If you are already a lover of seafood, oh boy do you need this recipe in your life! If you are unsure, trying to incorporate more seafood into your diet, or have someone who does not like seafood and you want to convince them, you also need this recipe in your life!
Seafood is super for your health, mussels & clams provide some of the highest sources of zinc and certain other minerals of all protein sources, is quite high in protein yet low in calories, and a source of omega-3 fatty acids. You should of course educate yourself as to the source of your seafood, and you can read more on the nutrition facts here or here.
Well, isn’t seafood expensive? you may ask. I can’t afford to eat that stuff. you may think.
False.
Let me explain.
The components of this recipe include: mussels, shrimp, and white fish (in this case, catfish). All of these ingredients came out of my freezer (since I am doing my January restricted budget/eat from the pantry challenge), and all together cost about $6. Here’s the secret: always shop sales!
The catfish nuggets I grabbed when they were manager’s special, meaning they had to be sold that day, or else, for less than $2. Just pop it in the freezer, now you have fresh fish whenever you want it. The mussels were on sale, close to $6 for a 2 pound bag, and I used one pound. The other pound is in the freezer waiting for the next recipe. And the shrimp? Also on sale, under $2 for a 12 oz bag.
The other ingredients include fresh onions & garlic & dill, all to be had for a buck or two. Whole wheat pasta, 0.88 on sale. Olive oil, salt, these I always have on hand. And a secret ingredient, stuffed cherry peppers! These were left in the refrigerator and I didn’t want them to spoil, so into the pasta they went! And I must say, it was a wonderful addition, the peppers added just a touch of bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound linguine pasta
- 1 pound mussels
- 12 oz shrimp
- 1.5 pound white fish, such as catfish or tilapia
- 5-6 hot peppers
- 2-4 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 green onions
- 2-3 stems of dill (optional)
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 small white onion
- Salt & Pepper
Step 1: Either steam the mussels by heating, covered, until they all open, or freeze them and then thaw in the frying pan, this causes them to open. Cook mussels for 7-10 minutes. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and the shrimp, cook another 2-3 minutes. Add the white fish, cook until easily flaked with a fork.
Step 2: Remove the seafood to a plate and keep warm. Add peppers, garlic, and onion, and cook until softened. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and simmer the pasta 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
Step 3: Add the cooked, drained pasta to the pan, along with the rest of the olive oil, vinegar, and the seafood. Mix well to coat the pasta in the seafood juice and oil. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Dice up the fresh dill (or other herbs) & sprinkle on top.
You could also use parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary. Feel free to substitute other types of shellfish or seafood such as cooked lobster meat, crab, clams, or scallops. Whatever is on sale! 😉