The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Seafood: Tips for Perfectly Seasoned and Delicious Dishes

To enjoy delicious seafood dishes, refer to the following authentic ways of preparing seafood!

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1. Seafood

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Seafood from the ocean is firm and sweet, and many types of seafood have a relatively low price, so they are loved by many people. When cleaning ocean fish, you should wash off the slime on the body and remove the scales, and cut off the fins. If the fish doesn’t have scales, you can remove the fat from the skin because this is the part that contains the most pollutants on ocean fish.

2. Seafood with shells

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Seafood such as clams, mussels… should be washed clean and soaked in water for about 3-5 hours to let them release all the sand and dirt inside before cooking. During soaking, it is recommended to change the water occasionally! For crabs, you can use a brush to clean the legs and claws, then soak them in salty water for a few hours.

3. Dried seafood

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Shrimp, squid, dried fish are types of dried seafood that are loved by many people, especially for appetizers or salad. However, all of these types contain some seasoning, preservatives… that can be harmful to your health. To minimize this toxicity, you should boil them in boiling water for about 10 – 15 minutes, then let them drain before cooking.

4. Seafood cooking methods to avoid

Instant grilling (smoke grilling, not oven grilling): The temperature when smoke grilling seafood is usually not enough to kill bacteria in the seafood, or if it does, it only kills bacteria on the surface while the bacteria eggs in the center are still intact. That’s why people with sensitive stomachs are more likely to experience stomach pain when eating grilled seafood.

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Dipping in hot pot: Dipping raw seafood in hot pot makes the seafood tender and sweet, but when the seafood is not fully cooked, they may contain parasitic larvae that can cause infection when consumed.

(Source: Cooking Tips book)
Frequently asked questions

There are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, choose fresh, high-quality seafood. Then, clean and prepare the seafood properly, removing any unwanted parts. Next, season the seafood well – this is key to a delicious dish. Use a variety of spices and herbs to enhance the natural flavor of the seafood. Finally, cook the seafood correctly according to its type and your desired doneness. For example, shrimp can be grilled, steamed, or boiled, while fish can be baked, fried, or poached.

Overcooking is a common issue, as seafood can become rubbery and dry if cooked too long. Each type of seafood has an ideal cooking time, so be sure to research this beforehand. Also, not using enough seasoning can result in bland dishes. Remember to be generous with your spices and herbs to truly bring out the flavor of the seafood.

Fresh seafood should have a bright, clear appearance. For fish, the gills should be red or pink, and the eyes should be clear and bulging. The flesh should be firm and spring back when pressed. When buying shellfish, make sure the shells are closed tightly, as this indicates that the shellfish is still alive and fresh.

Seafood should be stored at a cool temperature, ideally between 32-38 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s best to cook seafood within a day or two of purchasing, but if you need to store it longer, freeze it. To thaw, place the seafood in the refrigerator overnight, ensuring a slow and safe thawing process.

Firstly, clean the seafood thoroughly under running water. Remove any unwanted parts such as gills, scales, or shells. For fish, you may want to fillet it, and for shrimp, you can remove the vein. Pat the seafood dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure a nice sear and to avoid steam inhibiting the cooking process.