Fish Cookery

The freshness of any ingredient is important, but when it comes to fish and shellfish it is absolutely paramount due to the short shelf life of the product. Because of this brief time in which to sell the freshest fish, poor or sub-standard quality is often sold, so avoid the cheap deals. When sourcing a good fishmonger, choose one that has a high standard of hygiene in the shop and not a foul fish smell that lingers.

When choosing fresh fish, there are a few key signs to look for. Funnily enough it should not smell fishy, but should smell of the sea. The gills should be red and not grey, the eyes should be clear, not cloudy or dry, and the skin should be smooth and moist, not slimy or dehydrated.