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The Library => Auburn Culinary Center => Topic started by: Snaggletiger on June 01, 2011, 04:42:59 PM

Title: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 01, 2011, 04:42:59 PM
How does one go about getting fresh fish short of catching it yourself or waiting at the docks.  Last night, wanted to do some grilled fish and the wife was on her way to Publix so I axed her to pick up some grouper filets.  Three nice looking filets......that were just downright bucknasty.  They weren't spoiled or anything but that "fish" smell and taste was overwhelming.  Marinated them for an hour before grilling them.  Drowned them in a mixture of orange, lemon, pineapple and lime juices and then seasoned them up with some Zatarains creole seasoning.  Still, that fishy taste dominated after grilling.  Ruined the meal.

I know that going to Publix for seafood isn't the smartest thing in the world but what are the choices?  We have Winn Dixie and two butcher shops that carry seafood but even there, you'll run across the same problem.  Is that a product of freezing or being too old or do some fish just naturally have that strong odor/taste?  I've never had it with mahi and most of the time, orange roughy is pretty clean.   
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Townhallsavoy on June 01, 2011, 04:49:18 PM
Do you have a Whole Foods nearby? 

Where do you live?

Fresh fish has to be just that - fresh.  The best fish smells like the ocean.  A little bit of fish smell is okay, but if it's strong, you're best to throw it out.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 01, 2011, 05:06:57 PM
I live in Dothan so I'm not too far from the coast...but still..80 miles is too far to drive for a filet.  Took a couple of sailfishing trips to Guatemala and that was a fresh fish experience of a lifetime.  If we caught a mahi, they fileted it up as soon as it hit the boat floor.  Once they took it inside and grilled up little strips of it and served it to us less than an hour after it was caught.  Another time, they chilled it and served it up sushi style.  Wasn't a big fan of that but tried a couple of pieces to say I did it.  That night back at the resort, if you ordered grilled fish, it was what you caught that day. 
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 01, 2011, 05:10:53 PM
Seems to me that Chinook would have some thoughts on the subject
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: AU_Tiger_2000 on June 01, 2011, 05:18:56 PM
In my experience the best fresh fish to be had at the chain grocery stores is farm raised rainbow trout, and the best from the environmental standpoint also.  I'm no enviro wonk but I love to fish and being from south south Alabama I largely try to support sustainable fishing.  It, farm raised catfish, and farmed striped bass (actually hybrid striped and white bass) are your best bets if you are inland because they are probably being farmed inland and closer to your location.  Farm raised salmon is OK, but seems to be a little lacking to me.

Like THS said, if it smells like anything other than the beach, buy the pork chops or buy frozen.  Oh and never buy farm raised shrimp (wife and I got sick off some one time).  And when it comes to shrimp, crawfish, and crab, even if you buy it "fresh", it has probably already been frozen at one point anyway (def true with the crab).
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: chinook on June 01, 2011, 06:47:36 PM
speaking of fresh fish.  two friends and i drifted the nestucca river on sunday.  it's springer season...(Spring Run Chinook (King) Salmon).  well after about 5 hours on the river, we only pulled 1 in the boat,  but it was a dandy fish.  bright and fresh...perhaps one or two days out of the ocean.  this fish would feed 3 families of 4 with some scraps for the kitty cats.   

anyhoo...spring run king salmon are teh titz.  if cooked right the moisture content is superior and the taste is fabulous.  it's my favorite.  on this particular cook, i simply seasoned it with lemon pepper (i don't remember the brand but there's a pig on the label). 

i fired up the pellet bbq/grill.  i set the salmon...skin side down for 25 minutes.  the pellet bbq was set @ 300.  the pellets are auger fed...and timed. during the 25 minutes faint hints of apple smoke would surround the fish.   @ 25 minutes i flipped the salmon steak over for about 10 minutes.  after this process, i turned it again for about 5 minutes.  took it of the grill and ready to serve.

it was perfect.  you could see the moisture...i did not serve the fish with lemon or anything else...just pure fresh caught salmon with a nice cover of lemon pepper. 

b.t.w.  this was a hatchery run spring chinook.  we could tell immediately as she was hooked...she was a hatchery fish.  not as much fight as the native springers which by the way are catch and release on the nestucca.   one thing we do as most recreational (salmon) fishermen...we bonk the fish with a club and cut the gills to bleed the fish out.  the last thing you want is the blood to pool in the meat. 

we make awesome smoked fish too with the fall caught nookies. 
 
