Eel meat is known as a high-value food used as an ingredient for many delicious dishes such as eel porridge, eel vermicelli, eel salad…. In 100 grams of eel meat, there can be about 18.7 grams of protein, 0.9 grams of fat, 150 milligrams of Phosphorus, 39 milligrams of Calcium, 1.6 milligrams of Iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, B1, B2, B6, and PP, or in 100 grams of eel meat, there is 0.05 grams of cholesterol and 285 calories.
In addition, eel meat also contains many other beneficial vitamins and minerals. When compared with other meats such as clams, freshwater shrimp, and freshwater crab, eel meat is classified as a nutritious food for patients, elderly people, and children.
Although eels are good, according to ancient ancestors, there is a very poisonous kind of eel to be avoided, it is called ‘moon-watching eel’, so what is the moon-watching eel?
Moon-watching eel, according to folklore, refers to this type of wild eel, which is much larger than normal rice-field eels, and it also has two characteristics: one is that it likes to eat dead bodies, like the bodies of dogs and cats in the fields, which are their favorite food. The second characteristic is that this type of eel also likes to come out on full moon nights, often raising its head to look at the moon, so it is called moon-faced eel.
Secondly, large eels are more toxic. Wild eels are indeed toxic, but the toxins are not in their meat but in their blood. The larger the wild eel, the greater the toxicity. As for smaller eels, they are easier to cook and their toxins can be destroyed without the need to remove the internal organs at high temperatures. However, for large eels, they must be killed to remove the internal organs and blood before cooking. On the contrary, if not cooked properly and thoroughly, it is still very easy to be poisoned.
Because of these legends, people believe that this type of wild eel is not edible. But there is no scientific basis for this issue.
In fact, sometimes wild eels lift their heads above the water. The reason for this is that the water quality has deteriorated, and the lack of oxygen in the water causes the eels to rise up to breathe in order to survive. Moreover, wild eels are nocturnal creatures, they mainly come out at night, and on nights with a full moon, it is easy to spot them, especially large rice paddy eels, that’s why they are often caught.
Tips for distinguishing wild eels and farmed eels
Wild eel: The belly of the eel is turmeric yellow, the tail is long and pointed, it looks quite slim. Sometimes sellers dye farmed eels to look like wild eels. However, they do not have long and sharp tails. Wild eels usually weigh quite small, about 500-600 grams, and the price is 200,000 VND/kg.
Farmed eel: When you turn the belly over, you will see a light yellow and dark brown color. When tasted, farmed eel meat is quite tender, and the price is about 80,000 – 100,000 VND/kg.
Consumers should also note not to buy dead or sick eels for processing when buying eels outside the market.
In eel meat, there are a lot of proteins, including the compound Histidine, which is good for the body, but when eels die, this compound is contaminated by bacteria and can be converted into toxic Histamine.
Some delicious dishes from wild eels
Eel vermicelli
The next dish will be the delicious eel vermicelli with its chewy and flavorful vermicelli noodles, stir-fried with tender shiitake mushrooms. The cleaned eel meat is fried to a crisp texture, so it won’t be fishy, on the contrary, it is very enticing to the taste buds.
If you are struggling to find a delicious breakfast dish for the whole family, this will be a good choice for you! Try it now!
Grilled eel
This grilled eel dish will be a great snack for you to cook and treat your friends on weekends! Everyone will praise its deliciousness!
After grilling, the eel will have the enticing aroma of lemongrass. When eating, you will feel the tender and sweet eel meat mixed with the creamy and fragrant coconut milk, which is rich and flavorful.
To enjoy this dish, you can eat it with hot rice or dip it with bread, both are incredibly delicious and appealing!
Steamed eel with banana and tofu
Steamed eel with banana and tofu is a dish with a rustic and countryside flavor. After cooking, this dish will have the enticing aroma of ginger and turmeric.
When enjoying, you will feel the soft and sweet eel meat combined with the flavored broth seasoned with spices, along with the soft and smooth tofu and the mild and gentle green banana.
Although made with rustic flavors, the taste of steamed eel with banana and tofu will leave an unforgettable impression on everyone!
Crispy fried eel
To make the eel dish more familiar to younger members of the family, you can make this crispy fried eel dish!
The crispy fried eel dish is presented on a plate with the tempting aroma of betel leaves and the beautiful yellow color of the surrounding crispy flour coating. When eating, you will feel the crispy and fragrant outer layer combining with the tender and sweet eel meat.
With this dish, you can dip it with chili sauce or sweet and sour fish sauce to fully experience the delicious taste of this dish!
Steamed eel with lemongrass
The steamed eel with lemongrass is presented on a plate with the alluring aroma of pounded lemongrass and ginger. When steamed, the eel becomes tender and well-cooked with a sweet and slightly spicy taste of chili.
Take a bite of the eel meat, eat it with some cilantro, and you will feel the rich and delicious aroma, the sweet and mellow taste of this dish.
To enhance the taste of this steamed dish, you can also add a bowl of salt and pepper lime sauce! Guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds!
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