In order to constantly be in shape and have a slim figure, you must first eat properly. One of the most useful foods, which should be quite common in the human diet, is fish. Indeed, in terms of its qualities, it is in no way inferior to meat, moreover, it is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Another positive feature of the fish, which will certainly please housewives, is ease and variety in cooking, as well as a delicate and pleasant taste. In our article, we will take a detailed look at how to properly prepare fish balls, as well as some secrets that will help make this dish very tasty and healthy.
What kind of fish to choose for cutlets
For the preparation of fish meatballs, both river fish and sea fish are suitable. It can be pink salmon, halibut, cod, pollock, pike, pelengas, it does not matter, the main thing is that the main product is not too dry, but not too fat.
Fish chops, the recipe of which is quite simple, it is more expedient to cook it from large varieties so that it is easier to remove all the bones from it. It is better to cut such fish into small pieces than to grind or twist in a meat grinder, so it will be more juicy and tasty.
If a small fish is "lying around" in the refrigerator, it does not matter, twist the meat in a meat grinder several times, then the bones in the dish after cooking will not be felt. And in order to make the minced meat homogeneous, rinse the meat grinder knives under cold water.
How to fish properly
If the fish is frozen, place it in a deep bowl with room temperature water until completely submerged. You can also quickly defrost fish in the microwave.
Rinse the product ready for cutting under running water and dry it slightly, then you can proceed to its direct cutting. With a sharp knife, first cut the fins on the belly. After that, clean the fish from scales, if any. Next, begin to clean all the insides. To do this, make an incision along the line of gills and spread the belly, remove all the insides and the black film.
After that, wash the fish several times under running water.
How to cut fish on filet
It is better to cook fish balls from fillet, especially if small gourmets run in your house. To do this, after gutting, position the fish so that the tail looks directly at you. With the tip of a knife, carefully make an incision along the ridge in the center of the back, from head to tail. Next, stick the knife between the ribs and fillet, placing it under a slight slope. Hand hold the fish and make cuts, carefully separating the fillet from the ribs. After that, carefully lift the separated part and continue to move towards the tail. You should get one loin. Next, proceed to separate the second fillet, doing the same steps.
What can be added to minced meat
Minced meat cakes made from low-fat varieties will be more juicy if you add a little margarine or butter to the minced meat. Some housewives in this case use pork fat, saying that from this cutlets become fragrant and juicy. It is possible to add oil when forming the meatballs, putting a small piece in the middle. If these products are not at hand, you can use ordinary vegetable oil.
Bread is added to the dish to make it sticky, although some chefs say that eggs are also suitable for this purpose. In order for the meatballs to be whole, you need to take yesterday or stale bread. Serving should be one third of minced fish. The opinion that bread should be soaked in milk is considered erroneous, it is more advisable to do this in water.
Onions are used as a marinade, so they should be chopped as finely as possible.
Semolina is used if there is no bread. One tablespoon is needed per kilogram of minced fish. After this, let the patties stand for several hours so that the croup swells.
Fish cakes, a recipe with a photo of which will help in cooking, will be very tender and tasty if you add vegetables - carrots, potatoes, cabbage to the minced meat.
Seasonings will also add unusual taste and aroma to the meatballs, the main thing is not to overdo it in this case, so as not to tarnish the taste of the main product.
It is better to brew fish cod in breadcrumbs and bran, adding various aromatic herbs to them, thanks to this the cutlets will be covered with a delicious crust and will acquire an unusual taste. If such products are not available, you can bread in plain wheat or rice flour.
Chill
Chefs and experienced housewives recommend chilling the minced meat and all items used - a knife, a bowl, a spoon, etc., before preparing the meatballs. This will give your cutlets tenderness and uniformity.
Before forming fish balls, moisten your hands in water so that they do not stick to your palms.
The secrets of kneading minced fish
Oddly enough, many housewives, despite the presence in our market of various convenient devices, are advised to use their hands. Yes, yes, only with their help the stuffing will gain the necessary elasticity and suppleness.
So, we have already examined all the secrets and methods of cooking fish cakes, now you can go directly to the recipes for delicious and fragrant cutlets.
Fish chops in the oven with sauce
We will need: 1 kg of minced fish, 1 chicken egg, 2 onions, 2 slices of yesterday or stale bread, 1.5 cups of tomato sauce or juice, 1 red bell pepper, butter, salt, pepper.
Cooking process: put bread in water and soak it well, fish or fillet together with one onion, pass through a meat grinder or chop in a blender. Add the egg to the minced meat, soaked bread, salt, pepper and with wet hands form flat balls, in the middle of which place a piece of butter.
Preheat the oven and place the pan with the meatballs in it. Bake 10-15 minutes until a beautiful crust forms. And while the meatballs are baked, prepare the sauce. To do this, chop the second onion in a blender, add peeled peppers and tomato paste to it. Pour the patties into the sauce and place them in the oven for a few more minutes.
Oven fish cakes with rice
We will need: 1 kg of any fish fillet, 1 glass of ordinary rice, 1 glass of cream, 2 large onions, 4 tablespoons of butter, 7 tbsp. flour, salt, pepper.
Cooking process: boil the rice so that it becomes viscous, grind the fillets and onions in a blender or scroll through a meat grinder. To the minced meat, add rice, butter, which must first be melted, pepper and salt, form small meatballs and place them on a baking sheet, pre-lubricating it with vegetable oil. Place the patties in a preheated oven for 10 minutes until fat is formed. After this, drain the fat, cool it and add the cream there. Stir and pour the meatballs with the resulting sauce. Stew for another 5-10 minutes.
How to cook fish balls with vegetables
We will need: 1 kg of fish fillet, 2 onions, 2 small potatoes, 1-2 medium carrots, 100 gr. cabbage, 1 egg, butter, vegetable oil, breadcrumbs or bran, herbs, salt, pepper.
Preparation: filet and onions through a meat grinder or chop in a blender, add an egg. Boil potatoes and carrots and grate on a fine grater, place a small portion of cabbage in boiling water for several minutes, then chop or chop it in a blender. Add all the vegetables to the minced meat. Salt, pepper, sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs. Stir by hand and form small cutlets, in the middle of which place a piece of butter. After that, heat the pan and fry the meatballs on both sides well. If you wish, you can sprinkle finely grated cheese on top.
Steamed croissants with beans, mushrooms and sauce in a slow cooker
Fish cakes, the recipe of which is quite simple, can be prepared with beans. This dish will certainly appeal to lovers of truly exquisite and healthy dishes.
We will need: 1 kg of fish fillet, green beans 600 gr., Mushrooms (champignons) 600 gr., Yesterday’s white bread, a glass of milk, an egg, 350 ml of dry white wine, 2 large onions, salt, pepper.
For the sauce: 2 tbsp. flour, 2 medium carrots, 2 small onions, fish stock.
Cooking process: roll the fillet with onions through a meat grinder, add the bread, egg, pepper, salt, limp in the water. Mix well and form the meatballs. Put them on the bottom of the crock-pot, having previously greased it with vegetable oil. Between them, place the chopped mushrooms and green beans. Pour wine and water into the multicooker, they should cover the meatballs for three quarters. Close the lid and set Steaming for 5 minutes. After this, drain the broth and prepare the sauce. To do this, mix the flour, broth, chopped onion and carrots. Pour the meatballs and steam for a few more minutes.
Surely many people love meatballs, fish balls, because they are not only tasty and healthy, but also contain a minimum of calories. Moreover, fish dishes are well digested, unlike pork and other types of meat, so they are good to cook for children.