Clean the Fish Before Cooking
One of the most important steps to prevent fish from smelling fishy is proper preparation. This step involves more than just rinsing the fish with tap water; there are a few additional steps you should take.
When you get home from the market, scale, gut, and trim the fins of the fish. Pay special attention to removing the thin, dark membrane inside the abdomen, as this is a common source of that fishy smell. If not removed, it can affect the flavor of your dish.
Remove the Thin Nerve from the Fish’s Body
During preparation, make a small incision about 1 cm away from the fish’s head. You will see a thin, white nerve; gently pull it out. Do this on both sides of the fish. Removing this nerve will help reduce the fishy odor significantly.
Use Lemon to Get Rid of the Fishy Smell
Lemon contains citric acid, which helps neutralize the compounds that cause the fishy smell. Additionally, the pleasant aroma of lemon can mask any remaining fishy odor. Rub the lemon all over the inside and outside of the fish to remove slime and neutralize odors.
There are several methods to eliminate the fishy smell from fish.
Use Vinegar to Remove the Fishy Odor
Similar to lemon, vinegar contains acetic acid, which can break down the smelly compounds in fish. You can dilute vinegar with water and use it to wash the fish, removing excess blood and slime while also reducing the fishy smell. However, avoid soaking the fish in vinegar for too long, as it may cause the fish to become soft and lose its natural firmness.
Use Rice Water to Clean the Fish
Rice water contains a small amount of starch and compounds that can help eliminate the fishy smell. Soak the fish in rice water for about 15 minutes, then rinse it with clean water to remove any remaining odor.
Marinate the Fish with Odor-Neutralizing Spices
Spices play a crucial role in fish dishes. It’s important to choose the right ones to enhance the flavor and prevent a fishy smell.
A simple marinade can be made with salt, cooking wine, onion, and ginger. Salt helps firm up the fish meat and reduce odor. Cooking wine is an effective ingredient for removing fishy smells in various dishes. Onions and ginger contain essential oils that impart a delightful aroma to the dish. Combining these ingredients and marinating the fish for about 30 minutes before cooking will enhance the flavor of your dish.
Use Hot Water When Cooking Fish
When making fish soup or stew, always use hot water to prevent a fishy smell. Cooking fish in cold water can cause the fishy compounds to dissolve into the water, affecting the taste of your dish. Using hot water causes the surface of the fish to contract quickly, sealing in the natural sweetness.
Herbs and Spices for Cooking Fish
When cooking fish, don’t forget the importance of herbs and spices. Depending on the dish and your preferred cooking method, you can choose the most suitable herbs and spices. Typically, aromatic herbs like onion, dill, and coriander are used when making fish soup. For stewed fish, you might consider adding tea leaves or wood sorrel leaves to neutralize odors.
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