Fish

If you are buying fish from a supermarket fish counter or from a fishmonger, ask them to weigh a piece so you can see what sort of size you are looking for. If you are making a stew or mashing the fish to a paté, you can buy by weight alone. If you want good-looking pieces to serve as portions then choose your fish by the piece. Fresh fish should not have a really strong smell. It should be wet, but not slimy on the surface. Ask the fishmonger to remove skin or bones for you if that is what is required. Look out for sustainable fish caught in ways that look after the environment and control the amount caught. Your fishmonger should be able to tell you.