Have A Super Bowl Seafood Feast With Anderson Seafoods! Review and $200 GIVEAWAY! 2/3

I know what you may be thinking. I can hear you now. "But Brandy, you say all the time that you don't eat seafood, and now you're reviewing it? What's the deal?" Well, one of the things I have made it a priority to do in 2012 is to try new things. I am, and always have been, the pickiest eater around. I don't eat onions, peanut butter, eggs, breakfast foods, sweets, and the list goes on and on...I think there are more things I don't eat than things I DO eat, to be honest!

For the past 2 decades, seafood was at the top of my "Will Not Eat List." Why? Blame it on childhood! One year, we went to my Granny's house for some sort of family gathering. Everyone brought a dish, and food was served buffet style. I got what I thought was spaghetti. (What little kid doesn't like spaghetti?) Anyway, as I started eating my pasta dish, I noticed something rubbery and really chewy in my mouth. I took it out of my mouth, and noticed, this thing had tentacles! It was squid, hidden cleverly in my pasta. I immediately freaked out, and swore off seafood for what I thought would be the rest of my life.

My irrational aversion to all things seafood has been one of my husband's major annoyances for the past several years. He loves seafood, but I am never willing to buy it. Sure, I have bought frozen fish sticks and fillets for the kids, but this does not qualify as being the "real" seafood my husband tends to crave so often.

Since it happens to be a New Year, I have decided to throw my inhibitions out of the window and try something new for once. My husband's first request to test my bravery? He wants to have a Super Bowl party with a few friends, and he wants a seafood menu. I am a huge football fan, and while my team played horribly this year and didn't even make it to the Playoffs, I do watch the Super Bowl. So I quickly agreed to his suggestion, and started hunting for the BEST seafood I could find. After all, if I was going to try something new, I may as well start with the best, right?

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That's when I discovered Anderson Seafoods. Anderson Seafoods has been in the business of providing top quality seafoods to consumers longer than I have been alive! Since 1979, this California based, family owned company has been a leader in their field by providing premium seafood products and superior service to their valued customers in the most sustainable and innovative ways.

Yes, I said sustainable! All seafood companies are not created equal. Anderson Seafoods is a company with a conscience, and they care about the environmental impact of the fishing industry. Sustainable seafood is seafood from either fished or farmed sources that can maintain or increase production in the future without jeopardizing the ecosystems and communities from which it was acquired. Anderson Seafoods sources from suppliers who have this  same vision and encourage those who do not, to have a better vision and become more sustainable. Anderson Seafoods is serious about its eco-impact. They do not do business with suppliers that overfish, deplete fish stocks or destroy their habitat. They have even partnered with the Aquarium of the Pacific in the SEAFOOD FOR THE FUTURE program, which will help support sustainable fishing practices by educating suppliers, and will also ensure healthier oceans for generations to come. As an eco-conscious consumer, this is something I can feel good about supporting!

In addition to Anderson Seafood's commitment to the environment, they also offer a huge selection of products sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, like myself! They have a wide variety of fish, crab, and even lobster. This company knows their seafood, and even supplies some of the top restaurants in the country! So if you've ever had a seafood dish that just melted in your mouth and made you have a "Food-Gasm", chances are, it came from Anderson Seafoods.

For those who cannot cook like an Iron Chef, they even offer some tasty looking, pre-made entrees that are prepared by expert chefs and guaranteed to be fresh. All of their products are of the highest quality, and if ordered online, will reach your doorstep the next day! They even have a "countdown timer" on their website that will let you know just how long you have to order to receive your seafood fresh the next morning. How cool is that?!

The awesome, and I do mean awesome, folks at Anderson Seafoods sent me a generous selection of their premium seafood to review with my family. I received some HUGE Alaskan King Crab Legs, Fijian Opah, Chilean Seabass, Lump Crab Meat for some yummy crab cakes, and even some much coveted Ahi Tuna, to name a few. (Is your mouth watering yet?!) All of these products arrived on my doorstep the very next morning, via UPS, and were incredibly well-packaged. Anderson Seafoods guarantees the freshness of their products, and the fish arrived vacuum sealed and on dry ice, so the quality was not at all compromised, despite its overnight trip from the west coast!

When my husband got home from work, he was like a little kid at Christmas. Since we never have seafood, he was drooling over the selection that we received from Anderson Seafoods. He was very impressed by the visible quality of the products as well. All of the fish came expertly filleted, and the pieces were a very generous 8oz in size. You can even tell the quality of the fish by its physical appearance. The Ahi was a nice, bright red. The Chilean Sea Bass? A rich, white color. And the Yellowtail? A nice, buttery yellow.The Alaskan King Crab Legs? HUGE! I am talking about 2 feet long here, and full of delectable crab meat! These products looked so much fresher than anything you'd find at the grocery store. As a matter of fact, they looked just like they came fresh out of their native waters. No discoloration, no offensive odors, just fresh, beautiful seafood!

I immediately got to work planning my Super Bowl Seafood Menu. I wanted to come up with a few dishes, both appetizers as well as more substantial offerings, that would be perfect for game day! I have made a few dishes over the past few days that will be absolutely perfect!

Here are a couple of things I will be serving during the Big Game!

ALASKAN KING CRAB LEGS:

These were a no-brainer. Any seafood afficianado will tell you, Alaskan King Crabs are the best of the best. When buying from Anderson Seafoods, these legs are pre-cooked to ensure maximum freshness, and only need to be reheated.

