Seafood Safety At Home
Whether you grew up by the ocean or you have always loved the taste of crab or lobster, you will probably agree that there is nothing quite as tasty as fresh fish or shellfish, prepared well and piping hot. With all of today's warnings about food contamination fears ringing in our heads, though, it can be a little hard to properly relax and enjoy your delicious meal. However, it is important to think about food safety when it comes to seafood, but with a little bit of information, you'll find that it is a lot more straightforward than you might have originally thought.
When you are purchasing fish at the supermarket or farmer's market, make sure you examine the fish thoroughly. Remember that fresh fish and shellfish do not have a smell at all; if your fish smells fishy or oily, put it back. You will notice that the eyes on a fresh fish are clear and bulge out a little; fish that have sat for a while have sunken eyes. Similarly, make sure that the flesh around the eyes is not brown or yellow. The flesh of the fish should be shiny and firm and the gills should be free of any discharge.
When you are out grocery shopping, make sure that the fish counter is the last stop of the day. The less time that your fish spends at room temperature, the better off you are! Ask your cashier to double-bag your fish and to package it separately from your other food; this will ensure that the fish's juices do not spill out to contaminate the other food.
When making your baked fish recipes at home, keep the knives and cutting board you use for the fish away from the vegetables, unless they have been washed with hot, soapy water first. Some people prefer to use different cutting boards and knives for fish, meat, and vegetables, to avoid any risk of contamination.
Never place cooked food on an unwashed plate where raw meat, fish, or poultry has been. The bacteria might contaminate the cooked food. A food thermometer can tell you with total accuracy whether food is safe to eat. You cannot do this with sight alone.
And what about raw seafood? Japanese sushi and sashimi is popular, as are raw oysters on the half shell. No matter how good they look and how professional the presentation is, you need to remember that there is always a slight risk with raw seafood. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk, as are expectant mothers. You can make your choices whilst being aware of the facts.
There is no reason at all not to enjoy your baked fish recipes, grilled fish recipes, tilapia recipes or whatever kind of fish recipes you fancy trying out. Just remember the tips and precautions and your fish recipe meal should turn out great!