How do I effectively rub spices into fish?
I did a fish rub for the first time last night. I mixed the spices and then put the thawed tilapia fillets right into the bowl. I noticed two problems:
- The spices tended to clump up and became difficult to work with.
- After cooking I noticed that there were some VERY concentrated pockets of flavor; not at all uniform. Sometimes these were unpleasantly strong.
Any advice for next time?
Best Answer
First of all, if you're seasoning tilapia, you'll want to add some oil to it, since tilapia has almost no fat. So, here's the steps:
- Drizzle oil over the tilapia (both sides).
- Sprinkle it lightly with the spice mixture, all over
- Let sit 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with starch (e.g. flour) at this point if you're frying them.
Optionally, you can also add some lemon or lime juice (just a little) in step 1. You also want the tilapia sitting on something flat, with the filets in one layer, like a large plate or baking sheet, not heaped up in a bowl.
For spicing small filets, you want a finely ground, moderate-flavor spice mixture. Unlike beef or pork, you're not marinating the fish for a long time, and you're not cooking it for along time. So the spicing on the fish isn't really a "rub"; it's spicing to eat. I recommend against using rubs designed for meat on light fish like tilapia.
Pictures about "How do I effectively rub spices into fish?"
How do you get spices to stick to fish?
Transfer half of the seasoning mix to a large resealable plastic bag; set aside. Place 1 tablespoon oil in a large resealable plastic bag; add half of fish sticks and shake to coat. Transfer fish to resealable bag with seasonings and shake to coat. Place in a single layer in an ungreased baking sheet.What is the best seasoning to put on fish?
Best herbs and spices for fish and seafood dishes- Tarragon. There are three main types of tarragon: French, Russian and Mexican, although the former two are most widely used. ...
- Parsley. ...
- Chives. ...
- Dill. ...
- Smoked paprika. ...
- Ginger. ...
- Turmeric. ...
- Cumin.
How can I add flavor to my fish?
There are many ways to enhance its flavor, however, with fresh herbs like thyme or tarragon, or a marinade of soy sauce, spices and ginger. In the winter, a freshwater fish like whitefish is good seasoned with mustard, lemon and garlic and baked in the oven.When should I season my fish?
Seasoning the fish too soon before cooking. When seasoned too soon before cooking, the salt will start to break down the proteins in the salmon and draw moisture out of the fish. Follow this tip: No matter the method of cooking, season the fish just before it hits the pan, goes in the oven, or onto the grill.Fish Seasoning (Herbs \u0026 Spice) Recipe
More answers regarding how do I effectively rub spices into fish?
Answer 2
Try putting the spice mix in a container with a shaker top, then shake on to the fish. That way it will be more even than if you rub it in with your hands.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Spencer Selover, mali maeder, JAMIE DIAZ, Katerina Holmes