I steamed some of the King Crab Legs for about 5-8 minutes, and I served them with a sauce made from clarified butter, a touch of fresh lemon, and some minced garlic. Easy, peasy! I have never actually had crab legs before, so I was eager to try the King of all crabs. My husband dove in first, and he immediately started moaning with delight and telling me, while his mouth was full, that this was the absolute best crab he has ever had, anywhere. He even went as far as to say that he would trade his truck for a pile of Anderson Seafoods Alaskan King Crab of equal weight! He totally forgot about the dipping sauce, and ate them as is, right out of the legs. When I reminded him about the sauce he shooed it away, swearing they didn't even need it. I am a firm believer that butter makes everything better, so I was kind of shocked that he was turning it down.

Then he handed me a crab leg to try. After seeing his reaction to the crab, I did not hesitate to try some myself. All I can say is WOW! The meat inside of this gigantic legs was tender, moist, and buttery in flavor. There was even a hint of sweetness to the meat. These were not overly "fishy" tasting at all, and literally melted in our mouths. I think it's safe to say, I LIKED the Alaskan King Crab. Me...The one who NEVER eats seafood! I was very pleasantly surprised, to say the least!

So I will be serving these at our Super Bowl Party, perhaps in a salad. (Although they are basically perfection as-is!)

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AHI TUNA, 2 WAYS. RECIPES INCLUDED!

The next thing we tried was the Ahi Tuna. I wanted to try a couple different preparation methods with the Ahi: A raw, appetizer dish as well as a grilled steak dish. I have to admit, I was not quite brave enough to personally try the raw dish, but my husband loved it! I did try the Ahi Steak, though, and was again completely blown away. I remember having canned tuna as a kid, and I did not like it. Let me assure you: Ahi Tuna is NOTHING like the nasty, cat-food-esque stuff you find in a can at your local grocery store. The Ahi Tuna from Anderson Seafoods was meaty, moist, and incredibly flavorful. I almost didn't realize I was eating fish! My husband again raved about the quality and said it was the best he's ever had. (Noticing a trend here?) I guess that's what happens when you order from the best!

Here are the recipes I used to create these oh-so-amazing Ahi Tuna dishes! Try them for your Game Day get-together and wow your guests!

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Southwestern Ahi Tuna Tartare:
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon high-quality olive oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 pounds Anderson Seafoods Fresh Ahi Tuna, diced
• 1/4 cup roasted corn, chilled
  
• 3 tablespoons capers, drained
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
• 1/4 cup sliced pitted black olives
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
  
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• Corn tostadas or tortilla chips

Directions:



In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce and lime juice.

Add the diced tuna, corn, capers, sesame seeds, olives, jalapeno, red pepper,and cilantro. Carefully toss to combine.

Divide the tartare between 4 chilled serving bowls and serve with tostadas or tortilla chips.

Cook's Note: For easier slicing, freeze the tuna for 15 minutes.

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Grilled Ahi Tuna Steaks With Lime-Honey Glaze:
Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup high quality olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 8oz Anderson Seafoods Fresh Ahi Tuna fillets
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Directions:


In a medium bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, garlic, ginger, and 1/4 cup cilantro. Add tuna fillets, and turn to coat evenly. Let marinate for several hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. In a small bowl, mix together honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons cilantro; set aside.

When grill is hot, reduce heat to low, and place tuna fillets on grate. Close lid, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip fillets over carefully, and close lid again for another minute to sear fish. Open lid, and continue cooking until barely done, basting frequently with marinade. When fish is almost cooked through, brush the honey glaze over both sides of fish, and remove from grill.Note: These steaks are best served medium-rare for best flavor. Can serve with rice, fresh veggies, and more!


Overall, I am absolutely thrilled with the selection of seafood we received from Anderson Seafoods. These products arrived lightning-fast, super-fresh, and are the highest quality seafoods available on the market today. The staff at Anderson Seafoods really cares about the satisfaction of their customers, and Alberto has been a joy to work with. I must admit, having never really eaten seafood, I didn't know what to expect from my Anderson Seafoods experience. (Except a VERY happy hubby!) I am so glad I decided to try these awesome products, because I have found I actually LIKE seafood! Who knew?! The only thing I am worried about? That Anderson Seafoods has spoiled other seafood for me. When you start off by trying the best, I am afraid that other seafood will pale in comparison!

I am definitely looking forward to finding more creative dishes to serve during our Super Bowl party! I am very excited about it, and I know that after trying all of these delicious products, our guests won't want to go home after the game. I know I will be re-stocking soon, since we were so completely blown away by the taste and quality of these products. Ordering fresh seafood online has never been easier, and products arrive the very next day at the absolute peak of freshness. As a matter of fact, the seafood from Andersons is generally around a whole week fresher than anything you'll find at the grocery store! Add to that their amazing customer service and commitment to sustainability, and you have an enthusiastic thumbs up from this family!


BUY IT:

You can check out the awesomeness that is Anderson Seafoods on their website, or click the banner below for super-easy ordering, just in time for the Big Game!

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You can also follow Anderson Seafoods on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

WIN IT!

Want to have your own Super Bowl Seafood Feast? Well, the generous folks at Anderson Seafoods want to make Game Day extra special for one of my lucky readers!

One of you will win a $200 GIFT CERTIFICATE to Anderson Seafoods, just in time for the Big Game! Just think of the amazing dishes you'll be able to prepare for all of the hungry football fans in your home! WOW!

Thanks so much to the amazing folks at Anderson Seafoods for such a fantastic giveaway!

Please use this easy Rafflecopter form to enter.


This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 12:00AM on February 2, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

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