Benefits of Eating Fish

Cooking with Fish

There are numerous benefits to eating fish on a regular basis. From preventing depression and dementia to keeping your heart health on par — the fact of the matter is that eating fish twice a week can save you a lot of trouble as you grow older.

But the reality is that many people steer clear of this type of food, especially seafood because they might have heard that the risks of food poisoning upon consuming dishes made with these ingredients are rather high. That might be true, but if you cook your own fish and seafood recipes, you will know for sure that you have used the right temperature so as to avoid getting yourself and those you care about sick.

Is cooking with fish complicated?

Unlike meat and poultry, fish has a different consistency, which means that you need to use gentler methods of cooking. It can be grilled, fried, or baked, and the best thing about fish especially is that it cooks fast. Serving it is also simple because you’ll often need a bit of lemon and maybe some fresh parsley if you really want to be fancy.

Seasonings

Both some seafood dishes and fish courses call for the same seasonings. You can use chili, ginger, as well as many herbs and lemon. You can add a tomato-based sauce or vinegar, too. There are mixes of condiments available these days, and they are formulated especially for fish.

Overcooking

Unfortunately, due to the texture of the meat of fish, you might risk overcooking it. Raw fish is somewhat translucent, but it has a solid color when it is adequately cooked. When it comes to preparing this type of food, it’s more of a trial and error kind of business than anything else.

You’ll notice that, when the heat has penetrated its core, and the meat has been cooked, the fish will turn flaky. The one that’s overdone is too dry. If you’re ever feeling unsure about whether the meal is ready, it’s better to turn off the heat and allow the fish to cook using its internal temperature and that of the pan.

How can you tell if the fish is fresh?

If you have the opportunity to buy fresh fish instead of frozen one, don’t hesitate to do so. There are several basic guidelines to stick to, though. If the fish is fresh, you’ll notice that its gills are red and its eyes are shiny and clear. The skin on the fish body also has to be tight and firm. As for the smell, many folks think that fish should smell fishy, but the fact is that any fresh one will remind you of an ocean breeze more than a stench per se.

Besides, there’s always the method of testing whether the fish is fresh by giving a small piece to one of your feline friends. Just make sure that no bits are dropped or left in one of the funny beds for cats you might have in your home.