Foods of the World Forum Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Food Groups > Meats, Fish and Eggs
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Fabricating Fish & Seafood: A Primer
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

This site is completely supported by donations; there are no corporate sponsors. We would be honoured if you would consider a small donation, to be used exclusively for forum expenses.



Thank you, from the Foods of the World Forums!

Fabricating Fish & Seafood: A Primer

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 234
Author
Message
MarkR View Drop Down
Chef
Chef
Avatar

Joined: 03 February 2011
Location: St. Pete FL
Status: Offline
Points: 625
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MarkR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 March 2013 at 08:56
The difference is that there is no stop a the end of the tine. With larger shrimp it works better, faster. I have used a fork though, works just fine.
Mark R
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
Margi Cintrano View Drop Down
Master Chef
Master Chef
Avatar

Joined: 03 February 2012
Location: Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 6357
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Margi Cintrano Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 March 2013 at 09:22

Brook,

 
Why don´t you share the beautiful encrusted pistachio crumb sautéed fish recipe you had posted in Turkish section if I recall correctly or Southeast USA ?  
 
I had prepared it with both fresh sea bass and fresh cod, and it was delightful ... The Turkish use almonds, as they are almond producters, and in Napoli they employ walnuts; however, I used pistachios ...
 
It was incredible.
Margaux.
 
Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.
Back to Top
MarkR View Drop Down
Chef
Chef
Avatar

Joined: 03 February 2011
Location: St. Pete FL
Status: Offline
Points: 625
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MarkR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 March 2013 at 09:40
Originally posted by HistoricFoodie HistoricFoodie wrote:

That's similar to the one Friend Wife swears by, Mark. Her's is a slightly different configuration, but also red plastic. I wonder if that's a rule? Approve
 

I've nothing against them. But once I learned the fork-tine trick I failed to see their necessity. Essentially they work the same way.

Funny, when my family moved here from Louisiana in 1955, my father brought a wood shrimp deveiner with him that was just like my red one. Of course made of wood, not plastic, but the same shape and size. It broke long ago and he replaced it with a red one that I still have. I bought a new one so I don't have to use his. I have seen metal ones. They (red plastic) are very common here.
Mark R
Back to Top
HistoricFoodie View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group


Joined: 21 February 2012
Location: Kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 4940
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 March 2013 at 20:29
Dan and others have asked if I'd do sort of a companion primer to this one on cooking seafood.
 
Been racking my brains out trying to come up with a format. Trouble is, other than the ease in which fish and seafood can be overcooked, the methods aren't really special most of the time.
 
Pan frying, for instance, is the same technique whether the protein is fish, chicken, or steak. Ditto on all the standards cooking methods.
 
So, if anyone has a suggestion on how to organize such a primer so it pertains just to, or primarily to, seafood cooking techniques, I'd be overjoyed to hear it.
 
Or, if there are specific questions, I'll be happy to take a shot at answering them.
Back to Top
Hoser View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 06 February 2010
Location: Cumberland, RI
Status: Offline
Points: 3454
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hoser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 March 2013 at 01:27
Well, other than "en pappilotte" (sp?) I don't know of any technique that is usually considered to be exclusively for fish or vegetables.

Like you mentioned Brook...once a technique or particular skill has been mastered, it just applies to whatever dish you're trying.

I mean....a braise is a braise and always will be.

I think it would be barking up the wrong tree to try to come up with something like that.
just my 2 cents anyway...I'll think on it a bit more.
Go ahead...play with your food!
Back to Top
HistoricFoodie View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group


Joined: 21 February 2012
Location: Kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 4940
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 March 2013 at 07:10
That's my feeling as well, Dave.
 
Heck, I've even seen chicken done en pappilotte. I don't think there are any exclusive techniques.  In cookery, especially, if it can be done, somebody has done it.
 
Only thing I've never seen done with anything but fish is cooking in a salt dome.
 
I even tried isolating those techniques and methods that are mostly used with seafood. No joy there either. There are too few of them to matter. In fact, we've just mentioned both of them.
Back to Top
gonefishin View Drop Down
Master Chef
Master Chef
Avatar

Joined: 20 September 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 1778
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gonefishin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 March 2013 at 09:01
   Hoser, I like your thinking guy at the bottom of the post.


Originally posted by HistoricFoodie HistoricFoodie wrote:

Dan and others have asked if I'd do sort of a companion primer to this one on cooking seafood.
 
