Captain fish, or, as it is also called in encyclopedias, croaker, prefers to swim in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. This fish belongs to percussion and has incredible taste.
Consider how to cook it deliciously, share proven and popular recipes, where the main component is the captain's fish.
Features
Before you start cooking, a few words about the fish itself. If you look at the photo, the captain's fish is very similar to perch or zander. It has an elongated body, sharp teeth in the form of fangs, a large mouth, a silver color with white spots on the belly.
Its interesting feature is the ability to "talk". Due to the special structure of the muscles that are around the swimming bladder, the captain is able to make unusual laryngeal sounds, reminiscent of sea signals.
The nutritional value
By its taste, the captain fish is highly regarded in many cuisines of the world. Meat contains more than 21% protein. Fat content is only 3%. The croaker is famous for the fact that it has practically no marine taste and smell. In terms of its nutritional properties, meat resembles the taste of fish of inland waters familiar to us.
How to cook captain fish in the oven
The most popular option for cooking croaker is baking. The recipe will require a simple and straightforward set of ingredients:
- 650 g of fish;
- a pinch of salt;
- butter;
- one onion;
- ground black pepper;
- some vegetable oil.
Cooking
Gutted and rid of scales fish cut in portions. We shift them into a container. There we add finely chopped onions, salt and oil. Gently mix all the products and leave in the refrigerator for two hours. Then wrap the pickled pieces of fish in parchment paper. It can be lubricated in advance with a piece of butter. We wrap an envelope. We shift the fish to a baking sheet.
What are such recipes good for? Fish captain in the oven is an ideal option for busy housewives. Cooking time varies from 15 to 25 minutes. Served with boiled potatoes and garlic sauce.
Marinade fish
This cooking option is familiar to our grandmothers. Fish under the marinade is an unusual taste, familiar to many from childhood. Only earlier was a cheaper kind of fish used, for example, pollock or hake. Today we will use the captain's fish as the main component.
List of Essential Ingredients
So, let's go through the list of necessary products that will be required for cooking fish under the marinade:
- 1 kg captain;
- vegetable oil;
- salt;
- flour;
- tomato paste;
- favorite spices;
- vinegar;
- any vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, onions and the like).
Just note that in this cooking option there is no exact indication of the quantity and weight of the ingredients. Each mistress herself decides which ingredient to put more, and which amount to reduce. For example, someone will reduce the volume, while another will increase the consumption of vegetable oil. This classic recipe for captain's fish under the marinade can be interpreted as you wish. It is very comfortable. Each will have its own version of this delicious and nutritious dish.
Process description
The fish should be washed well, cleaned, get rid of the insides, tail and head, scales. Rinse the fish again and cut into portions (can be cooked whole).
In a separate container, mix the fish slices with flour and various spices and herbs. Lightly fry the captain in vegetable oil so that a fragrant crisp appears. We shift the fish to a baking sheet or in a baking dish. To prepare faster, you can wrap in foil.
In the oil, where the captain’s fish was just fried, we pass the onions, tomatoes and carrots. We shift vegetables to fish. In a small container, mix tomato paste, granulated sugar, vinegar and spices. The resulting liquid is slightly warmed to dissolve the sugar. Why water fish and vegetables with this mixture. Shake the dishes lightly so that the fish pieces mix well with the marinade. We send the dish to the oven. The temperature is 180 degrees. The croaker is preparing for 15-20 minutes.
Goulash
This is a very easy to prepare, incredibly tasty and healthy dish. It can be called a real lifesaver for busy housewives.
To make a goulash from the captain's fish, you need the following set of ingredients:
- 1 kg of the main product;
- three onions;
- salt;
- two (tablespoon) spoons of sour cream;
- 80 ml of sunflower oil;
- Bay leaf;
- four tablespoons of tomato puree;
- ground black pepper.
How to cook
We clean the fish, cut into pieces and fry in oil. We clean the onions, cut in half rings, fry until rosy sides appear.
Take a small pot. We add fish and fried onions in it in layers. Pour goulash with a mixture of tomato paste and water with the addition of bay leaves, salt, spices and black pepper. Stew the dish in the oven for 25 minutes. A couple of minutes before cooked, add sour cream.
Garnish
Croaker fish is a versatile product that tastes good on its own. However, if the hostess wants to make dinner more satisfying, then you can always give a side dish to the fish. The captain goes well with mashed potatoes, boiled rice, buckwheat, and even spaghetti. In addition, stewed or fresh vegetables can be served as a side dish for fish.
Oven fish steaks
If you do not want to dilute the dish with additional ingredients, if you want to try the true taste of croaker, you can try the recipes in the oven. Captain fish is good in the form of steaks. From the ingredients, we recommend taking:
- 700 g of fish;
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice;
- some salt;
- Red pepper;
- 150 ml of cream.
Cut the croaker into large pieces, making a classic fish steak. Pour lemon juice and leave for 20 minutes.
Grease a baking sheet or baking dish with vegetable or butter (can be covered with baking paper and foil). Any option is good, the main thing is that the fish does not stick. Flavor a fish piece with red ground pepper and salt. Add cream. Cover the baking sheet with foil. We send the dish to the oven, which has already been heated to 190 degrees. The cooking time for the captain’s fish steak is seven minutes.