Perhaps one of most famous fish species found in Australia is the Atlantic salmon. It is also sometimes referred to as the ‘king of fish’ probably because of the great distances that the fish cover in the course of their lifetimes. The fish derive their name from the Atlantic Ocean, which is their original habitat. However, with the development of fish farming all around the world, the fish can now be found far from the Atlantic Ocean. It is important to note at this point that the Atlantic salmon is one of the most beautiful and delicious varieties of fish in Australia and is an integral component of many types of cuisine enjoyed throughout the country. This said, most people often miss out on the full enjoyment of the fish due to the lack of sufficient knowledge regarding the selection of the best Atlantic salmons as well as how to prepare them. The tips listed in the rest of this article should help in shedding better light on this amazing fish and help fish lovers get an even better experience.
How to choose the best Atlantic salmon
As indicated before, the freshness of the fish always plays a great role in determining how tasty the fish is going to be after it has been prepared. It is very unlikely that people would enjoy an amazing fish meal if the fish that was used was not fresh to begin with. This is why the first and most important step in picking out the most suitable Atlantic salmon must be to choose the one that is the freshest. So how does one know whether an Atlantic salmon is fresh? Here are some essential tips to choosing fresh Atlantic salmon:
– If you wish to buy the whole fish, in order to determine whether the fish is fresh you first have to look at its eyes. The eyes of fresh salmon are supposed to be clear and bright, without any clouding. On the other hand, dull and cloudy eyes suggest that the fish has been dead for quite a while. In addition, you should also examine the skin of the fish. For very fresh fish, the skin should still be slightly moist.
– When you are buying pieces of the fish, you may not be able to examine the eyes of the particular Atlantic salmon that has been filleted. This is true when buying steaks and fillets made out of the fish. In this case, the best way to tell whether the fish is fresh is by looking at the edges of the pieces. Browning at these edges suggests that the fish is not fresh. Fresh cut fish should have a moist and freshly cut appearance. In addition, the flesh of fresh salmon is usually bouncy and should spring back slightly whenever it is pressed. If the flesh on your piece of fish does not spring back, then the fish may not be fresh.
– The next tip is the smell of the fish. All fresh fish normally has a pleasant sea scent that smells fresh. The presence of any strong or unpleasant smells on the Atlantic salmon is a clear indication that the fish is not fresh.
Following the tips that are listed above should ensure that at the end of your shopping, the Atlantic salmon that you will have bought is as fresh as possible. The next important thing to know is how to handle the salmon in order to ensure that it remains fresh until the time when it is to be cooked.
How to handle Atlantic salmon
The salmon should be transported and stored in cool conditions, like all other fresh fish, preferably in ice. Before the fish is stored in a refrigerator, first you will need to rinse it using cold water and then dry it gently. It is important to note that the fish will taste best if it is eaten within the shortest time from the time it was purchased. However, sometimes it may have to be stored first and in such an event, the best way to store the Atlantic salmon for more than a day or two is to freeze it. Due to the fact that the fish contains a number of essential oils within it, it is possible to freeze the fish without significantly changing the delicate texture or taste that it is popular for. One good tip to freezing Atlantic salmon is to put the fish in an airtight container first. This way, it can remain fresh for more than two months. The best way to thaw the fish when you wish to cook it is by placing it in a fridge, as opposed to putting in out in room temperature exposure or using warm water or a microwave. This will help ensure that the delicate taste is to preserved. Once the fish has been thawed, it should never be frozen again, nor brought into contact with fresh fish as the tastes of both may end up being corrupted.
Cooking Atlantic salmon
There are many different ways in which you can choose to cook Atlantic salmon, each of which has been known to give the salmon a unique and delicious taste. For instance, you may choose to bake the fish while another person may prefer to barbeque it. The best cooking method depends on your personal tastes and preferences as well as the occasion you are cooking for. This said, there are a few basic rules for bringing out the best of the fish’s taste and which can be applied to all of the cooking methods. The first rule is that for every 2.5 cm thickness of the fish, high heat should be applied for about two minutes. This means that the first step is for you to measure the thickness of the fish in order to determine the heat to use. If, for instance you find that the fish to be cooked is 7.5cm thick, then you will need to apply high heat for 6 minutes. If the Atlantic salmon is being prepared with a heavy sauce, you should increase the cooking time by about 5 more minutes.
Claringbold’s always makes sure that the Atlantic salmon in the store is as fresh as possible and always top quality. If you are unsure how much salmon you need to purchase or how you should choose to prepare it, just ask one of our friendly team members. We love to help out!