The CARDINAL RULE When Preparing FRESH FISH!

Here it is, and it could not be simpler:

When preparing FRESH fish, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WORD FRESH.

FRESH means JUST THAT: FRESH---as in NO "FISHY" ODOR AT ALL!

I have found that at least some people, if not a lot of people, do not like fish only because they have never actually had FRESH (and properly cooked) fish.

If you do not start off with TOTALLY FRESH FISH, you are fighting a losing battle with regard to ending up with a dish you will enjoy.

On the other hand, if you start with TOTALLY FRESH FISH, then no matter what the recipe you are making, you already have won a good part of the battle to make a tasty dish!

So, for anyone who was not aware of what it means to purchase truly FRESH FISH, this is what you do:

When you go to buy your FRESH FISH, request that you be allowed to SMELL IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. Never mind if the person behind the counter looks at you funny; it's your money and your time you are investing, and provided you don't actually touch the fish with your nose or sneeze on it, the person selling the fish should not have a problem with your sniffing it. Once you have located a fish dealer where you have smelled the fish a few times and found it to have no odor, you will probably not have to do that anymore. All you will have to do is just ask, "Is it absolutely fresh?" And then take the seller at his or her word.

One fish I have never found to be fresh is "Whiting." I am beginning to suppose that even when alive and swimming Whiting stinks like old fish! I won't buy it anymore.

I tell you, folks who don't know: The difference in flavor between a filet of salmon that has even a slightly fishy odor and a filet of salmon that is fresh and has no odor at all is VAST! So if you are one of those people who has "never liked fish because of the way it tastes," be brave and try what I am saying. Go to a fresh fish market and ask for the very freshest salmon or grouper or striped bass or trout or whatever. Smell it first, and if it has no odor at all, buy it and have someone who knows how to prepare fish well cook it for you. You may find out you like fish after all! ;+>)

Goob

This message was edited Jun 22, 2006 8:53 PM