Fish Facts
Okay, you have determined you should eat more fish. That is
one big step taken - but where do you go from there? And what
if you are not a "fish person"? How do you select
a good piece of fish in the market, or how do you prepare it
so it's not only tasty, but also fun to eat? To help you along
this "fish journey", here are some tips to take the
worry out of buying, preparing and eating fish.
Whole Fish
Look for one with red or pink gills and bright, clear eyes
that are slightly protruding. Gray, sagging gills and sunken,
pink and cloudy eyes are signs that the fish is anything but
fresh.
Fillets or Steaks
Check their aroma before you buy. They should not smell "fishy".
Fish should smell like the ocean or a clean pond if it is
from fresh water. This goes for whole fish as well.
Fresh or Frozen
The choice is yours. But be aware that breaded and seasoned
frozen fish has much more fat, calories and sodium than non-breaded
and unseasoned frozen or fresh fish.
Preparing Fish
Baking rule-of-thumb: Measure fish at the thickest part and
bake ten minutes at 375-degrees for every inch of thickness.
To bake fish, lay it on a bed of thinly sliced or chopped
vegetables such as onions, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes
or parsley. Top the fish with any seasonings that appeal to
you. The fish will not stick to your baking dish and it will
taste delicious.
Baking fish in milk (pour a small amount in the bottom of
the baking dish) helps to remove some of the fishy taste.
Eliminating Fish Odor
Clean cutting boards and utensils with soap and hot water.
You can also rub them with sliced lemon.
To remove fish smell from your hands, pour some vinegar on
your hands, rub them together and rinse well. Rubbing your
hands with a lemon wedge or salt and water also works well.
While your fish is cooking, simmer two tablespoons of vinegar
in two cups of water, or try simmering cinnamon, cloves and
orange slices. |
