SEAFOOD CROQUETTES & CREAMY GRITS

“I’m on a seafood diet – I see food, I eat it.” - Dolly Parton

Seafood Croquettes & Creamy Grits

If you have been reading the blog, or if you know me, you can see that I like a lot of seafood. Take that back - I love seafood. Growing up in Miami, with a Bahamian father, we were exposed to all kinds of fish and seafood.

The other day I was planning on making some salmon croquettes and the greedy seafood spirit hit me and I just had to add some shrimp and crab to them. I could taste it in my mind and couldn't wait to eat these croquettes with some grits. The croquettes are about 50 percent salmon, with 25 percent shrimp and 25 percent crabmeat.

They can be eaten by themselves, with grits, eggs, rice, potatoes, salad, or your choice of veggies. The flavor profile works well with any of these sides.

Seafood Croquettes in Formation

If you watch any of my Instagram reels, you may notice that I do not measure my seasonings. I just add enough of each seasoning as I see fit. For this recipe, add what you think works for you, but definitely use a little less of the seasonings that contain salt (Old Bay, Seasoning, Seasoning Salt, Celery Salt, and Morton Seasoning), as you don't want your seafood croquettes to be too salty. As a general rule, I think that 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of each seasoning should work well. Also remember that the flour is being seasoned as well.

The ingredients and preparation for the seafood cakes and creamy grits are listed below.

Seafood Croquettes Ingredients:

• 1 pound Fresh Salmon

• 1/2 cup Peeled, Deveined Shrimp

• 1 oz container Crab Meat (Private Collection)

• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (Food Lion)

• 1 Egg

• 1/2 cup Almond Flour (Fisher Nuts Brand)

• 1/2 cup chopped Green Bell Pepper

• 1/2 cup chopped Red Bell Pepper

• 1/2 cup chopped Yellow Onion

• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoning Salt

• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper (Food Lion)

• 1/2 teaspoon Tabitha Brown Sunshine Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika (Great Value)

• 1/2 teaspoon Thyme (Trader Joe's)

• 1/4 teaspoon Celery Salt (McCormick Spices)

• 1/2 teaspoon Dash Lemon Pepper Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon Jimmy Pearls Pearl Seasoning

• 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil (Food Lion)

Seasoned Flour

• 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour (Gold Medal)

• 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning

• 1/4 teaspoon Morton Natures Seasons Seasoning Blend

• 1/2 teaspoon Dash Table Blend Seasoning Blend

Preparation:

1. Chop peppers and onions

2. Add salmon, shrimp and crab meat to food processor.

3. Mix until combined, with a bit of texture.

4. Add to seafood mixture to mixing bowl.

5. Add olive oil and egg and mix until combined.

6. Add almond flour and mix.

7. Add red and green peppers, onions, and mix.

8. Add seasonings and mix until combined.

9. Form patties with the seafood mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

10. Mix all purpose flour with Old Bay, Table Blend, and Morton seasonings.

11. Lightly dust each patty with the seasoned flour.

12. Heat pan with vegetable oil.

13. Once the oil is hot, add croquettes to pan and turn to medium low heat.

14. Cook the croquettes on each side for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.

15. Remove croquettes from the pan and place on paper towels to drain oil.

16. Serve with desired side dish.

(Recipe Makes 11 croquettes)

Creamy Grits

• 1/2 cup Quaker Quick Grits

• 2 cups Water

• 1 tablespoon Salted Butter (Food Lion)

• 2 ounces Cream Cheese (Philadelphia Brand)

• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (McCormick Peppercorn Medley Grinder)

• 1 teaspoon Lawry's Casero Total Seasoning

• 1/4 cup Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese
  

Preparation:

• Boil water. Once water boils, add grits.

• Bring grits to a boil and cook according to package instructions.

• Once grits are finished cooking remove pot from heat.

• Add cream cheese, parmesan cheese, black pepper, and total seasoning.

• Mix gently until combined.

• Once done, remove from heat and serve with seafood croquettes.

(This recipe makes 4 servings of grits.)