Description
A vibrant and crispy Mediterranean seafood salad featuring a delightful mix of shrimp, calamari, and scallops, fried to golden perfection and served atop fresh salad greens with a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. This light and healthy dish blends crunchy textures and bold Mediterranean flavors for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood & Coating
- 12 oz mixed seafood (shrimp, calamari, small scallops)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, radicchio)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the seafood: Rinse and pat dry the shrimp, calamari, and scallops thoroughly to remove excess moisture for optimal crispiness during frying.
- Create the coating mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Coat the seafood: Dredge each piece of seafood in the coating mixture, ensuring every piece is thoroughly covered for a flavorful and crispy crust.
- Fry the seafood: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the seafood for approximately 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once done, transfer the seafood onto paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss to mix all the fresh ingredients.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
- Toss the salad with dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to evenly coat all the ingredients with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve: Arrange the crispy fried seafood atop the dressed salad. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for garnish and serve immediately to enjoy the perfect contrast of textures and vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour and cornmeal with gluten-free breadcrumbs or chickpea flour.
- Add toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for an extra crunchy texture.
- For a spicier flavor, incorporate a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes into the coating mixture or the dressing.
- Best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crispiness of the seafood.
