Seafood Question

[whatgoingon]

I am wondering about seafood. What is good. I have bought frozen from the grocery store but they don't seem to have a very good selection. The last fish I got was called Whiting and I did not like it. Suggestions for good frozen seafood would be greatly appreciated.

[Cooper27 Administrator]

It could be worth visiting a fishmonger, if you have one available to you? Someone who specifically sells fish might be able to guide you towards something you'll like.

[whatgoingon in reply to Cooper27]

Thank you. Live in Montana--no sea here!!

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to whatgoingon]

I'm not sure if it's maybe a UK term... A fishmongers is like a butcher shop but they specialise in fish. Is there nothing similar in the US? Even a fish counter in the nearby supermarkets?

[whatgoingon in reply to Cooper27]

Thank you. They do have a fresh fish counter at our grocery. I will check it out.

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Baby the cat our ginger tabby gets her fish bought for her from the fishmongers in the market which are always well stocked.

[AnnieW55]

Montana is a very long way from the sea (northern North America) and inland too. I’d Google to see what fish shops or supermarkets selling fish are near you if any. I’ve done a quick one and there are 2 flat head shops and a Seafoods of the World market but whether they are near to you is another matter! I don’t know what fish is available to you but I buy trout, salmon, prawns, cod amongst others. I don’t like whiting either.

To be honest frozen is pretty good.

[whatgoingon in reply to AnnieW55]

Thank you. I don't eat much so I prefer frozen. Appreciate your research.

[Fitternotfatter2020]

We eat a fair amount of fish, frozen and fresh. We enjoy Salmon fillets, basa fillets, prawns are very versatile.

Hope this helps!!

[whatgoingon in reply to Fitternotfatter2020]

Thank you.

[Zest]

Hi whatgoingon

I also tend to use frozen fish, and find it to be really good. Salmon, haddock, prawns and sea bass are the ones I've personally enjoyed from frozen, and thought were tasty. I also like to use the seafood mixes for fish pies.

Hope you find some fish that you enjoy.

Zest

[whatgoingon in reply to Zest]

Thank you. I appreciate your answer. I will see if they have any of these kinds of fish.

[boaters]

Nothing beats a nice piece of smoked haddock. Not the bright yellow variety though - that's full of dye. Go for the undyed. Being smoked it has a slightly longer shelf life. Sea bass and sea bream are good too.

[whatgoingon in reply to boaters]

Thank you. Not sure if I can get smoked haddock locally.

[kitchengardener2]

We eat lots of fish, we buy in enough for a few weeks and freeze at home. For fish pies we use haddock, salmon and a few king prawns. Always use raw prawns otherwise they tend to be rubbery.

We buy whole sea bass, mackerel in season, trout is nice just baked.

Suppose we are lucky I that we live on the coast and have a good fish supplier. Supermarket fish is generally not great but we do buy whole salmon, portion and freeze at home, often you get an expensive fish very reasonably priced.

[whatgoingon in reply to kitchengardener2]

Thank you. I think the Salmon is the only one I have tried that actually tastes good. Our store has some strange ones. Whiting tastes bad. They have tilapia but I'm not sure that's a good fish to eat.

[kitchengardener2 in reply to whatgoingon]

Tilapia also called River Cobbler is a bottom feeder and tastes earthy. I personally won't eat it, after reading that some people had been ill. I think it was introduced from the far east to the west as a cheap alternative to white fish. Try haddock or cod, just put in a baking dish, cover with milk and bake for about ten minutes then grate cheese over and pop under grill until bubbly. Delicious!!

[amykp]

I buy it fresh (you probably can too, even in montana) but buy a small amount and cook it THAT DAY.

I don't like things that taste fishy, so it's either white fish filets like flounder or haddock that I saute in lots of butter and garlic, and lemon... Or else, skinless salmon, which I marinate for several hours in dijon mustard, a little mayo, lemon and soy sauce and either fry up in olive oil or grill outside.

Crispy garlic lemon butter poured over any fish is never a bad thing!

Check outdates when you buy. Ask the fish guy (American for fishmonger? :o) which is the freshest. And if it is a "stronger" fish (like salmon) try marinating it.

[whatgoingon in reply to amykp]

Thank you for these tips. Maybe I can eat some "not so good tasting" fish if I put your seasoning on it.

[kitchengardener2 in reply to amykp]

Fish should never smell fishy until it is right up under your nose, if it smells when unwrapped, it is not fresh. Whole fish should have bright eyes and a glossy skin.

[whatgoingon in reply to kitchengardener2]

Thank you for this tip. I love good fresh fish. I live in Montana in the middle of Western US. I went to Seattle --coastal city and had some fish there and I have never tasted such good fish. I guess shipping, etc to our state make for not so good fish.

[amykp]

Yeah but, don't buy not-so-good-tasting fish. It isn't worth it it. Take EPA and DHA oil separately, if you are worried about that, but imo don't eat what you don't like.

I also hear liver is really good for you, but, just...NO. Never. Yuck.

[whatgoingon in reply to amykp]

You made me laugh. I agree. No point in eating yucky food.