Sarasota's Seafood "aka Lobster" Rolls
"Lobster is expensive and "lobster lovers" know how good a traditional lobster roll is. But now-a-days, you can get shrimp, fish and even crab meat that is fairly inexpensive and reasonable. I try to take advantage of what's on sale at my local market. My favorite is a mix of snapper or grouper (which I catch fresh quite often), but halibut, cod, even tilapia will work fine for this; any whitefish basically. Shrimp, usually a medium size (but again, buy what is on sale), and crab. I can often find mine fresh, but a good canned crab is fine. And if you don't like crab, shrimp or fish, try scallops as an alternative. Bay scallops (the small ones are inexpensive, quick cooking and are perfect for this sandwich. What is so nice about this sandwich, is you can use any mix you want. Three (3) cups of seafood will make 8 hearty sandwiches. Crunchy celery, a touch of green onions, fresh lemon and herbs make this a simple salad. And, since you are going to all the work of using good seafood, but a good "hot dog" roll. I am not that much of a purist, but I do get a bakery hot dog bun vs. the 8 per package rolls. They just really are key to a good sandwich. I prefer to serve a little lettuce on the bottom of my roll, shredded, but that is just my preference - it is not necessary. I also prefer to buy all my own seafood (shrimp, fish or scallops) uncooked and season myself, but you can also use precooked. Stuff the lightly buttered rolls with a little lettuce on the bottom, top with the fresh seafood salad and a side of fries or chips and a pickle."
- Ready In:
- 35mins
- Ingredients:
- 13
- Yields:
-
8 Sandwich rolls
- Serves:
- 4-8
ingredients
- 8 hot dog rolls (bakery style preferred)
- 3 cups seafood, rough chopped (any mix of shrimp, crab, scallops or fish)
- 2 medium celery ribs, chopped fine (including the leaves)
- 4 large shallots, fine chopped
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup mayonnaise, no miracle whip (a bit more or less depending on how creamy you like the salad) or 1 cup low fat
- 1⁄2 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 pinch Old Bay Seasoning, this is especially important if you didn't cook your own seafood (any seafood seasoning will work)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 -2 teaspoon fresh parsley, fine chopped
- 1⁄2 cut butter, melted
- salt
- pepper
directions
- Seafood -- NOTE from above: If using fresh seafood - I simply season with Old Bay or any seafood seasoning and then pan saute in a little olive oil. This will work for shrimp, scallops or any white fish. I can't give exact cooking times as they will all be different. Once cooked until tender, transfer to a plate, cover and refrigerate before using. Rough chop before adding to the dressing.
- Salad -- In a medium size bowl, mix the mayonnaise, lemon, parsley, shallots, celery, salt, pepper, cayenne, and Old Bay (if you did not cook your own seafood). Add in the cooked chilled seafood and stir well to combine. Be careful not to over mix as you do not want to break up the seafood.
- Butter and Buns -- In a measuring cup or any cup or bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Just 1 minute or so on medium. Brush the butter on the inside of the hot dog rolls/buns and put under the broiler for just a few minutes until slightly brown. I use the second shelf so they don't brown too quickly. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Serve -- I like to add 1/4 cup of the shredded lettuce in the bottom of the buns and then STUFF with the salad and enjoy! It is just a great salad. Worthy of company or a dinner party. ENJOY!
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
SarasotaCook
Sarasota, Florida
<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
