Seafood & Meat: The Perfect Coastal Marriage

We’ve all heard the term Surf ‘N Turf. Why the combination of meat and seafood on a single plate was born is fairly obvious: The two complement one another in taste and texture, pleasing the palate of diners yearning for both. Less clear, however, is the pairings’ origin.

The First Encounter

If you believe the East Coast version, it started from a newspaper advertisement that ran in the Lowell Sun in Lowell, MA, January 1, 1966, promoting “a Champagne Surf ‘N Turf dinner” that partnered filet mignon with baked Alaskan crab legs.

However, many a West coaster will argue that, in fact, the dish made its debut in Seattle, Washington in the restaurant on top of the Seattle Space Needle, where the two were first served in 1962 during the World’s Fair.

Whichever coastal tale you favor, the fact remains that the duet’s popularity has prevailed, as they continue to grace plates from casual eateries to top-notch fine dining establishments and in every imaginable form—from simple matches of calamari with sliced tenderloin to fancier fares, such as beef tornados plus shrimp scampi.

While vital to a good meal, taste alone it not the only factor keeping this couple together.

A Healthy Relationship

When it comes to health, little beats the nutritional value of coupling meat and seafood. On the “Surf” side of the partnership, besides being tasty, well-suited to diverse cooking methods and offering a broad selection—from tuna to branzino and so much in between—seafood contains high levels of Omega-3s, which are touted for preventing heart disease, high blood pressure, even cancer while lowering arthritic joint inflammation and helping fortify the immune system. Fish is also low in “bad” fat and calories and high in “good” fat and protein.

On the “Turf” side, as little as 3 ounces supplies the average adult’s daily need for 6 ounces of protein—the amino acids required to rejuvenate body tissue, build muscle and keep hunger at bay, a huge plus for those on diets. Red meat also provides plentiful amounts of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, a combination that helps red blood cells function normally, builds muscles, boosts the immune system, and keeps your brain operating.

Given all these benefits, it should come as no surprise that no matter where they first met, more than half a century later, this marriage is still going strong.