Making seafood a regular part of your diet helps lower blood pressure levels and decreases the chance of heart attacks and strokes. There are a variety of ways to prepare seafood, but two of the most popular methods are using a steam pot or boiling. While similar, there are some distinctions between both cooking techniques. Below is a more in-depth look at both. 

Seafood Steam Pot

To properly steam your seafood, you’ll need either a steamer pot or a high pot with a circular rack. The steamer pots are designed to keep your food above the liquid you are using to steam the food. As the food rests in the holding container above the liquid, the steam rises inside of the covered pot and cooks it with the trapped heat.

One benefit of using a steam pot is that you aren’t limited to only using water to cook. Beer and vinegar are two popular water alternatives when steaming shrimp, lobster, and crab, as it provides additional flavor. You can also add different herbs and spices to the liquid to flavor the shellfish. Regardless of what solution you use, it’s recommended to use only about 2 inches of liquid, as this will help ensure it doesn’t go above the steam rack.

Seafood Boil

A seafood boil is ideal for making various platters at a time. With this technique, you can include several shellfish, along with vegetables—like potatoes, corn, and onions—and create several dishes. Since the food is placed directly in the water, you can add sausage to the mixture for a meatier dish. 

Seafood boils are popular because of how simple they are to craft delicious platters. Simply add your ingredients into the water—placing the items that require a longer cook time in first—bring the water to a boil, and once you’ve reached the desired cook time, drain the pot and enjoy your dinner.

 

 

Using the steam pot or the boil method is a great way to create a delicious dinner, but if you’d rather skip the hassle of cooking, visit Lolo’s Seafood Shack in Manhattan. With a fantastic selection of surf and turf, shrimp, seafood platters, and Caribbean food, you’re sure to find something you love. Make a reservation by calling (646) 649-3356 or browse their full menu online.