Eels are a type of fish that belong to the Anguilla family and are commonly found in ponds, ditches, rice fields, and streams. Eel meat is highly nutritious and offers numerous health benefits. Read on to learn more about eels, how to prepare and cook delicious eel dishes, and the health benefits of consuming this unique fish.
1 All About Eels
How to Distinguish Eels from Snakes
Distinguishing Eels from Snakes
When searching for food or hiding, eels tend to burrow into the mud, so when they move, they always keep their heads down. In contrast, snakes lift their heads slightly to observe their surroundings as they slither along. A snake’s head also tends to be wider at the back.
How to Tell Wild Eels from Farmed Eels
Wild Eels: These eels have yellow bellies, black backs, pointed tails, and round bodies. The meat of wild eels is firmer and has a more delicate flavor.
Distinguishing Wild and Farmed Eels
Farmed Eels: Farmed eels have light yellow bellies mixed with blackish-brown backs, small heads, and short tails. Their meat tends to be softer, less chewy, and less flavorful compared to wild eels.
How to Differentiate Male and Female Eels
Male Eels: The tail end of male eels tapers to a point, making the tail appear longer. During the breeding season, the belly of the male eel becomes slender and firm. The genital opening is small, and a gentle press around this area will release clear sperm.
Distinguishing Male and Female Eels
Female Eels: The tail end of female eels flares out, making the tail appear shorter, and their bodies appear rounder. During the breeding season, the female eel’s belly expands due to the presence of eggs. The genital opening is pink, and a gentle press on the belly feels soft. Notably, female eels swim slower than male eels due to the weight of the eggs they carry.
2 Health Benefits of Eel Meat
Rich Source of Protein
Eel meat has a high protein content, comparable to that of beef. Therefore, it is an excellent source of protein for people of all ages, including children.
Prevents Anemia
Eels are also rich in iron. Consuming 125 grams of eel meat daily can provide 25mg of iron to the body. Iron is essential for preventing anemia.
Promotes Bone and Tooth Development
Health Benefits of Eel Meat
Eel meat is an excellent source of phosphorus. In the body, phosphorus exists as calcium phosphate crystals in bones and teeth. It helps strengthen bones and teeth and prevents osteoporosis.
Rich in Vitamins
Eels provide a good amount of vitamins such as A, B, and E. These vitamins are beneficial for maintaining epithelial cells and supporting metabolic processes in the body.
Additionally, in traditional medicine, eel meat is believed to have various health benefits, including nourishing the blood, treating rheumatism, curing malnutrition, relieving constipation and back pain, and addressing conditions like hemorrhoids, rheumatism, and leukorrhea in women.
3 Medicinal Eel Recipes for Treating Various Ailments
Eel meat can be prepared in numerous ways, each offering different medicinal benefits. Here are some notable eel-based remedies for various health conditions:
Recipe for Treating Rheumatism, Joint Pain, and Hemorrhoids with Bleeding:
Purchase 300-400g of eels, clean and gut them, and season with herbs and spices to taste. Wrap the eels in Xương Sông and Lốt leaves, then grill until cooked. Consume this dish as part of your regular meal.
Grilled Eel Wrapped in Lốt Leaves
Recipe for Treating Tuberculosis and Persistent Cough:
Use 250g of eel, 15g of Xuyên Bối Mẫu, 30g of Bách Hợp, 15g of Bạch Bộ, and 4g of Ngũ Vị Tử. Clean the eel, then place the medicinal herbs in a cloth bag and cook them together with the eel until tender. Remove the herb bag, and season to taste.
Consume this dish 1-2 times/day, preferably while still hot, for about 10 consecutive days.
Recipe for Recovering from Weakness, Anemia, Pale Complexion, Fatigue, and Weight Loss:
Use 300-500g of eel, 15g of Đảng Sâm, and 15g of Đương Quy. Clean the eel and place the medicinal herbs in a cloth bag. Add just enough water to a pot and cook this mixture for about an hour, then add scallions, ginger, salt, and cooking oil. Consume this dish with rice.
Eel Stewed with Alcohol
Recipe for Improving Weakness, Weight Loss, Cold Hands and Feet, and Bleeding in Stool and Urine:
Use 500ml of alcohol and 500g of eel. Clean and gut the eel, then place it in a pot with the alcohol, salt, and an appropriate amount of water. Simmer over low heat until the eel is tender. Consume this dish with a little vinegar.
Recipe for Treating Children with Accumulated Phlegm:
Use 50g of eel meat, 10g of Kê Nội Kim, and appropriate seasonings. Cook until tender and consume 1-2 times/day for 5-7 consecutive days.
4 Tips for Choosing and Preparing Eels to Avoid a Fishy Taste and Sliminess
Here are some secrets to help you select the best eels and prepare them properly to ensure delicious eel dishes:
How to Choose Fresh and Delicious Eels
Look for eels that are of moderate size and have distinct yellow bellies and black backs. These eels are typically caught from fields, ponds, or streams, and their meat tends to be firmer and more flavorful compared to farmed eels.
Tips for Choosing Fresh and Delicious Eels
Very small eels may not taste as good, while overly large eels (with black bellies) are usually farmed, and their meat tends to be softer, less chewy, and less flavorful.
Methods for Preparing Eels to Avoid a Fishy Taste and Sliminess
Method 1: Rub Eels with Salt
Rubbing Eels with Salt
Place the eels in a plastic bag, add salt, tie the bag tightly, and shake vigorously. Then, use your hands to rub the salt onto the eels’ bodies for about 2 minutes to remove the slime. Next, open the bag, rinse the eels with warm water, and pat them dry.
Method 2: Soak Eels in Hot Water
Soaking Eels in Hot Water
Fill a basin with hot water at about 70-80°C and place the eels in it. They will wriggle and release their slime. Once they stop moving, gut them, and rinse with salted water.
Method 3: Rub Eels with Ash
Rubbing Eels with Ash
Use ash to rub the eels’ bodies a few times, then brush off the excess ash and rinse the eels with clean water.
Method 4: Freeze Eels
Freezing Eels
Place live eels in a plastic bag, seal it tightly, and freeze for about 2 hours. Then, soak them in water and gently rub their bodies with a net cloth to remove the slime.
5 Delicious Eel Dishes
Eels can be prepared in numerous mouthwatering ways. Here are some suggestions for delicious eel dishes:
Grilled Eel
Grilled Eel
The grilled eel pieces are soft and flavorful, enhanced by the enticing aroma of various spices. Enjoy them with fresh herbs, dipping sauces like sweet and sour fish sauce or chili salt.
Eel Hot Pot
Eel Hot Pot
A warm and comforting eel hot pot with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. Accompany it with a variety of fresh herbs like water lily bulbs, dọc mùng, bean sprouts, tomatoes, and shredded banana flowers. For an extra kick, prepare a spicy dipping sauce.
Crispy Fried Eel
The crispy fried eel exudes the enticing aroma of lốt leaves and is coated in a golden batter. The crispy exterior gives way to tender, sweet eel meat.
Crispy Fried Eel
Enjoy this dish with chili sauce or sweet and sour fish sauce to fully appreciate its flavors.
Steamed Eel with Lemongrass
The dish is characterized by the alluring fragrance of crushed ginger and lemongrass. The steamed eel is tender, with a hint of sweetness and a subtle spicy kick from the chili.
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