Do you know that Rockfish is a healthy and tasty alternative to Red Snapper, one of the world’s most expensive fish?
According to Forbes, about 6% of the Red Snapper sold in restaurants is real Red Snapper while the remaining is just Tilapia which tastes way inferior to Rockfish.
One of the longest-living and all-season fish available in the markets throughout the year, Rockfish is an ideal dish that can be enjoyed at the family table or served at dinner parties.
It is good for your body and good for your wallet. If you haven’t tasted Rockfish yet, we will tell you how it tastes.
So, what does Rockfish really taste like?
What is Rockfish?
Generally referring to all fishes that lie around and under rocks, Rockfish is a fish from the Scorpionfish family with big eyes, heads with bony plates, and sharp, poisonous fins.
They range in bright orange and brown to black colors and may have plain or blotched and striped bodies.
They are versatile fish with plenty of preparation options growing anywhere from two up to forty pounds, depending on the species.
Rockfish genus covers more than 100 varieties, but some of the most common types include vermillion rockfish, canary rockfish, bocaccio rockfish, chillipepper rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and shortbelly rockfish.
More commonly known as rock cod or Pacific snapper, Rockfish are abundantly present on the Californian coast.
What Does Rockfish Taste Like? Does Rockfish Taste Good?
With Rockfish, you get an intense flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty. The meat is lean and much firmer than other popular varieties of fish.
Because the oil content in rockfish is relatively low, they have a light and flaky texture.
Cook it with herbs, sauces, or spices, and your fish will take on the flavor of the ingredients very well.
They taste great in any recipe, from baked, steamed, grilled, and fried to even raw dishes.
All these make rockfish a stable food that deserves a permanent place in your freezer.
No matter your food preferences, you are likely to find a rockfish recipe that titillates your taste buds and complements your entire meal course.
Rockfish has high nutritional value with 78% protein, generous amounts of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
It is a low carbohydrate, low-fat fish with just 90 calories per 100 grams of raw serving size.
If you are looking for a low-calorie fish, Rockfish supplies a bulk of your protein and other nutritional needs without compromising taste or escalating the calorie count.
And as with all other fishes, consuming Rockfish can bring additional benefits to your health.
It reduces the risks of heart diseases and helps lower blood pressure.
A wide variety of popular fishes like salmon, herring, mackerel, and catfish have higher amounts of fat than rockfish.
If we are to follow current dietary recommendations by experts, Rockfish is a low-fat alternative.
How to Cook Rockfish?
You can go for a whole fish or filleted pieces in the seafood section of a grocery store.
However, we recommend that you buy a whole fish, in which case you can check out the eyes and gills to make sure that it is fresh.
In the case of filleted fish, it will be challenging to determine the freshness.
Cooking it whole is a fun way to enjoy the Rockfish. You can use more uncomplicated recipes and then gradually explore more.
For instance, you can season it and steam the whole fish or bake it in the oven.
An advantage of buying a whole fish is that you can preserve the head and then use it to prepare the fish stock.
Rockfish fillets go well with several herbs, butter, and light sauces. You can sauté, pan fry, deep fry, or make curries out of the fish.
Because of their mild taste, they go with almost any recipe and are easy to cook.
Rockfish have one of the tastiest skins, so you can include them in your cooking if you like.
They are also a great option for fish tacos and several Asian cuisines.
Conclusion
Even if you are a starter at cooking, you can’t go wrong with Rockfish.
Just make sure that you put on rubber gloves and don’t puncture your hands with the sharp fins while filleting.
Rockfish are healthy, affordable, and available. It is also popular in several Asian countries, and a lot of westerners enjoy Asian recipes.
You can check them out if you are one to experiment with new food.
What Does Rockfish Taste Like? Does Rockfish Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Rockfish
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!