Save Celebrate the spirit of the sea with the Starfish & Shell Appetizer Board, a stunning seafood-inspired platter that brings ocean flavors to your table. Featuring a vibrant medley of shellfish artfully arranged to evoke the shapes of starfish and shells, this board is designed to impress and delight guests with each chilled bite and refreshing accompaniment.
Save This appetizer board invites your guests to savor the essence of coastal freshness, enhanced by bright lemon slices, tangy pickled onions, and the savory punch of marinated olives. Accompanied by three irresistible dipping sauces—cocktail sauce, lemon aioli, and herbed butter—it perfectly balances richness and zest, making every bite memorable.
Ingredients
- Seafood
- 12 cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 cooked scallops
- 6 cooked crab claws
- 8 cooked mussels, in shell
- 8 cooked clams, in shell
- Accompaniments
- 1 cup cocktail sauce
- 1/2 cup lemon aioli
- 1/2 cup herbed butter
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/2 cup marinated olives
- Garnishes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Edible flowers (optional)
- Crackers & Breads
- 1 cup assorted crackers
- 1 small baguette, sliced
Instructions
- 1. Arrange the seafood
- Arrange the seafood on a large serving board in a visually appealing pattern, creating a starfish shape with the shrimp and scallops, and a shell-like arc with the crab claws, mussels, and clams.
- 2. Add sauces
- Place small bowls of cocktail sauce, lemon aioli, and herbed butter around the board.
- 3. Fill spaces
- Fill spaces with lemon slices, pickled onions, marinated olives, and assorted crackers and bread slices.
- 4. Garnish
- Garnish with chopped parsley and, if desired, scatter edible flowers for a festive touch.
- 5. Serve
- Serve immediately, ensuring seafood remains chilled until serving.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Keep the seafood chilled until just before serving to preserve freshness and flavor. Use a sharp knife to slice the baguette into uniform rounds for an attractive presentation. Arrange the starfish shape thoughtfully to balance colors and textures for visual appeal.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For added variety, include smoked salmon, lobster tails, or seaweed salad to complement the shellfish selection. Swap lemon aioli with plain mayonnaise or tartar sauce based on preference.
Serviervorschläge
Pair this appetizer board with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or a light sparkling wine to highlight the ocean flavors. Serve alongside chilled beverages and light salads for an elegant seafood feast.
Save With its stunning presentation and diverse seafood flavors, the Starfish & Shell Appetizer Board is sure to become a highlight of your gatherings. Relish the fresh coastal notes complemented by bright garnishes and sauces as you create an unforgettable start to your meal.
Recipe FAQs
- → How should I arrange the seafood on the board?
Arrange shrimp and scallops to create a starfish shape and form a shell-like arc with crab claws, mussels, and clams for visual appeal.
- → What sauces complement this seafood assortment?
Serve with cocktail sauce, lemon aioli, and herbed butter placed in small bowls around the board for dipping variety.
- → Can I substitute any seafood items on the board?
Yes, smoked salmon, lobster tails, or seaweed salad are excellent additions or replacements for added variety.
- → What garnishes enhance the presentation?
Use fresh chopped parsley and edible flowers to add a festive and colorful touch to the board.
- → How should I keep the seafood fresh before serving?
Ensure the seafood remains chilled until ready to serve to maintain freshness and safety.