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: chinook on June 01, 2011, 06:48:30 PM
Seems to me that Chinook would have some thoughts on the subject

actually started typing then got pulled away to do some work. 
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Yoda on June 01, 2011, 10:03:03 PM
Ok first of all, if the raw fish has a smell throw it away.  Do not buy fresh fish at a grocery store they are selling you previously frozen fish and they do not sell enough to guarantee any kind of freshness.  I'm from Enterprise but have not been to Dothan in a while.  Even if there is a wholefoods or a freshmarket I still don't think it will be that fresh simply due to the demand for fresh fish in the area.  In Birmingham we have a sextons where they are cleaning fish everyday and getting it from the gulf every other day.  Look for a seafood market in the area.  If no market two options.  One buy the frozen fish filets at publix.  It is frozen fresh normally within hours of being caught on the boat.  Second option would be to find a restaurant that sells good seafood and ask to buy it from them.  If it is a respectable restaurant using fresh seafood they will be getting from a supplier within a day or two of being caught.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 02, 2011, 09:20:31 AM
Read something the other day that 80% of the shrimp consumed in this country come from Asian waters.  No such thing as fresh there.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: chinook on June 02, 2011, 10:41:25 AM
Read something the other day that 80% of the shrimp consumed in this country come from Asian waters.  No such thing as fresh there.

also to boot...the U.S. imports 80 percent of our king and snow crab from Russia.  20 percent from the Alaskan fisheries goes to U.S. markets the balance is exported...much of it to Japan.  this is a problem. 
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 02, 2011, 01:07:28 PM
also to boot...the U.S. imports 80 percent of our king and snow crab from Russia.  20 percent from the Alaskan fisheries goes to U.S. markets the balance is exported...much of it to Japan.  this is a problem.

What the F?  Where's the logic in that?
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Townhallsavoy on June 02, 2011, 01:20:33 PM
What the F?  Where's the logic in that?

Russia sells cheap. 

Japan buys expensive.

Just a hypothesis.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 02, 2011, 01:28:46 PM
Russia sells cheap. 

Japan buys expensive.

Just a hypothesis.

Pfffft...away with your facts and logic. There's no place for that here.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: AU_Tiger_2000 on June 02, 2011, 02:31:55 PM
What the F?  Where's the logic in that?

At least we can get the Japanese to buy something we export.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: CCTAU on June 03, 2011, 01:03:12 PM
Read something the other day that 80% of the shrimp consumed in this country come from Asian waters.  No such thing as fresh there.

Should the PC term be "Oriental" waters?


I always get confused with that. Where is the Oriental guy on the board when you need him?
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 03, 2011, 01:04:39 PM
Should the PC term be "Oriental" waters?


I always get confused with that. Where is the Oriental guy on the board when you need him?

His people are great shrimpers
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Townhallsavoy on June 03, 2011, 01:40:39 PM
Should the PC term be "Oriental" waters?


I always get confused with that. Where is the Oriental guy on the board when you need him?

I said that once to an Asian friend.  She responded, "We aren't rugs!" 

Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Aubie16 on June 03, 2011, 01:59:27 PM
Should the PC term be "Oriental" waters?


I always get confused with that. Where is the Oriental guy on the board when you need him?

No you have it backwards. Snaggle was correct.

People are Asian. Rugs are oriental.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: AU_Tiger_2000 on June 03, 2011, 02:15:28 PM
Should the PC term be "Oriental" waters?


I always get confused with that. Where is the Oriental guy on the board when you need him?

I used to work with a Vietnamese guy who bought a used BMW.  Some of the faux wood trim had peeled off and left some sticky stuff and I stuck my arm in it when he was driving us to lunch.  He said, "Sorry, my car has gook all over it."  I died laughing, when I told him why he got pretty pissed.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: CCTAU on June 03, 2011, 02:28:07 PM
No you have it backwards. Snaggle was correct.

People are Asian. Rugs are oriental.

But what about the waters. Waters aren't people?
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: GH2001 on June 03, 2011, 02:37:57 PM
I used to work with a Vietnamese guy who bought a used BMW.  Some of the faux wood trim had peeled off and left some sticky stuff and I stuck my arm in it when he was driving us to lunch.  He said, "Sorry, my car has gook all over it."  I died laughing, when I told him why he got pretty pissed.

Da gooks gotta die.....

