Cooking Seafood
How to STEAM Seafood
1. Choose a broad, shallow pan with a steaming rack that fits snugly. Be sure you also have a lid that will fit snuggly over the steaming pan.
2. Arrange the seafood on a heatproof plate that fits into the steamer. Sprinkle the seafood with seasoning and aromatic vegetables as called for in the recipe.
3. Bring the water to a boil in the steamer. set the plate of seafood on the steamer rack, put the rack over the boiling water and cover tightly with the lid.
4. Steam the seafood until it it opaque through the center of the thickest part. Transfer the seafood and vegetables to individual plates and serve.
Good for:
* All Fish fillets or steaks (avoid meaty fish such as tuna)
* All shellfish
* Whole fish (as large as the steamer can accomodate)
Technique Tips
For Steaming, seafood is set on a rack (not touching) boiling water in a covered pan. The steam circulates around the seafood and evenly cooks it with moist heat. No added fat is needed, making this one of the most health-conscious cooking methods.
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How to BAKE Seafood
1. Preheat the oven. Arrange the seafood in an even layer in a lightly oiled or buttered baking dish, folding the ends under for even cooking.
2. Sprinkle the seafood with the seasoning, coating, vegetables or whatever is called for in the recipe.
3. Bake the seafood until it is opaque through the thickest part. The time will vary, but 10 minutes per inch of thickness is a good rule of thumb.
4. Transfer the seafood and vegetables to individual plates. Spoon any remaining cooking juices over the seafood and serve immediately.
Good for:
* All Fish fillets or steaks
* All shellfish
* Whole fish (as large as the over can accommodate)
Technique Tips
Baking is so versatile that everything from thin fillets to oysters on the half-shell to large whole fish can be baked. Smaller fillets or fish pieces should cook at a high temperature (425 F) so that they can cook quickly and retain moisture. Large pieces and whole fish should be cooked at a moderate temperature (350 F) so that the heat can penetrate to the interior without cooking the exterior.
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How to BROIL Seafood
1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a shallow dish and stir to mix. Add the seafood and turn to evenly coat. Or lightly season with salt and pepper.
2. Set the oven rack 3-4 inches from the top and preheat the broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil and lightly oil. Take the seafood from the marinade. Arrange the pieces on the prepared broiler pan.
3. Broil the seafood for a few minutes, as directed in the recipe. Turn the seafood and spoon on any reserved marinade, if using.
4. Continue broiling until the seafood is just opaque through the thickest part (cut to test). Transfer to individual plates and serve.
Good for:
* Fillets or steaks 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick
* Shrimp, scallops, squid (preferably skewered)
* Whole fish (as large as the over can accommodate)
Technique Tips
Baking is so versatile that everything from thin fillets to oysters on the half-shell to large whole fish can be baked. Smaller fillets or fish pieces should cook at a high temperature (425 F) so that they can cook quickly and retain moisture. Large pieces and whole fish should be cooked at a moderate temperature (350 F) so that the heat can penetrate to the interior without cooking the exterior.
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How to Poach Seafood
1. Combine water and seasoning in a broad, shallow pan, checking that the liquid is deep enough to cover the seafood.
2. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat so that the liquid actively moves, but o bubbles break the surface. Add the seafood
3. Poach, uncovered, until the seafood is opaque through the thickest part. Transfer the seafood to a plate, cover to keep warm and set aside
4. Ladle some cooking liquid through a strainer into a small pan and boil to reduce by half. Season as directed. Spoon the sauce over the seafood and serve.
Good for:
Scallops, shrimp, squid, shucked oysters. Whole fish as poacher size allows. Fish fillets and steaks. Avoid tuna, swordfish, shark.
Technique Tips
In poaching, seafood is submerged in hot liquid. The liquid can be plain water, or it can be mixed with seasonings, herbs, fish stock, wine or other flavorful additions. The best pan for poaching is broad and shallow, rather than narrow and tall, so the seafood can lie flat in an even layer. It’s important to remember that “poaching” is not the same thing as “boiling”. Boiling can damage the seafood, breaking it into pieces and cooking it unevenly. Remaining cooking liquid, especially if it contains herbs or fish stock, is delicious and can be strained to use as a soup base or boiled and reduced for a sauce.
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How to Sauté Seafood
1. Lightly pat the seafood dry with paper towel to reduce splattering during cooking. Dust with coating and pat to remove excess.
2. Heat the oil or butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the seafood and cook over medium heat until browned.
3. Turn the seafood and continue cooking until well browned and opaque through the thickest part. Cooking time is about 10 minutes per inch thickness.
4. Transfer the seafood to plates, cover with foil to keep warm and make a quick sauce in the skillet. Pour the sauce over the seafood and serve immediately.
Good for:
Whole trout or small catfish. Fish fillets under 1 ¼ inch thick. Shucked oysters, large shrimp, scallops
Technique Tips
Sauteing is a less active cooking method than its cousin stir-frying. Sautéing is done over moderate heat, browning the seafood on one side, then turning it over to finish cooking on the other. Very thin fillets are tricky to sauté because they become fragile as they cook; consider streaming them instead. To create a nice crisp coating when sautéing first dust the seafood with a light coating of flour, fine cornmeal, breadcrumbs or finely chopped nuts. Because sautéing requires the use of fat (oil, butter, margarine), you can’t avoid the added calories, but if you use a skillet with a non-stick surface you can get away with using a minimum of added fat.
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How to Deep-Fry Seafood
1. Fill an electric fryer or heavy, deep pan about 1/3 full of vegetable oil and preheat to 375 degrees. Coat the seafood with seasoned flour; pat to remove the excess.
2. Dip the seafood quickly in milk, then thoroughly cover with the outer coating. Pat to remove excess and set aside on a plate.
3. Gently add the seafood; the oil should bubble actively around the seafood, indicating it is the correct temperature.
4. Fry until evenly browned, gently turning once or twice for even cooking. To check if done, cut into one piece to see if it is opaque through. Drain on paper towels before serving.
Caution:
Deep-frying requires careful attention to avoid fire, or other accidents. Never fill a fryer more than 1/3 full of oil. Keep handles and cords directly toward the back of the work area to avoid tipping the fryer. Take care that no water comes in contact with the hot oil or it will splatter violently. Keep an open box of baking soda on hand for small flare-ups. Every kitchen should be equipped with a fire extinguisher.
Technique Tips
Most types of seafood can be deep-fried, though some are better than others. Among the best are shrimp, scallops, oysters, squid and white fish such as cod, halibut and sole. The seafood pieces should be equally sized to ensure even cooking. The most important part of successful frying is thoroughly coating the food before placing it in the hot oil. This forms a protective barrier between the food and the oil, sealing in moisture and reducing splattering. Coatings range from flour to a variety of batters.