Alaska Seafood Research Reinforces 'Cook It Frozen' Message

In advance of the all-important holiday seafood season, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has released new research about Americans’ seafood consumption along with "Cook It Frozen!" techniques and recipe ideas designed to help consumers easily prepare a quick, healthy meal in under 15 minutes.

Among the key findings of the ASMI-commissioned research, a better understanding of how to prepare frozen seafood may be key to helping consumers achieve the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation to eat two servings of seafood per week. Currently, approximately 80 to 90 percent of Americans fall short of this goal, according to the USDA.

Other compelling points from the recent ASMI survey include:

• Among seafood eaters, 71 percent are likely to purchase frozen seafood.
• Awareness of being able to cook frozen seafood without thawing is divided with 51 percent aware and 49 percent unaware.
• Among those who said they are aware, a strong majority (69 percent) have already tried it.
• Overall, 62 percent said they are likely to cook frozen seafood if they have preparation tips and recipes.

Given these results, the Juneau, Alaska-based ASMI has developed time-saving, convenient Cook It Frozen! techniques, enabling home cooks to easily prepare a quick, healthy meal without preplanning and thawing seafood before cooking.

ASMI’s website, showcases videos and cooking techniques that teach how to sauté, pan-sear, pan-steam, roast, broil, steam, poach or grill frozen Alaska seafood to create a healthy meal in as little as 15 minutes. The site features more than 100 recipes to provide inspiration for everything from soups and salads to appetizers and entrees such as:

• Bronzed Alaska Salmon in a Butter Wine Sauce
• Cod with Kale Pesto and Tomato Jam
• Pan-Steamed Alaska Seafood Marseilles
• Fast & Spicy Alaska Halibut

Nearly 60 percent of all seafood harvested in the U.S. comes from Alaska. Known for its wild salmon, crab and whitefish varieties, Alaska preserves much of the fresh catch immediately after it leaves the icy water by rapidly chilling the catch, then commercially flash freezing at well below zero, to ensure it remains at the peak of freshness while locking in the best quality and flavor.

To reinforce its "Cook It Frozen!" message, ASMI recently hosted cooking demos at more than 600 retail locations throughout October.