If there is no fish available in Bengali, the food of many people remains incomplete. But the strong fishy smell while cleaning fish or after cooking is a cause of discomfort for many people. To reduce that smell, known ingredients like lemon, lime or yellow can be used. But it is important to avoid some misconceptions regarding cleaning fish. Know, what things should be kept in mind before cutting the fish till cooking it.
wash hands thoroughly before fishing
The first step in cleaning fish is hand hygiene. Before cutting or catching fish, wash hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds. After catching raw fish, hands should be cleaned thoroughly. Use a separate cutting board and knife to cut the fish. Clean utensils, knives and kitchen surfaces that have come in contact with raw fish with soap and warm water. This reduces the risk of spreading germs from one food to another.
Remove dandruff, pimples and unwanted areas
According to the type of fish, thoroughly clean the scales, fins, fins and non-essential parts of the stomach. Then cut into pieces as required. Be careful while cutting the fish, so that the knife does not come towards the hand. If there is blood or any other visible dirt inside the fish, flush it out with clean drinking water.
You can use lemon juice to reduce the smell
Many people use water chestnut juice to reduce the fishy smell. You can prepare for cooking by rubbing a little lemon juice on the fish pieces and keeping them aside for a while. However, its effect may vary depending on the type of fish and cooking method. Although lemon juice helps in reducing the odor of fish, it is not a reliable method of disinfection. Therefore, it is important to cook the fish properly after marinating it with lemon.
Lemon and Yellow: Common Cooking Preparations
Eating raw and yellow oil before cooking fish is a common practice in Bengali kitchens. This increases the taste of the fish and makes cooking easier. It is not right to say that all the harmful bacteria in the fish get destroyed by keeping fresh and yellow fish in it for 10-15 minutes. For safety, fish must be cooked at sufficient heat.
Is it necessary to use baking soda or vinegar?
Some people use baking soda or water to reduce the smell of fish. But none of these are mandatory to ensure fish safety. In particular, excess baking soda can alter the taste and texture of the fish. If the fish's odor is unusually strong, has a turpentine odor, or smells like ammonia, do not try to cover up the odor with just lemon, lime, or garlic. It is safe not to eat such fish.
Does water remove germs and chemicals from fish?
There is no reliable basis for the claim that all the germs and chemical pesticides present on the fish are washed away in the water. Use safe drinking water to clean fish. If you suspect chemical contamination, do not rely on any household trick. The most important steps to ensure the safety of fish are proper storage and cooking at adequate temperatures. According to the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the fish should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 63 degrees Celsius. In the absence of a thermometer, if the flesh of the fish becomes mushy and separates easily with a spoon, it is a practical sign of completion of cooking.
Be careful about the smell and safety of fish
After bringing the fish from the market, immediately refrigerate it, if you do not cook it immediately. Keep raw fish in a separate container from other food and never serve cooked fish in an unrefrigerated container. Keep in mind that even fresh fish may contain some germs. Therefore, it cannot be confirmed whether the fish is safe or not just by looking at the smell. It is important to pay attention to the smell of the fish, its preservation and cooking method – everything.
If you clean fish properly before cooking it, it is easier to reduce the fishy smell and maintain the taste of the food. Lemon juice, lemon and yellow fish can help reduce the smell or enhance the taste. But washing with these ingredients does not destroy all the germs. To eat fish safely, it is most important to catch fish with clean hands, keep kitchen equipment clean and cook at adequate heat.