Fish for Friday

What is the difference between fish and seafood? Seafood is the term given to seawater animals including fish and shellfish.

Molluscs, are a type of seafood, including clams, octopuses, and squid. Crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, and prawns.

Edible seaweeds are also included in the terminology and are cultivated and farmed mostly in Asia.

Seafood is often distinguished from meat and poultry although still an animal it is excluded from the vegetarian or vegan diet.

Under the category of seafood, fish needs to be found in saltwater rather than in freshwater lakes and rivers.

Seafood has many health benefits. In recent studies, researchers found a direct link between the amount of fish in a diet and the rate of death from heart disease.

Studies have found that the incidence of fatal heart disease was more than 50% lower in men who eat fish regularly than those who didn’t eat any fish.

Other studies have found that by adding salmon oil to the diet, triglyceride and cholesterol levels may be lowered.

As well there are implications that such ailments as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma and other inflammatory diseases can be improved by eating more fish.

8 ounces cream cheese -- cubed
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 stick butter -- softened
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces fettuccine (cooked & drained)
1 cup of mixed cooked seafood (salmon pieces, shrimp, prawns, scallops)

In a large saucepan, stir together the cream cheese, parmesan, butter, and cream. Heat, stirring, until smooth. Add hot, cooked fettuccine, and toss until well covered. Add seafood and toss until thoroughly mixed. Serve immediately, sprinkled with more parmesan.

1 large flatbread or whole wheat pita (store bought)
1/2 cup store bought or homemade Alfredo Sauce
1/2 cup raw shrimp, peeled
1/2 cup fresh cooked crab meat
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tbsp cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 cup mozarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

Saute the onion and garlic for about 3 minutes, add shrimp and saute a few more minutes until mostly cooked. If using a pizza stone, heat oven to 450 degrees. If not using a pizza stone heat oven to 400 degrees. If using a pizza stone, drizzle olive oil on both sides of flat bread or pita so it won’t stick to the stone.

Spread Alfredo Sauce over flat bread or pita, then layer with 1/2 the mozarella cheese, tomato slices, onion, garlic and shrimp mixture, then add crab meat and chopped tomato. Add the rest of the mozzarella cheese, the cilantro and then sprinkle with Parmesan. If using a pizza stone, bake the pizza for about 6 to 10 minutes. If not using a pizza stone put the pizza in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. The pizza crust should be golden brown in color.