Introduction: Fish is a delicious and nutritious meal, but many people shy away from cooking it due to the strong odor it can leave behind. While vinegar and alcohol are commonly used to mask or eliminate these smells, there’s a lesser-known, natural trick that can help you avoid the odor without needing to resort to these strong-smelling ingredients. The key lies in removing a specific tendon when cleaning the fish. This simple method can drastically reduce the fishy smell, leaving your kitchen and hands fresh and odor-free. Read on to discover how you can make your fish cleaning process more pleasant.
Ingredients:
Fresh fish (your choice of species, such as salmon, trout, or bass)
Sharp knife or kitchen shears
Clean workspace (cutting board and paper towels)
Instructions:
Prepare the Fish: Start by thoroughly washing your fish under cold water. Rinse the scales off and remove the guts if necessary.
Locate the Tendon: The key to removing the odor lies in a tendon that runs along the fish’s back, near the spine. It is often a small, white, string-like structure that is flexible and can be easily pulled out once identified.
Cutting the Tendon: Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, gently cut around the tendon without damaging the surrounding flesh. Depending on the size of the fish, this tendon could be prominent or relatively small.
Remove the Tendon: Once you’ve cut around the tendon, carefully pull it out from the fish. It should come away easily if you’ve made a clean incision. The tendon might have a slightly rubbery texture, but it will slide right out without much resistance.
Finish Cleaning: After removing the tendon, give the fish another rinse under cold water to ensure it is clean and free of any remaining residue.
Tips for Serving and Storing:
Freshness Is Key: For the best results, always clean fish as soon as possible after purchasing or catching it. Fresh fish will have the least amount of odor.
Use for Immediate Cooking: After cleaning and removing the tendon, it’s ideal to cook the fish immediately. If you need to store it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it, using it within a day or two to maintain its freshness.
Refrigeration for Odor-Free Storage: Keep your cleaned fish in an airtight container or resealable bag to prevent the smell from lingering in your fridge. If you store the fish on ice, make sure it is draining properly to avoid the accumulation of fishy liquid.
Variants:
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