Dive on in — the water is great and so are the appetizers! While you’re sitting on the dock ramping up for a busy late summer season, take a moment to catch some fresh ideas for your waterside oasis.
School of Fish
Sushi boats are still all the rage, not only to eat but also to show off on social media before digging in. You don’t have to stop at sushi though. Get creative and make a boat to display your favorite bite-size appetizers. Did someone say seafood charcuterie board? Large groups can go in on these together for the sheer portion size and the fun Instagram-able photo.
Skewers, hot off the grill, using fan-favorite small bites, are a great addition to your starters. They are easy to share, easy to eat, allow for mixing and matching offerings, AND allow for customizable dipping opportunities. Empire’s Treasure’s® Hush Puppy Coated Pollock Nuggets are perfect for dipping and serve as an ideal starter option with large portions. They feature a great combo of hush puppies and seafood all rolled into one.
Trendy Fish Dishes
Make a big splash with new LTOs. Crab cake bites have all the flavor of the classic crab cake but in small, appetizer portions. Another tasty go-to starter is crab dip but, branch out from the classic by turning your catch of the day into a dip or spread. Oysters are always a staple, so be sure to add those to your happy hour menu in your favorite variation (or all of them)! Crab or shrimp stuffed mushrooms can add some unique variety to your menu, too.
One more mouth-watering small plate selection is bacon-wrapped scallops. Directly from the ocean to the plate, Bay Winds® Scallops represent the best dry scallops on the market. Bay Winds seafood is all-natural, sourced from prime, sustainable areas of the globe. Grab some of these scallops and get cooking — we can already smell the bacon.
Fin-tastic Happy Hour
Offer up your tasty summer appetizer menu alongside a fun happy hour. When you add the ultimate garnish — a bloody mary can be a cocktail and starter, all in one! Try a bloody mary shrimp cocktail combo with Bay Winds Shrimp products that represent the highest standards in the industry. Another bloody mary topping idea is Roma® Calamari. With a bloody mary in hand, you don’t even need the cocktail sauce for dipping.
Refreshing or citrus-infused cocktails (or mocktails!) are always another great complements to starters like fish, shrimp, or oysters. Don’t skip out on the margaritas or mojitos for the happy hour menu when pairing with your seafood dishes. Just add your special recipe for fish tacos, and you’ve created an ideal afternoon for guests to sit back and enjoy.
It’s always a great day when you’re near the water. Make a great day even better with some fun seafood starters and combos perfect for late summer.
