From Sea to Table

How to Prepare Your Village Seafood

Simple, foolproof methods for bringing out the best in every cut - straight from the people who source it.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guides

Each guide below is tailored to the exact product you ordered. When in doubt, keep it simple - great seafood doesn't need much.

Lobster Tails

Best Method: Broiled
  • 1

    Thaw completely. Refrigerator overnight, or cold water bowl for 30-60 min.

  • 2

    Cut the shell. Use kitchen shears to cut straight down the center of the top shell - stop before the tail fin. Don't cut the meat.

  • 3

    Open and lift. Gently spread the shell open and lift the meat up to sit on top, keeping it attached at the base.

  • 4

    Season. Brush with melted butter, garlic, and a pinch of salt and paprika.

  • 5

    Broil. Place 6-8" from the broiler. Cook 1 minute per ounce. Done when opaque and internal temp hits 140F.

Pro TipA squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving makes all the difference.

King Crab Legs

Best Method: Steamed
  • 1

    Thaw. Overnight in the fridge, or cold water for 20-30 min.

  • 2

    Prep the pot. Add 1-2 inches of water and a few lemon slices. Bring to a boil.

  • 3

    Steam. Place crab legs on a rack above the water. Cover and steam 5-7 minutes.

  • 4

    Crack and serve immediately with clarified butter and lemon wedges.

Pro TipKing crab is pre-cooked - you're just reheating. Don't overcook or the texture suffers.

Snow Crab Legs

Best Method: Boiled
  • 1

    Thaw. Refrigerator overnight, or cold running water for 20-30 minutes.

  • 2

    Season the water. Add Old Bay, salt, lemon halves, and garlic. Bring to a rolling boil.

  • 3

    Boil. Add crab legs and cook 4-5 minutes to heat through and infuse flavor.

  • 4

    Serve with melted butter, lemon, and your favorite sides.

Pro TipAdd a beer or two to the boil for a classic Low Country feel.

U-10 Dry Scallops

Best Method: Pan-Seared
  • 1

    Thaw and dry. Thaw in the refrigerator. Pat completely dry - this is the most important step.

  • 2

    Remove the muscle. Peel off the small, tough side muscle if present.

  • 3

    Season. Salt and pepper both sides just before cooking.

  • 4

    Sear hot and fast. Cast iron over high heat until smoking. Add butter and oil. Sear 2-3 min per side - don't touch them. Get a deep golden crust.

Pro Tip"Dry" scallops are essential for a proper sear. Our U-10s are always dry-packed.

Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp

Best Method: Garlic Butter Saute
  • 1

    Thaw and dry. Cold running water 15-20 min, or overnight in the fridge. Pat completely dry.

  • 2

    Peel and devein. Remove shells and veins. Leave tails on if preferred.

  • 3

    Season. Toss with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika.

  • 4

    Cook. Melt butter in a hot skillet, add garlic 30 sec, add shrimp in a single layer - 2 min per side until pink and curled.

Pro TipFinish with fresh lemon and parsley. Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

Calamari - Tubes & Tentacles

Best Method: Flash-Fried or Grilled
  • 1

    Thaw and dry. Refrigerator overnight. Pat completely dry.

  • 2

    Slice. Cut tubes into 1/2-inch rings for frying, or leave whole for grilling.

  • 3

    For fried: Dredge in seasoned flour. Fry in 375F oil for 2-3 min until golden. Don't overcrowd.

  • 4

    For grilled: Toss in olive oil, lemon zest, herbs. Grill over high heat 2 min per side.

Pro TipThe rule with calamari: 2 minutes or 45 minutes. Anything in between = rubbery.

Norwegian Organic Salmon

Best Method: Pan-Seared or Baked
  • 1

    Thaw. In the refrigerator overnight. Rest at room temp 15 min before cooking.

  • 2

    Pat dry and season. Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.

  • 3

    Pan sear. Hot oven-safe skillet, skin-side down, 4 min. Flip, finish in 400F oven 5-7 min. Internal temp 125-130F (medium).

  • 4

    Rest 2 minutes before serving with lemon butter.

Pro TipNorwegian organic salmon's high fat content means it stays moist even if slightly overdone.

Wild Caught Swordfish

Best Method: Grilled
  • 1

    Thaw and dry. Refrigerator overnight. Pat steaks dry.

  • 2

    Marinate 30 min. Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.

  • 3

    Grill hot. Well-oiled grates, high heat. 4-5 min per side. Internal temp 145F.

  • 4

    Finish with lemon caper butter or fresh herb salsa verde.

Pro TipSwordfish is meaty - it holds up great on the grill. Don't be afraid of good grill marks.

Chilean Sea Bass

Best Method: Pan-Roasted
  • 1

    Thaw and dry. Fridge overnight. Pat very dry.

  • 2

    Season simply. Salt, pepper, light coat of olive oil. Sea bass is rich - it doesn't need much.

  • 3

    Sear skin-side down. Medium-high heat, oven-safe skillet. Press lightly with a spatula. Cook 5-6 min until skin is golden and crisp.

  • 4

    Finish in oven. Flip, transfer to 400F oven 5-7 min. Internal 135-140F. Rest 2 min.

Pro TipChilean sea bass has high fat content - it stays moist even if slightly overdone.

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