Coalition connects on-the-go seafood fans with new Gulf Coast seafood finder mobile app
October is National Seafood Month, and the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition is making it easier than ever to celebrate by enjoying Gulf of Mexico seafood favorites with its new Gulf Coast seafood finder mobile app. Whether it’s baked, broiled, blackened or grilled, finding flavorful wild-caught Gulf Coast seafood at a market, restaurant or wholesaler is now just a “touch” away.
Available on iPhone and Android mobile devices, the Gulf Coast seafood finder mobile app provides consumers with the latest listing of retail stores, restaurants and wholesalers that carry Gulf Coast seafood. The mobile app allows users to search by state, city and/or zip code as well as by species (crab, finfish, oysters and shrimp). Just in time for National Seafood Month, the mobile app also acts as a virtual recipe book providing everything from appetizers to entrees ideas for the next gathering. Additionally, fans will receive seasonality information to ensure they are serving the freshest, wild-caught, premium seafood available.
“National Seafood Month is observed to remind Americans to consume the recommended amount of seafood, which is at least two servings a week, promote sustainable fishing and encourage home-chefs to overcome the intimidation of preparing seafood at home,” said Joanne McNeely, Seafood Marketing Coordinator for the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition. “Now with the Gulf Coast Seafood finder mobile app, on-the-go Gulf Coast seafood enthusiasts can easily locate their favorite Gulf Coast seafood menu item as well as download quick seafood cooking tips and recipes.”
With the help of the Gulf states’ seafood marketing agencies, the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition will update the finder database on an ongoing basis. Retailers, restaurants and wholesalers that are unlisted but supply Gulf Coast seafood can add themselves to the finder by visiting www.eatgulfseafood.com and going to the “find it” page or by adding it directly through the app. Gulf Seafood consumers can also add their favorite business to the database by doing the same.
As October typically provides a respite from the heat along the Gulf Coast, warm up this National Seafood Month and celebrate with Corn and Gulf Coast Blue Crab Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips, a sample recipe of what can be found on the recipe finder app.
Corn and Gulf Coast Blue Crab Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips
Provided by Fresh from Florida Gulf Seafood
Ingredients
12 ounces Gulf Coast Blue Crab meat
3 ½ cups corn kernels cut from about 6 medium ears of corn
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
1 ½ cups onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper small, seeded and minced
5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
¼ teaspoon chili powder
1 lime, zest half and squeeze the whole lime for juice
½ cup cilantro, chopped
2 cups crispy corn tortilla strips
TT kosher salt
TT pepper, freshly ground
Directions
- Melt butter or heat olive oil in a large, heavy pot. Stir in onion, garlic and jalapeño, and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned, about six to seven minutes.
- Stir in corn and cook until the corn is lightly browned, about five minutes. Add broth, chili powder and simmer until corn is tender, about 15 minutes. Lightly season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer half of the soup into a blender or food processor, and puree until almost smooth. Add the blended soup back into the unblended soup, and stir to combine.
- Add the lime juice and zest, crab meat and cilantro to the soup and bring to a boil. Serve hot and garnish with tortilla strips.
The Coalition – comprised of the Gulf States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida – provides a unified vision to promote Gulf Coast seafood, truly allowing a “rising tide to lift all boats” approach.
About Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition
The Coalition provides a framework for the seafood community to coordinate marketing efforts among the Gulf States with emphasis on working with tourism boards, restaurants, retailers and chefs. The Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc. is coordinating the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition through funding provided by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (NOAA Award #NA10NMF4770481). For more information, please visit www.eatgulfseafood.com and follow the Coalition on Facebook and Twitter.
About Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation is a private, regional nonprofit research organization with a general membership and Board of Trustees representing a wide spectrum of the commercial fishing industry throughout the southeast U.S. Through the Foundation, the commercial seafood and fishing industry can collectively identify industry needs, and address those needs through appropriate research and other activities. Representing the nine-state region from Virginia to Texas, the Foundation has sponsored more than 600 fisheries related research projects.
For more information, please visit www.gulfsouthfoundation.org
