Seafood

For as long as man has walked the earth, the ocean has been a hunting ground for food. Salmon, tuna, whitefish or crab, they've been the staple of the human diet since the beginning of time, and most regard seafood as the root of fusion food as we know it. No matter where you are in the world, you'll come across seafood restaurants – be it a throbbing port city on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, or an inland metropolis like Las Vegas. The beauty of seafood is its flexibility, giving way to amazing regional and continental variations. Asian cuisine weaves the pungent flavors of delicacies such as squid and shrimp, with staples like rice and oyster sauce for simple, yet delicious dishes including shrimp fried rice and Szechuan squid. Mediterranean gastronomy is regarded one of the most seafood reliant in the world, owing to its geographical positioning beside the temperate Iberian and Mediterranean Seas. Spanish Salpicon de Marisco combines the light delicacy of octopus meat with stronger flavors of whitefish or trout for a tasty salad base. The fish is served on a bed of olives, bell peppers and tomatoes, then drizzled with olive oil and herbs prior to chilling. Mexican seafood recipes are a surprising contrast to Spain, despite the fact Mexico was dominated by Hispanic conquistadors for two consecutive Centuries. Pescado Almendrado (from Acapulco) is a light, baked dish not dissimilar in aesthetics to paella. Red Snapper is the fish of choice, combined with layers of blanched almonds, queso Chihuahua cheese, crème fraiche and jalapenos. It takes less than 15 minutes to bake, making it a popular menu choice within Mexican restaurants. Seafood restaurants of any origin are a great way to develop an understanding of food culture and epicureans of fine dining can now find even the most obscure cultural delicacies, amid the fast food fayre of America's big cities. Check out our guide for some of Las Vegas' tasty temptations!