I think we can actually declare spring has sprung.  And with that, it is officially the beginning of grilling season.

It might not be warm enough to break out the shorts and flip-flops, but it’s time to get those grills fired up.

We know that eating seafood, like fish and shrimp, is a good thing to do.  But standing at the seafood counter can be intimidating.

When grilling, most turn to beef, chicken and pork because they feel comfortable cooking them, not realizing how easy it is to grill seafood.

Cooking seafood, especially fish, provides healthy protein that cooks even quicker than most meats.

Since the launch of Hy-Vee’s Responsible Choice seafood program, you can feel good about purchasing seafood from our stores, knowing we only purchase seafood from sustainable sources.

Here are some tips to make your seafood grilling quick and easy:

•Place fish in a grill basket or wrap in aluminum foil to prevent it from sticking to the grill.

•Only turn fish and seafood once, halfway through the cooking time.

•When preparing shellfish such as clams, mussels and oysters, you’ll know they are done cooking when the shells start to open.

•When grilling shrimp, bigger is better. Jumbo shrimp (about 12-15 pieces per pound) will serve you best when preparing shrimp on a skewer or directly on the grill.

Salmon Grilled in Foil Recipe

Serves 4

All you need

•4 salmon filets (4 ounces each)

•2 tablespoons olive oil

•1 teaspoon sea salt

•1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

•1 small onion, cut into rings, divided

•16 cherry tomatoes, divided

All you do

1. Brush salmon filets, on both sides, with olive oil.

2. Place salmon, skin-side down, on a double-thickness of heavy-duty foil (a size of about 12 inches by 18 inches).

3. Sprinkle salt and pepper over salmon, then top with onion and tomatoes.

4. Fold foil over fish and seal tightly.

5.  Grill, covered, over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Nutrition per serving:  320 calories, 22 g fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 60 mg cholesterol, 630 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 24 g protein.  Vitamin A 15%, Vitamin C 30%, Calcium 2%, Iron 4%

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