Been racking my brains out trying to come up with a format. Trouble is, other than the ease in which fish and seafood can be overcooked, the methods aren't really special most of the time.
 
Pan frying, for instance, is the same technique whether the protein is fish, chicken, or steak. Ditto on all the standards cooking methods.
 
So, if anyone has a suggestion on how to organize such a primer so it pertains just to, or primarily to, seafood cooking techniques, I'd be overjoyed to hear it.
 
Or, if there are specific questions, I'll be happy to take a shot at answering them.


   I don't know Brook...some things that were in my mind were on the line of methods and things to watch for while cooking X (say shrimp).  Shrimp and scallops seem to cook in similar manners.  You don't want to overcook...but can get away with getting good color on one side and gently finishing off heat on the other side.  While there may be other methods to cook them (to get good color on both sides) I think this drives home the idea of finish them gently or watch them carefully if your using an aggressive method on the second side.

   While the shrimp example may be a very simple idea that can be wide known, cooking squid, octopus, cuttlefish is not as common.  Plus, you have two very different options of cooking (short, long) that offer you different things to watch for.

   Proper ceviche methods and why you don't want to take it too far.  How to recognize when enough is enough.  Smoking methods for fish.  Yes, adding smoke flavors are beneficial...but you also want to bring the fish up to certain temperatures not seen in other methods...brine or not when smoking. 

   I do see your point though.  Many of the items I brought up can be dealt with as separate specific questions.  After you posed the question I'm not sure if any entire primer is warranted.

  I'll think on it
   (insert Hosers cool thinker pic here)
   
Enjoy The Food!
Back to Top
HistoricFoodie View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group


Joined: 21 February 2012
Location: Kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 4940
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 March 2013 at 09:11
I think that would be the way to go, Dan, with each question (or related questions) running as separate threads.
 
Your point about the celepods (sp?) is particularly on track. They get cooked for either less than 2 minutes or more than 20. Anything inside that slot produces tough, rubbery food. For many years I used calamari as the test of a restaurant for that reason. If the squid was served tough or rubbery I knew the kitchen needed work.
 
I'm with you on Dave's thinker. What a great emoticon!
Back to Top
HistoricFoodie View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group


Joined: 21 February 2012
Location: Kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 4940
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 April 2013 at 18:45
With fishing seasons about to open, thought I'd bump this for new members who might have missed it.
Back to Top
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25 January 2010
Location: Chinook, MT
Status: Offline
Points: 9356
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 April 2013 at 08:35
Perfect timing, Brook ~ my first few trout of the year are usually smoked, and this year I am going to want to dedicate some to attempting truchas a Navarra; however, once I satisfy those cravings, I will be exploring the wold of fish a little more this year, and your primer will be an outstanding source of instruction and inspiration!
If you are a visitor and like what you see, please click here and join the discussions in our community!
Back to Top
HistoricFoodie View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group


Joined: 21 February 2012
Location: Kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 4940
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2015 at 09:03
Just wanted to add a few thoughts regarding shellfish.

Dan had asked, and I somehow missed it, how to hold shellfish until needed.

Keep in mind that shellfish have to breathe and be kept cool. If the fishmonger puts them in a plastic bag, make sure he punches some holes in it. Shaved ice should be in a separate bag.

If you're not using them right away, transfer them to a bowl. Set the bowl on a second bowl filled with ice. Cover the shellfish with a dampened kitchen towel and put the whole thing in the fridge.

I've help clams and mussels this way for as much as three days.

Have you ever watched celebrity chefs steam shellfish? They dump them in a pot and, lo and behold, all of a sudden they've all opened at the same time.

Bzzt! Wrong! Thanks for playing!

The reality is, shellfish open in their own good time. For instance, when I made Thai Clams With Toasted Chili Sauce the other night, some of the clams opened in only 8 minutes. Others took more like 14. That's enough of a difference to overcook the early-opening ones and turn them rubbery.

Shellfish should be removed from the heat as soon as they open. This is especially important with mussels, but applies to all shellfish.

So monitor the steaming shellfish, removing the open ones right away and transferring them to a bowl. When the last ones open you can, if needed, put all the others back in the pot for a minute of so, just to reheat them.
But we hae meat and we can eat
And sae the Lord be thanket
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 234
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.078 seconds.