Lightened-Up Seafood Portofino Delight
Enjoy a healthier take on the beloved Seafood Portofino! This lighter version captures all the savory flavors of the original dish while reducing calories and fat. Featuring succulent shrimp, tender scallops, and juicy crawfish, all anchored by a rich and creamy sauce, this dish is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. The addition of fresh vegetables like broccoli and peas not only enhances the nutritional profile but also adds a pop of color and flavor. Serve this dish over perfectly cooked linguine for a satisfying meal that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
light butter
2 ounces (melted)
yellow onion
1/4 cup (1/4-inch diced)
garlic cloves
10 (minced)
clam juice
1/4 cup
white wine
1 cup
skim milk
1 cup
fat-free half-and-half
1/2 pint
shrimp stock
1 ounce (try using homemade or store-bought)
Old Bay Seasoning
1 teaspoon
cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
mushrooms
1 lb (sliced)
linguine
1 lb (precooked and hot)
fresh parsley
to taste (chopped, for garnish)
shrimp
2 lbs (peeled and deveined)
crawfish
1 lb (shelled)
scallops
1 lb
mussels
60 (cleaned and debearded)
peas
1-2 cups (optional)
broccoli
1-2 cups (optional, chopped)
Instructions
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### Prepare the Portofino Sauce:
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1. Gather and prep all ingredients: finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
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2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the light butter. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring frequently until the onion becomes soft and transparent, about 5 minutes.
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3. Pour in the white wine, increasing the heat to high and bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
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4. Stir in the clam juice, shrimp stock, and Old Bay Seasoning, mixing well.
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5. In a bowl, whisk together the skim milk and fat-free half-and-half. Gradually add the cornstarch (start with 1 tablespoon), stirring constantly. Slowly pour the milk mixture into the sauce while stirring, allowing it to thicken. Keep an eye on the consistency; for a thicker sauce, add more cornstarch.
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6. Once the sauce reaches your desired thickness, remove it from heat and set aside. This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen in ice cube trays for future use.
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### Prepare the Seafood Portofino:
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7. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium flame. Add the prepared mushrooms, cooking them for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
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8. Introduce the mussels to the pan, cooking for another 30 seconds until they start to open.
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9. Next, add the shrimp, crawfish, and scallops. Stir and cook until all seafood is heated through, approximately 3-4 minutes.
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10. Pour the prepared Portofino sauce into the pan, stirring gently until it bubbles throughout the mixture.
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11. Move the seafood and mushrooms to one side of the pan, creating space for the precooked hot linguine. Using tongs, toss the pasta in the sauce, ensuring it is well coated. Check that the mussels are fully open before serving.
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12. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy your healthier Seafood Portofino Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lightened-Up Seafood Portofino Delight?
It is a healthier version of the classic Seafood Portofino dish, featuring shrimp, scallops, crawfish, and mussels in a creamy sauce served over linguine, with reduced calories and fat.
What makes this version of Seafood Portofino lightened-up?
This version utilizes light butter, skim milk, and fat-free half-and-half instead of heavy cream and standard butter to reduce the overall fat and calorie content.
What types of seafood are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes four types of seafood: shrimp, scallops, crawfish, and mussels.
How do I prepare the Portofino sauce?
The sauce is made by sautéing onions and garlic in light butter, deglazing with white wine, and then adding clam juice, shrimp stock, and Old Bay seasoning. It is thickened with a mixture of skim milk, fat-free half-and-half, and cornstarch.
How long can the Portofino sauce be stored in the refrigerator?
The prepared Portofino sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can the Portofino sauce be frozen for later use?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce in ice cube trays for convenient future use.
How much garlic is needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 10 minced garlic cloves to provide a robust flavor.
What vegetables can I add to this seafood dish?
While mushrooms are part of the base recipe, you can also add 1-2 cups of optional peas or chopped broccoli for extra nutrition and color.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this dish?
The recipe recommends serving the seafood and sauce over 1 lb of precooked and hot linguine.
How do I thicken the sauce if it is too thin?
If the sauce hasn't reached your desired thickness, you can gradually add more cornstarch to the milk mixture while stirring constantly.
When should the mussels be added during the cooking process?
Add the mussels to the pan after the mushrooms have softened, cooking them for about 30 seconds before adding the rest of the seafood.
How long does it take to cook the seafood once it is in the pan?
The shrimp, crawfish, and scallops should be stirred and cooked for approximately 3-4 minutes until they are heated through.
What seasoning is used to give the sauce its distinct flavor?
Old Bay Seasoning is used to provide the classic seafood flavor profile for the Portofino sauce.
Do I need to clean the mussels before cooking?
Yes, the mussels should be cleaned and debearded prior to being added to the sauté pan.
What is the role of white wine in this recipe?
White wine is used to deglaze the pan after sautéing onions and garlic, adding acidity and depth of flavor to the sauce base.
Is shrimp stock required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of shrimp stock, which can be either homemade or store-bought, to enhance the seafood flavor of the sauce.
How do I know when the mussels are finished cooking?
Mussels are fully cooked and ready to serve once their shells have completely opened.
Can I use regular half-and-half instead of fat-free?
You can use regular half-and-half, but it will increase the fat and calorie content of the dish, moving away from the 'lightened-up' goal.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of yellow onion, diced into 1/4-inch pieces.
Should the shrimp be peeled before cooking?
Yes, the recipe specifies 2 lbs of shrimp that should be peeled and deveined before being added to the pan.
How is the linguine integrated into the dish?
After the seafood is cooked in the sauce, move it to one side of the pan and toss the precooked hot linguine in the sauce using tongs until well coated.
What garnish is suggested for Seafood Portofino?
Freshly chopped parsley is recommended as a garnish to add color and freshness before serving.
Can I substitute the light butter with olive oil?
While the recipe uses light butter for the sauce base and olive oil for sautéing the seafood, you could use olive oil for both, though the flavor profile of the sauce may change slightly.
Is clam juice necessary for the sauce?
Clam juice is a key ingredient for providing a savory, salty seafood base for the Portofino sauce.
How many mussels are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 60 cleaned and debearded mussels.
What should I do if some mussels do not open?
Any mussels that do not open after cooking should be discarded as they may not be safe to eat.
Is the crawfish used in this recipe shelled or whole?
The recipe uses 1 lb of shelled crawfish.
Can I use cornstarch directly in the hot sauce?
No, you should whisk the cornstarch into the cold milk and half-and-half mixture first to prevent clumping before adding it to the warm sauce.
How many ingredients are in the Lightened-Up Seafood Portofino Delight?
There are 20 ingredients listed in total, including optional vegetable additions.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, since the sauce can be made in advance and the seafood cooks quickly, it is a great option for organized home cooking.