Chapter 14 Understanding Fish and Shellfish Copyright © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Fish products are divided into two categories: Fin fish, or fish with fins and internal skeletons Shellfish, or fish with external shells but no internal bone structure 2 Understanding Fish and Shellfish

The edible flesh of fish consists of: Water Proteins Fats Small amounts of minerals, vitamins, and other substances 3 Composition and Structure

Fish has very little connective tissue This means that: Fish cooks very quickly. Fish is naturally tender. Moist-heat cooking methods are used not to create tenderness but to preserve moistness. Cooked fish must be handled very carefully or it will fall apart. 4 Composition and Structure

The major flaw in fish preparation is overcooking. Observe these tests for doneness: 1.The fish just separates into flakes, or it is beginning to flake but does not yet fall apart easily. 2.If the bone is present, the flesh separates from the bone and the bone is no longer pink. 3.The flesh has turned from translucent to opaque (usually white, depending on the kind of fish). 5 Special Problems in Cooking Fish

The fat content of fish ranges from 0.5% to 20%. Lean fish are those that are low in fat. Fat fish are those that are high in fat. 6 Special Problems in Cooking Fish Cooking Fat Fish and Lean Fish

Moist-heat methods Lean fish is especially well suited to poaching. This method preserves moistness. Dry-heat methods Lean fish, if it is broiled or baked, should be basted with butter or oil. Do not to overcook it, or the fish will be dry. Dry-heat methods with fat Lean fish may be fried or sautéed. The fish gains palatability from the added fat. 7 Special Problems in Cooking Fish Cooking Lean Fish

Moist-heat methods Fat fish, like lean fish, can be cooked by moist heat. Dry-heat methods Fat fish are well suited to broiling and baking. The dry heat helps eliminate excessive oiliness. Dry-heat methods with fat May be cooked in fat Care should be taken to avoid excessive greasiness. 8 Special Problems in Cooking Fish Cooking Fat Fish

Whole or round: completely intact, as caught 9 Cutting Fish Market Forms Drawn: viscera removed

Dressed: viscera, scales, head, tail and fins removed 10 Cutting Fish Market Forms Steaks: cross-section slices, each containing a section of backbone

Fillets: boneless sides of fish, with skin on or off 11 Cutting Fish Market Forms Sticks or tranches: cross- section slices of fillets

Butterflied Fillets: both sides of a fish still joined 12 Cutting Fish Market Forms

Cut off the tail and fins. Scissors are easiest to use. Scale the Fish. 13 Cutting Fish Dressing a Fish Eviscerate. Slit the belly and pull out the viscera. Rinse the cavity.

Remove the head. Cut through the flesh just behind gills. Cut or break the backbone at the cut and pull off the head. 14 Cutting Fish Dressing a Fish The fish is dressed.

Use a thin-bladed, flexible knife. Cut off the head just behind the gills (this step is optional). 15 Cutting Fish Filleting a Flatfish Make a cut from head to tail, just to one side of the center line down to the backbone.

Turn the knife so it is almost parallel to the table. Making long, smooth cuts, cut horizontally against the backbone toward the outer edge of the fish. Gently separate the fillet from the bone. 16 Cutting Fish Filleting a Flatfish Remove the fillet completely.

Cut into the top of the fish along one side of the tail; detach the backbone from head to tail 17 Cutting Fish Filleting a Round Fish Cut under the flesh toward the tail and detach the cut piece.

Cut along the curved rib bones and finish detaching the fillet at the head. Turn the fish over and repeat to remove the second fillet. 18 Cutting Fish Filleting a Round Fish

Overall appearance Good appearance Clear slime Moist and pliable fins Odor Fresh and mild, no off-odors Eyes Clear, shiny, bulging 19 Handling and Storage Checklist for Fish Freshness

Gills Red or pink Texture of flesh Firm, elastic Scales Shiny, tight on skin Belly cavity No belly burn; natural-colored flesh, pink or red along backbone 20 Handling and Storage Checklist for Fish Freshness

Objectives 1.To maintain temperature of 30 °F to 34 ° F (-1°C to 1 °C) 2.To keep the fish moist 3.To prevent fish odors and flavors from transferring to other foods 4.To protect the delicate flesh from being bruised or crushed 21 Handling and Storage Storing Fresh Fish

Methods On crushed ice (preferred method) Use drip pans to allow for drainage of melted ice. Change ice daily. In refrigerated box at 30 °F to 34 ° F (-1°C to 1 °C) Use if crushed ice storage is not available or practical. Wrap all fish or leave in original moisture proof wrap. 22 Handling and Storage Storing Fresh Fish

Storage Time Fresh fish may be stored for 1 or 2 days. If it must be kept longer, you may: 1.Wrap and freeze it immediately 2.Cook and then refrigerate it for later use in recipes calling for cooked fish 23 Handling and Storage Storing Fresh Fish

Federal Inspection The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Promote the safety of fish and shellfish produced in Canada, and imported into Canada Set guidelines for product quality Establish standards for fish and seafood processing plants, fishing boats, etc. Handling and Storage 24

Thawing and Handling Frozen raw fish Thaw in refrigerator. Small pieces can be cooked from a frozen state. Fillets, or other portions to be breaded or prepared in some other way before cooking, may be partially thawed. Handle thawed fish as you would fresh fish. Do not refreeze. 25 Handling and Storage Frozen, Canned and Other Processed Fish

There are two classifications of shellfish: 1.Mollusks: soft sea animals that fall into three main categories: Bivalves, which have a pair of hinged shells (such as clams and oysters) Univalves, which have a single shell (such as abalone and conch) Cephalopods (such as octopus, squid and cuttlefish) 2.Crustaceans: animals with segmented shells and jointed legs 26 Shellfish Classification

27 Shellfish Mollusks Oysters Clams Mussels Scallops

Squid Usually referred to on menus by their Italian name, calamari. Octopus The name means “eight feet.” 28 Shellfish Cephalapods

29 Shellfish Crustaceans Lobster Crab Shrimp