Milk is a natural and essential part of an infant’s diet. But did you know that milk can also be used to cook fish? It can be an easy and quick way to prepare delicious fish dinner recipes for your family and friends.
The secret to successfully cooking fish in milk is to use the right type of fish. Flathead, cod, and haddock are some of the best-tasting fish that can be prepared in this way. Soak the fish in milk for about 15 minutes before cooking to allow the flesh to become tender. The shorter the soak time, the more quickly the fish will cook. Shorten the soak time even more by placing the fish in ice-cold milk. When you remove the fish from the fridge, it will be cold and flaky instead of warm and juicy.
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What Type Of Milk And Fish To Use?
The type of milk and fish you use will depend on what you are cooking. Whole milk is ideal for this method because the cream will thicken the milk when boiled, giving it a rich flavor that pairs well with most fish. The thicker the milk, the quicker it will cook. For instance, 1 cup of whole milk will cook down to about 1/2 cup when stirred constantly during the first 10 minutes of cooking. If you use skim milk or heavy cream instead, it may take longer to cook through.
The type of fish you use will also determine the length of the soak time. Thin salmon fillets and trout can be soaked for only a few minutes to avoid toughening the flesh. But large, thick fish like tuna should be soaked for longer so that the proteins within reach of the heat are gently and evenly heated through. It’s always a good idea to look at the packaging to see how long the fish should be cooked and to follow the instructions on the package to ensure that the fish is properly prepared.
Flathead Fish Stuffed With Dried Fruits And Nuts
This recipe comes from the Indian island of Goa and is similar to a Goan fish curry. Flathead fish is usually available fresh or frozen in most grocery stores. It can be thawed quickly whenever necessary. This recipe has a unique combination of sweet and savory flavors that will leave your guests asking for more.
To make the dish, use 2 flathead fish, about 1 pound each, for each serving. Rinse the fish, remove the head, and separate the fins, tail, and spine. Make six to eight slashes on the belly of each fish, and stuff each fish with about 1/2 cup of the following mixture: 1 apple, 1/2 orange, 1/2 lemon, and 2 tablespoons of pine nuts. Secure the fish with metal skewers and place on a paper-lined baking sheet.
The baking sheet will be used to roast the fish. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil on each fish and dust with about 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, ground cumin, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper and bake at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until the fish is opaque throughout. Remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Cod Fish Cakes
For a lighter meal, try cooking cod fish cakes instead of whole fish. These fish cakes can be a quick and easy way to get your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids. A combination of corn, flour, and spices are the essential ingredients of a coquille (cod fish cake). To prepare them, you will need about 1 pound of cod, about 6 ounces of corn, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup of green onion, 1/2 cup of fresh basil, 1/2 cup of jalapeno, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients together and form the mixture into 12 equal parts – six big patties and six smaller ones. Place each big patty on a smaller patty. Flatten down the tops with a fork to make a traditional fish cake.
You can bake the cakes for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F or until the outside edges are lightly golden. Or, you can broil the cakes for an additional 3 to 5 minutes before serving to get a more charred exterior.
Haddock Fish Cakes
If you are looking for a meal that is even lighter, try haddock fish cakes. This fish species contains a lower percentage of fat than most others, which makes it ideal for baking or frying. To prepare them, you will need about 1 pound of haddock, about 6 ounces of corn, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup of green onion, 1/2 cup of fresh basil, 1/2 cup of jalapeno, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg. Mix all the ingredients together and form the mixture into 12 equal parts – six big patties and six smaller ones. Place each big patty on a smaller patty. Flatten down the tops with a fork to make a traditional fish cake.
You can bake the cakes for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F or until the outside edges are lightly golden. Or, you can broil the cakes for an additional 3 to 5 minutes before serving to get a more charred exterior.
Spicy Tuna Fish Cakes
If you like your food a bit on the spicy side, you can try preparing spicy tuna fish cakes as well. Feel free to play around with the spices as you see fit however, you should keep in mind that the spiciness of the dish will depend on the strength of your spices. To prepare these spicy tuna fish cakes, you will need about 1 pound of spicy tuna, 1 cup of diced tomatoes, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 yellow bell pepper, 3/4 cup of green onion, 1 clove of garlic, and 1/2 jalapeno. Mix all the ingredients together and form the mixture into 12 equal parts – six big patties and six smaller ones. Place each big patty on a smaller patty. Flatten down the tops with a fork to make a traditional fish cake.
You can bake the cakes for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F or until the outside edges are lightly golden. Or, you can broil the cakes for an additional 3 to 5 minutes before serving to get a more charred exterior.
Each of these methods of cooking fish in milk can be used to create a variety of delicious dishes. Once you have tried cooking fish this way, you will never go back to the way you used to prepare food. And, as a bonus, the nutrients from the milk are slowly and systematically absorbed by the fish, keeping your guests healthy throughout the winter holidays and into the next spring.