Buying Fish

Many cooks are afraid of buying fish because they don’t know if what they are getting is fresh. True, knowing what is fresh takes some knowledge and practice, but once you discover what to look for, you will recognize fresh fish immediately. First, a fresh whole fish is shiny, and almost always has bright eyes (some exceptions exist, such as the walleye). The irises should be clear, shiny, and translucent. It is also stiff and has no fishy smell—just an ocean smell. Choosing fillets and steaks is a little harder, because they have usually been skinned and, of course, have no eyes. White-fleshed fish commonly has pink or red pigmentation running the length of the fillet. If the fillets show any hint of brown or chocolate coloration, pass them up.