Avoid This Mistake If You Want To Buy The Best-Tasting Fish For Your Meal
Thanks to modern technology — from faster cars to refrigeration advancements — we can go to our local grocery store and pick up some fish. Okay, sure, going to the grocery store to pick up salmon for dinner on any given day of the week isn't exactly on anyone's list of being an incredibly mind-blowing feat. Still, we may take the idea of getting fresh, quality seafood for granted. After all, we're a long way from the fish markets of medieval lore.
Of course, with such a wide selection of fish, there's bound to be some confusion about what exactly qualifies as the best type of fish to get. What's the most flavorful? What's the cheapest? Is any of the fish fresh? Cook's Country has an exhaustive list of fish one can usually find at the local grocer, such as haddock and flounder, as well as certain tips on which fish is best for a select cooking method. Some chefs shared their opinions with Insider on which fish you should buy or skip over. While their opinions are something to consider, it only adds to the confusion of what type of fish is the best to serve as a delicious, flavorful, flaky, and all-around satisfying meal.
There is one mistake, however, that some say you should avoid if you want to get the most out of your seafood dinner.
Keep an open mind while looking for fish
The Kitchn had a chance to talk fish with Wegmans fishmonger Mark Fromm, in which he was asked about certain things customers should know about buying fish from a supermarket. One of Fromm's pieces of advice is simple: just write fish — one word, no specific variety — on your grocery order. Don't try to be too specific, don't rummage through the seafood section looking for cod or salmon, just go into the grocery store with one goal: look for fish.
Why be so vague? According to Fromm, you should let yourself be open to different types of seafood rather than restrict yourself to a specific type. Each variety brings something to the table in terms of flavor and texture, so trying out different kinds of fish can result in a more interesting dinner. Instead of settling for your usual way of cooking salmon, why not try fresh haddock or maybe homemade fish and chips with some cod? While you may not like all the fish you try, you'll be bound to find more than a few varieties you like.
In a sense, there is no single best fish you can get in the supermarket. Each type has its benefits, and it's a matter of opinion as to which is best to try.
Don't be afraid of talking to the fishmonger
Buying fish from the grocery store is kind of like buying a car from a dealership. There are a lot of choices, some look better than others, and you may sense that something fishy is going on. If you find yourself overwhelmed, you can ask the staff behind the counter for help.
As Real Simple explains, talking to the fishmonger is an excellent way to get helpful advice on your fish selection. If you have questions about what kind of fish is good, in season, or if it's sustainably sourced, the fishmonger can help you. Like buying a car, talking to the salesperson is a good indicator of the product's quality. If the fishmonger is helpful and can answer all your questions quickly, then you know their fish will be a good purchase. If they're evasive, confused, and seem more interested in making a profit, you're right to be a little wary of what they're selling.
The Healthy Fish also offers a good cheat sheet of questions you can ask to get the best possible fish for your meal. It never hurts to have a good relationship with someone who knows their way around meat, right?