Since the start of this year, there has been a massive rise in coronavirus cases around the world. Currently, there are over 3 million cases per day and the pandemic seems to have no signs of easing up. In light of this, it is important to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family from the virus. One of the easiest ways to do this is to boil your fish before you eat it. But how long should you boil your fish for before it is actually safe to eat? The answer to this question is quite complicated, but if you want to enjoy your fish without any worries, then follow the below guidelines.
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Eat Filleted Fish Within 15 Minutes
When you buy your fish, depending on the size, it will already be cleaned and scaled. The smaller the fish, the shorter the cooking time. Usually, small fish with thinner fillets are best cooked immediately after buying. They need to be cooked within 15 minutes to remain fresh. So if you are planning to eat the fish that night, then you should cook it then and there. However, if you are planning to store it for later use, then it is best to refrigerate it and cook it later. This way, you ensure that the fish is fresh and safe to eat. Sometimes, especially with larger fish, it can take longer to cook. You should always check for any signs of gray or off-colored flesh before serving. If you discover any such parts of the fish, then you should discard it and start over. The fish will spoil faster than you can say “super fresh sushi”.
Choose The Right Pot
When you are boiling your fish, you need to use a pot that is large enough to contain the entire fish as well as the necessary surrounding water. One critical factor to consider when choosing this vessel is the material the pot is made of. As the name suggests, clay pots are the best for this particular application as they are highly durable and resistant to breaking down when in use. Another advantage of using a clay pot is that it retains its shape when filled with water, which makes it much easier to grab a bite without any fear of losing track of the spoon. Stainless steel is also a good option to consider, as it is more sanitary and also easier to clean. In addition, if you are cooking a whole fish, then you should opt for a heavy bottomed pot as this will make the fish completely cook evenly. Ensure that the pot is also large enough to accommodate any seasoned spices you might want to use while cooking. This way, the flavor of the fish will be retained and imparted to your meal.
Check The Fish For Tenderness
When your fish is cooked, you should carefully examine it for tenderness. The smaller the fish, the more tender it should be. For instance, a 6-ounce snapper should be quite tender when cooked. However, if you are cooking a 14.5-ounce black bass, then you should add more time to the cook process as it needs to be completely tender. This way, if you are planning to eat the fish immediately, then there is no need to over cook it. You should always prepare yourself for the possibility of the fish being a little tough and use a fork or teeth to break down the flesh before serving. If you discover that the flesh is not yet tender, then you should continue cooking it until it is.
At this point, you should serve the fish while it is still warm. Letting it rest for a few minutes before serving will enhance the taste and texture. If you want to retain the flavor of the fish, then you should serve it as soon as it is done. Otherwise, it will continue to “give off” the heat, losing its flavor during the resting period.
Do Not Overfill The Pot
It is a common mistake for people to overfill the pot with water while cooking their fish. This is an easy way to damage the vessel you are using and may even cause an overflow accident. So, when you are adding the fish to the pot, make sure that there is at least 1 inch of space at the top. Overfilling the pot will also cause the fish to cook in an uneven manner, resulting in some parts being undercooked and others being excessively done. To avoid this, you should always make sure the pot is completely filled, no more than an inch from the top before putting it on the stove. If you want to prepare larger fish, then you should use a bigger pot. But, as a general rule, smaller pots will retain more flavor, so you should opt for these over larger ones.
After you have cooked your fish according to the above guidelines, you should let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This is important for a number of reasons. First of all, the fish will continue to release some of its juices, which will end up falling into the pot. So if you are serving the fish as an appetizer, then you should drain off this excess liquid to retain the most flavor. In addition, letting the fish rest will also allow the juices to settle and coagulate, giving you a thicker and more flavorful fish soup. Plus, the head will stay attached, which is quite important in terms of appearance! Finally, allowing the fish to rest will cause the muscles to relax and contract, making it easier for you to pull the meat off the bones. This is part of the fun of cooking fish and removing the bones is both satisfying and exciting, especially when you are a first-time cook. So don’t be afraid to let your guests try this delicious recipe for the first time! They may even scream for joy once they experience this new way of pulling fish into the mouth!