
- Crackers & Breads
- 1 cup assorted crackers
- 1 small baguette, sliced
Instructions
- 1. Arrange the seafood
- Arrange the seafood on a large serving board in a visually appealing pattern, creating a starfish shape with the shrimp and scallops, and a shell-like arc with the crab claws, mussels, and clams.
- 2. Place sauces
- Place small bowls of cocktail sauce, lemon aioli, and herbed butter around the board.
- 3. Fill spaces
- Fill spaces with lemon slices, pickled onions, marinated olives, and assorted crackers and bread slices.
- 4. Garnish
- Garnish with chopped parsley and, if desired, scatter edible flowers for a festive touch.
- 5. Serve
- Serve immediately, ensuring seafood remains chilled until serving.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To create the perfect starfish shape, carefully place shrimp and scallops evenly spaced in a symmetrical pattern. Chilled seafood is essential to maintain freshness and texture, so keep all shellfish refrigerated until the moment of serving. Use fresh parsley to add a bright, herbal note that contrasts beautifully with the rich sauces.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For exciting variations, include smoked salmon, lobster tails, or a refreshing seaweed salad to diversify flavor and texture. If lemon aioli is unavailable or preferred differently, substitute it with plain mayonnaise or tartar sauce. This appetizer board is adaptable to various seafood choices depending on availability and taste preferences.
Serviervorschläge
Pair this appetizer board with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or a light sparkling wine to complement the ocean's brightness. Serve as a centerpiece for a casual party or a more formal gathering, ensuring all sauces are replenished and seafood stays chilled throughout the event.
Pin Embrace the art of seafood presentation with this Starfish & Shell Appetizer Board, a delightful way to bring the flavors of the sea straight to your table. With its colorful array of shellfish and fresh, tangy accompaniments, it promises to be a showstopper that your guests will remember and ask for again.