something a bit fishy going on!

apprentice_tycoon

Hi Pavlov, I'm a bit of a boring old haddock person myself I don't like small fish that are fiddly with bones (I don't like having to eat with my reading glasses on)
I know what you mean about a 'meaty' fish, things like trout might not suit you because of the fishy shape and the fact that the fleshy parts are thin between the bones, you don't get 'slabs' of solid meatyness. Plaice is out too for the same reason, it's too delicate and light. If you come across halibut it's worth a try, that fits the criteria well. I agree with ivy-leaf about swordfish but don't dry it out.

Juno mentioned the smell - I cooked salmon on my cast iron le Creuset type pan and it smelled of salmon for ages, it took a few washes to get it nice for steak again.

if you are looking for a fish ready meal I think the Birds Eye cod in butter sauce would be perfect

Alfietinker

We're trying to eat a bit more fish and love salmon fillets, tuna steak, smoked haddock (in things like kedgeree), prawns and marlin.

I'm squeamish when it comes to things like heads/tails and even skin and I don't know what to do with them. So I only buy 'ready prepared cuts'.

I am trying to steal myself to be braver but don't know where to start. ie, can I always get the fishmonger to take the skin and bones out or would he laugh at me? Whats the differance between a fillet and a steak?

pavlovs_dog

the only stupid question is the one you never ask. i'd be interested to hear answer to your questions too, alfietinker.

also, which is better, fishmongers in supermarket, or indipendent fishmonger?

apprentice_tycoon

Fillet and steak? - a fillet is a boneless cut along the side of the fish, a steak is through the fish, like slicing a cucumber

Alfietinker

So a salmon steak is one of those horseshoe looking things with skin and bones, and a fillet is the skinless/boneless ones? So if I were to always ask for fillets then I might get skin, but not bone, and I could get fishmonger to deal with nasty skin for me? Cool!

Thanks!

Noozan

Alfietinker wrote:

So a salmon steak is one of those horseshoe looking things with skin and bones, and a fillet is the skinless/boneless ones? So if I were to always ask for fillets then I might get skin, but not bone, and I could get fishmonger to deal with nasty skin for me? Cool!

Thanks!

You could ask your fishmonger to take the skin off for you. :-)

Red snapper is a nice "meaty" fish and sea bass is also nice :drool: I love all kinds of sea food and I personally prefer to buy whole fish - I like to see it with the head still on!

frosty

tins of sardines in tomato sauce served on toast are nice also pilchards.

ti1980

Thanks for starting this thread Pavlov's as I'm quite funny when it comes to fish but I know I should eat much more of it than I do.
The thing with me is that I don't like creamy or overly cheesy sauces and they supposedly go really well with a lot of fish.
Most of my friends love salmon but I can't stand it and even thinking about it makes me feel queasy but I know thats just in my head.
I know that if I have a bad fish experience that I will probably never have fish again and that will be a real shame.

Savvy_Sue

pavlovs_dog wrote:

also, which is better, fishmongers in supermarket, or indipendent fishmonger?

You HAVE an independent fishmonger? Haven't seen one of those for years! Occasionally been aware of vans going around but never at home for them.

TBH I don't know the answer to the question: I think you have to go in and talk to them and see which seems most helpful, and where the fish looks best. It might be easier to build up a 'relationship' with an indy, because in a supermarket there are likely to be several different fishmongers working because of the long hours they're open. Unless you always go at a certain time (when the young dishy one is working?)

pavlovs_dog

two in fact, off the top of my head, one in my home town, which has been there since the dawn of time (also sells game...has pheasants etc hanging from the ceiling :eek: ) and also a big one in the cardiff indoor market a few miles away.