Now is the perfect season to start incorporating fresh and flavorful fish into your cooking routine. The warmer weather is bringing back my faves (white fleshed fish like snapper, turbot, hind and coney).
So I’m already knee deep…
And as you may know I’ve been navigating the local fish scene over the last few years to slowly figure out what I like (or don’t) and what works (or doesn’t).
I even made a Bermuda Fish Chowder last summer and it was surprisingly good! I’ve always shied away from it due to hearing what a long and arduous process it was, but I didn’t think it was so bad.
Sidenote: I didn’t grow up eating local fish with any regularity; we were more of a fish stick kinda family. I imagine that may have been due to the price and/or maybe the perceived difficulty in preparing it. 🤷🏽♀️
But whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner, cooking with local fish is a great (and easy) way to add variety and a healthy (cleaner) protein to your meals. Here are some tips to get you started.
Choose the right fish. And by that I mean, get a fish guy (or fish stand) that you trust. He’ll give you a call when he gets in fish that he knows you like (and he may even deliver). I know I’m supposed to tell you to make sure the eyes aren’t cloudy and that it should smell like the ocean (not fish) but I’m all about easy is better than hard. I also sometimes can find local fish at Miles Market & The Supermart at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Experiment with different cooking methods. Fish can be cooked in a variety of ways, from grilling to baking to pan-searing. Even frying whole in butter. 🙌🏽 Experiment with different cooking methods to find the one that works best for the type of fish you are using. I find that baking on high heat works best for most of my favorite types, or pan searing for filets.
Incorporate fresh herbs with your spices. It’s a no brainer that you’ll be using spices 😉, but incorporating fresh herbs with your spices can add depth and complexity to your fish dishes. Use herbs like dill, parsley, and cilantro to brighten up your dishes, and spice things up with options like The Hot Mexican or The Middle Eastern. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations to find the ones that work best for you. I’m also a HUGE fan of The Herbed Turkey on fish. Make sure you score the fish and rub some seasoning into the cuts.
Pair with local seasonal produce. Spring is also the perfect season to experiment with fresh, seasonal produce. Try baking your fish on a bed of sliced local onions and carrots or cherry tomatoes. Or make a Salsa Verde or chimichurri with your collard greens to go with. And don’t sleep on a sweet salsa, like pineapple or mango. Not only will these pairings add flavor and texture to your dishes, but they will also provide a healthy dose of vitamins and nutrients. 😊
Add a touch of acid. A little acid can take your fish dishes to the next level. You can use citrus like lemon or lime to add a bright and tangy flavor, or use vinegars like balsamic or apple cider to add a rich depth of flavor. These acidic flavors will help to balance out the richness of the fish and spices. I love switching it up with lime instead of lemon to create a little interest.
Don’t forget the grass-fed butter. I’m a BIG fan of lemon butter sauce or a compound butter to elevate the flavor of fish. I like to do the opposite of what I seasoned the fish with. For example, if I used The Herbed Turkey on the fish, I’ll put The Hot Mexican in the butter. This is just another way to create complexity with your dishes. You don’t even need a recipe for either of these options.
Even though I call it a (lemon butter) sauce it is really just melted butter (however much you think you want) with a half lemon squeezed into it. You can even throw some chopped garlic into the mix. Taste it to decide if you want more lemon (or butter). Season. Add some chopped parsley if you want it to be prettier. I always do. 🤗
The compound butter is pretty much the same. Soften some butter. Stir in your spice blend of choice. (It could even be UMAMI Jerk!) Taste. Add more if you need to. Add some chopped parsley if you want it to be prettier. 🤗 Store any leftover butter in the fridge and use randomly.
Here’s a blog post I wrote on how to cook whole fish to get you started!
Let me know how you make out!