Surimi cuts cost of seafood

Fish counter prices can make fresh seafood salad seem like an extravagance. But you can whip up a great batch while saving a few clams.

This Curried Couscous and Faux Seafood Salad uses inexpensive surimi ("formed fish" in Japanese), which is sold as imitation crab, lobster, shrimp and scallops. It is widely available in the seafood section of most grocers.

This seafood product " which is made from mild, white fish such as pollock " does a wonderful job standing in for the real deal at a fraction of the cost (usually just $2 to $3 per pound).

The couscous is cooked in bottled clam juice, which gives the salad an extra boost of fresh, ocean flavor.

This budget seafood salad can be prepared for less than $1.75 per serving. Add some salad greens and crunchy breadsticks to make it a meal.

CURRIED COUSCOUS AND FAUX SEAFOOD SALAD

Start to finish: 35 minutes

Servings: 6

1⁄4 cup olive oil

1⁄4 cup lemon juice

11⁄2 teaspoons curry powder

1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin

1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper

8-ounce bottle clam juice

1⁄2 cup water

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1 cup couscous

2 cups snow peas, stems and strings removed, halved

1 pound imitation crab, lobster or scallops, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 small red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced

1 bunch of scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced crosswise

1⁄4 cup sliced almonds

1⁄4 cup raisins (optional)

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, curry powder, cumin and pepper. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine the clam juice, water and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous. When the mixture returns to a boil, cover the pan and remove it from the heat. Let stand until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 minutes.

Fluff the couscous with a fork and spread it on a baking sheet to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the snow peas and cook for 1 minute. Drain and rinse under cold water.

In a large bowl, combine the snow peas, imitation crab, red bell pepper, scallions, almonds and raisins (if using). Add the cooled couscous and reserved dressing and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 327 calories; 109 calories from fat; 12 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 16 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrate; 12 g protein; 5 g fiber; 925 mg sodium.