You get a big piece of fish, you have two options: Either you eat it right away or you let it sit in the fridge overnight and then try to cook it the next day. The latter is often seen as the better of the two, since pre-made meals have come to occupy an increasingly important place in modern life. However, if you’re looking for the tastiest and most memorable meal you can get, opting for the raw fish is certainly not the way to go.
To ensure your fish is cooked just right you need to follow a precise timing when preparing it. This article will tell you exactly how long to cook your fish to ensure it is juicy, flavorful, and just right. All you need to do is follow the simple instructions and enjoy your meal.
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Shake And Bake Fresh Fish
The first and most vital step in cooking fish is always to shake the water off First you’ll want to remove as much water as possible from the fish before putting it in the oven. The majority of the water present in fish is actually in its head, which is why you should always try to remove it. This way, you will make sure that the fish is always fresh and has the maximum amount of flavor.
There are a couple of ways in which you can do this. You can either remove the head and rinse the fish under cold running water before placing it on a plate or you can simply leave it on the fish and use a fork to gently poke holes in the head. Doing this will let some of the juices escape while keeping the fish’s head intact.
Overnight Fish Fry
If you decide to have the fish the next day, something you should always try to avoid, you can follow a similar procedure to cook it. The only difference is that you will let the fish sit overnight in the fridge. This will allow all the water to settle at the bottom of the container, so when you drain the water it will be at the top. Overnight chilling also helps the fish to become more flavorfully aromatic. You should also put the fish on a plate with a couple of ice cubes in it, so that it stays cold throughout the process.
Best Before Reading
In case you are unfamiliar, a “best before” date is a label that food manufacturers use to indicate the best before date for a food product. This is basically so that you know when you should avoid eating it due to spoilage. The good news is that you don’t need to throw it away just yet, you just need to know when to avoid it. For instance, you should never eat raw fish more than a day or two after you buy it, as this will cause it to deteriorate rapidly. However, if you keep it in the fridge it will retain its flavor and aroma for a much longer time.
Temperature Is Everything
You need to keep in mind that fish is mostly water and therefore is quite easy to overcook. You should especially avoid any kind of heat that is excessive, as this can cause the fish to become dry and tough. You should learn to check the temperature of your food before and during cooking, especially when using the oven. The most important thing is to make sure that the fish is cooked at the right temperature. If you overcook fish, it will become dry and tough, which will ruin any possible dining experience. At 150 degrees Fahrenheit (the general guideline for fish), the fish will be cooked but not fully dissolved into the sauce. Undercooking will make the meat fall apart and the taste is ruined, while overheating will cause the food to become dry and tough. When checking the taste, you should always keep in mind that fresh fish will have an absolutely different flavor to it than frozen fish. If you follow these simple guidelines, cooking fish will be a cinch and you will end up with delicious results every time.