Enjoy Seafood in Your Meal Plans

October is national seafood month but seafood is something that can be - and should be! - enjoyed year round! With modern flash freezing and transportation methods you can bring seafood from the coast or the Gulf to the heartland for a special meal. More common meals such as using canned salmon or salmon steaks on the grill are also possible. Other possibilities are shrimp, lobster and a wide range of fish.

One of the best salmon patties ever can be made combining 2 small cans of salmon, 2 eggs, parsley, 2 cloves garlic, ½ roll crushed Ritz crackers and a juice and zest from a lemon. This is just one way to include seafood in your meal plans.

There's also a variety of fish that will give slightly different tastes to meals. Two pounds of flounder or cod is the basis for a creamed fish dish that is very yummy and not difficult to make. Place the fish in boiling salted water with a tablespoon lemon juice for 3 minutes, draining then layer in a 9x13 dish. Reserve a cup of the liquid for the sauce - combine with a stick butter, ¼ cup flour, juice from 1 lemon, a cup each cooked shrimp and mushrooms. Stir until thick then stir in 1 egg and a dash of salt and nutmeg. Remove from heat and add in a tablespoon cooking sherry and a cup of unwhipped cream, pouring over the fish and baking at 350 for 30 minutes.

Growing up we'd get visits from "the fish man" - who came around on a loop of customers much like the Schwan's food service folks do. One of the things that would come forth from his truck was halibut - combine 2 tablespoons flour, a teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon tarragon vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and 1 ½ cups sour cream. In a shallow baking dish melt 2 (or more if desired) tablespoons butter in a shallow casserole dish and place about 2 pounds of halibut in the dish. Pour the mixture over and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Salmon can also be an incredibly versatile meal, from grilled to salmon loaf to a wide range of other recipes including salmon mousse.

For some oysters are another favorite meal with a tradition that it is served over the holidays. One easy oyster dish can me made with 1 ½ cups cooked macaroni. Oil a 9x9 baking dish and layer alternately with macaroni and a small can of cut oysters, sprinkle lightly with salt. Mix the oyster juice with a cup of milk and pour over the top dot with butter and 12 crushed crackers. Top with ¼ cup cheese and bake at 350 until top is light brown, about 15 minutes.

Tuna is a very common readily accessible canned item made popular with "Tuna Helper" dishes although it is not the deal it once was. Far from the 3 cans for $1 it's now often at or over $1 per can and the cans are no longer 6 ounces but 5.

There are many places online that can quickly deliver seafood to your door anywhere in the USA. This makes it easier than ever to use seafood as an occasional meal.