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2009/4/21/1240324043741/Sean-Penn-Don-Harvey-and--001.jpg)
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: JR4AU on June 05, 2011, 03:43:02 PM
How does one go about getting fresh fish short of catching it yourself or waiting at the docks.  Last night, wanted to do some grilled fish and the wife was on her way to Publix so I axed her to pick up some grouper filets.  Three nice looking filets......that were just downright bucknasty.  They weren't spoiled or anything but that "fish" smell and taste was overwhelming.  Marinated them for an hour before grilling them.  Drowned them in a mixture of orange, lemon, pineapple and lime juices and then seasoned them up with some Zatarains creole seasoning.  Still, that fishy taste dominated after grilling.  Ruined the meal.

I know that going to Publix for seafood isn't the smartest thing in the world but what are the choices?  We have Winn Dixie and two butcher shops that carry seafood but even there, you'll run across the same problem.  Is that a product of freezing or being too old or do some fish just naturally have that strong odor/taste?  I've never had it with mahi and most of the time, orange roughy is pretty clean.

Publix for seafood is hit or miss.  If you get it the day they get it, you're ok, but you gotta know the day they get the delivery.  I've gotten some bad stuff. 

We have a Sextons here in Cahaba Heights.  Fresh stuff daily.  And a Snapper Grabbers in Vestavia.  both have fresh stuff.   If it smells fishy, it's old.  Period.
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: JR4AU on June 05, 2011, 03:45:11 PM
Read something the other day that 80% of the shrimp consumed in this country come from Asian waters.  No such thing as fresh there.

They generally freeze shrimp on the boat.  It's always previously frozen, unless you have a way to get it special.   
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Townhallsavoy on June 05, 2011, 04:09:24 PM
They generally freeze shrimp on the boat.  It's always previously frozen, unless you have a way to get it special.   

This makes me miss living in Louisiana.  Nothing like making a meal of shrimp pulled directly from the gulf. 

How are Sexton's prices?  And I don't know if this was covered, but did your house get messed up in the April storms?
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: JR4AU on June 05, 2011, 05:48:25 PM
This makes me miss living in Louisiana.  Nothing like making a meal of shrimp pulled directly from the gulf. 

How are Sexton's prices?  And I don't know if this was covered, but did your house get messed up in the April storms?

Their prices vary depending on market, time of year, gas prices.  I haven't been in a while.  They're obviousy higher than the supermarket, but it's always fresh from the gulf.

No, I had no damage. 
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 06, 2011, 09:29:18 AM
Hit Publix last night for shrimp.  Peeled and deveined.  Put them on a pan and seasoned them up then soaked them in Zesty Italian. Broiled them for a few minutes each side.

Dee-lish-us
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 05, 2011, 11:17:55 AM
Fresh fish....I has it.

I was talking about catching a huge snapper this past Friday in the "While you beeshes" thread.  On this charter, that takes off and lands directly from the beach in Grayton Beach, you come in and go grab some lunch and come back to pick up your fish, fileted and bagged.  Nice.

Took it that afternoon and proceeded to let it marinate in a mixture of orange, pineapple, lemon and lime juices.  Got the grill ready and dusted the filets up with some blackening and creole seasonings.  I use a grilling pan with raised sides that I line with foil to grill the fish.  Poured the juice mixture and more seasoning over it as it cooked.  The filets just fell apart, which was fine because I was going for fish tacos...again.  When they're right, they're right.

Put the fish on a wrap, put on cole slaw, black beans, a little pineapple and this funky orange dressing that I found.  Yep, fresh fish makes all the difference and these were fine.

 
Title: Re: Fresh Fish
Post by: AUJarhead on July 05, 2011, 11:47:13 AM
Fresh fish....I has it.

I was talking about catching a huge snapper this past Friday in the "While you beeshes" thread.  On this charter, that takes off and lands directly from the beach in Grayton Beach, you come in and go grab some lunch and come back to pick up your fish, fileted and bagged.  Nice.

Took it that afternoon and proceeded to let it marinate in a mixture of orange, pineapple, lemon and lime juices.  Got the grill ready and dusted the filets up with some blackening and creole seasonings.  I use a grilling pan with raised sides that I line with foil to grill the fish.  Poured the juice mixture and more seasoning over it as it cooked.  The filets just fell apart, which was fine because I was going for fish tacos...again.  When they're right, they're right.

Put the fish on a wrap, put on cole slaw, black beans, a little pineapple and this funky orange dressing that I found.  Yep, fresh fish makes all the difference and these were fine.

... and on that note, it's lunch time.