Thanks to healthy Cajun seafood options, it is still possible to eat on the lighter side while enjoying the cuisine. While fried offerings such as shrimp and catfish are Cajun staples, so are boiled delicacies like shrimp, crab, crawfish, sausage, and more only they can come without the extra calories. When it comes to this type of meal, flavor is king and Cajun spices offer just that whether they are used in fried or boiled food preparation.
If you are thinking of hosting a Cajun seafood boil but are unsure what foods to offer and how to make enjoying the lighter side of seafood delicious, you are in the right place!
The Lighter Side of Cajun Seafood
Whether you are cooking up your own Cajun meal or ordering from a renowned restaurant like 7Spice Cajun, the amazing mouthwatering flavor comes largely from spices, not the frying process. This means that people on a diet can enjoy boiled seafood without missing out on the legendary flavor.
Some healthy Cajun seafood options to make a part of your meal can include:
Entrees
- Boiled Shrimp
- Boiled Snow Crab Legs
- Crawfish
- Etouffee
- Gumbo
- Sausage
Sides
- Egg
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the Cob
- Red Skin Potatoes
- Rice
- Toast
Dips
- 7Spice Butter
- Cocktail Sauce
- Ranch
- Remoulade Sauce
- Tartar Sauce
Offering different types of dips with boiled seafood can help take the taste up a notch for guests who want to splurge on the extra calories. So, don’t forget these when you are preparing or ordering your seafood.
Advantages of Healthy Cajun Seafood Options
There can be many advantages to eating healthy Cajun seafood options. For instance, shrimp is an excellent source of protein that is also low-calorie when it is not fried. Crab legs offer key vitamins like B12 and minerals such as copper and zinc. These are just two examples of the nutritional powerhouse of boiled seafood.
While it is still important to practice portion control, boiled seafood offers all the same nutrition as fried food, but without the guilt. This means consumers can make a healthier choice for their diet because of the low-calorie offerings of boiled seafood.
Even choosing boiled sides can contribute to healthier meal offerings. Foods like red potatoes and corn on the cob are high in fiber which can help promote good digestion. The vegetables in coleslaw are also full of fiber and potassium which are good for the body.
Benefits of Including Healthy Cajun Seafood Options at Your Next Seafood Boil
When it comes to Cajun seafood, everyone has a preference. Some prefer it fried while others either prefer it or their diet requires them to enjoy it boiled instead. In an effort to keep everybody’s tastebuds happy, it may be wise to offer both to guests.
If you plan to cook for a Cajun dinner, offering both fried and boiled versions of seafood can become overwhelming due to the preparation and cooking time they require. For those who love to cook, this is not a downside. For those who do not enjoy cooking, it can be a roadblock to an otherwise fantastic meal.
The easiest way to incorporate both fried and boiled seafood at your next gathering is to order from a restaurant who provides both types of offerings. This limits your time in the kitchen and lets you focus on making the meal a relaxing and fun-filled meal for everyone. As an added bonus, when you order food from an established Cajun restaurant, they often offer at least one type of chicken which is a good menu item to include in the event that you have a guest that does not like seafood.
One of the most important elements of an amazing seafood boil is to bring friends and family together for an enjoyable meal. If cooking healthy Cajun seafood options yourself fits the bill, then cook away. If ordering out makes the experience easier, then no one has to know…simply replate the food and dispose of the takeout containers.
What to Know If You Order Out
Ordering out healthy Cajun seafood options should not sacrifice taste or quality. For this reason, it is critical to do your homework before placing the order.
Look for a restaurant that has been cooking up Cajun seafood for years and has both experience and rave reviews. Ensure that they offer high quality in their food selection, preparation, and cooking processes. The provider should offer food on a made-to-order basis so that it is tantalizingly fresh.
In addition to making good, quality food, the restaurant you choose to order from should also offer excellent customer service by dedicated employees. Providers who have multiple locations may signal success within the community.
After your research for a Cajun seafood restaurant is complete, order a meal for yourself to enjoy. Your own taste buds can have the final verdict.
Hosting your friends and family with healthy Cajun seafood options is the perfect way to show how much you love them. There is no better time to start planning than today.