Cooking seafood doesn’t have to be difficult.  During the summer, I love the fresh, smoky taste of marinated grilled shrimp, though it can be intimidating to grill. Here’s one of my favorite recipes because it’s a bounty of fresh ingredients and shrimp that has already been flame-grilled and perfectly seasoned.  It is also packed with nutrients and adds Latin flavor to the dish.

According to the new USDA Dietary Guidelines, Americans should consume two servings of seafood a week to help fight obesity and improve overall health. Although seafood is a natural source of lean protein,  healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc and vitamins, A, B, and D, many people still don’t eat enough of it.

Here are some tips for eating more delicious, nutritious seafood:

• Get creative. Add a grilled salmon fillet to salad instead of chicken, use flame-grilled tilapia instead of ground beef in tacos and toss grilled shrimp with pasta.

• Introduce kids to fish early.  Start with something that’s easy to hold such as fish sticks and offer dipping sauces like salsa, BBQ sauce of ketchup for extra flavor.

• Add nutrient dense foods like leafy greens, lentils and other beans to your seafood dishes to make the most out of your meal—delivering a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals without adding any fat.

For more ideas and seafood recipes, visit www.gortons.com.

Mini Tostadas with Guacamole and Shrimp

4-6 Servings (12 mini tortillas)

Ingredients:

1 (8oz.) package Gorton’s Classic Grilled Shrimp

4 ripe avocados

2 tablespoons lime juice (or the juice of 1/2 lime)

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Salt to taste

10-12 mini tortillas (about 3″diameter), toasted or round tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Prepare Gorton’s Classic Grilled Shrimp according to package instructions.

2. In a medium bowl gently mash avocado pulp with a fork.

3. Add lime juice, cilantro and salt. Fold gently.

4. To assemble tostadas, place mini tortillas on a serving platter and divide guacamole among all the tortillas.

5. Top each prepared tortilla with one prepared Gorton’s Classic Grilled Shrimp. Remove shrimp tail for easier eating.

Sylvia Meléndez Klinger, a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, is founder of Hispanic Food Communications, a food communications and culinary consulting company based in Hinsdale, Ill. She is Hispanic and uses her in-depth culinary and cultural expertise to introduce new strategies for wellness to an increasingly health-conscious Hispanic population. For more on her, go to hispanicfoodcommunications.com.