Seafood Tips to Remember When Eating

Bellyfish: Don't scrape off the silver scales

The silvery substance on the surface of the bellyfish is often mistaken for its scales and is thought to be something with a very strong fishy smell, so people always try their best to wash it off before cooking.

Chen Peiyi, a director of the Capital Nutrition, Health and Gourmet Society, explains that the silvery substance is not actually scales, but a fat that is odorless and has certain nutritional value. It contains unsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, and 6-thioguanine. The silver scales of the bellyfish also prevent it from breaking easily during cooking.

Chopped Chili Bellyfish

Therefore, you should not wash off the "scales" when cleaning bellyfish. The silver scales are heat-sensitive and will melt in water at 75°C, so the water temperature should not be too high when cleaning, and avoid excessive scrubbing of the fish's surface to prevent the loss of this silver fat.

However, this silvery fat can easily oxidize and turn yellow with a certain "rancid" smell after prolonged exposure to air. When this happens, you should wash off the "scales."

Shellfish: Eat them fresh, but don't eat them raw

When eating seafood, it must be cooked thoroughly. Never eat raw seafood just because you crave freshness. Shellfish are easily infected with norovirus and Vibrio cholerae. Therefore, when eating scallops, you should try to avoid undercooking them to prevent the harmful bacteria in the raw meat from endangering your health.

However, although they must be cooked, you should still choose fresh ones when buying. Fresh shells and scallop meat are bright and shiny. Another way is to gently tap the shell; live ones will close their shells naturally, while dead ones will have no reaction.

Stir-fried Scallop

Sea Cucumber: Soaking and washing are essential

Many people don't know how to rehydrate sea cucumbers at home, but it's actually not difficult. First, soak them in cold water for 6 hours. Once softened, clean out the internal organs by cutting the sea cucumber open lengthwise and removing the impurities inside. Then, rinse in cold water for another 2 hours. Next, add edible alkali to boiling water, turn off the heat, and soak the sea cucumbers for 2 hours. Repeat this process twice. Afterward, rinse off the alkali taste with clean water and then place them in ice water, which will make the sea cucumber meat more elastic. Do not use salt to scrub the sea cucumber, as this will prevent it from rehydrating properly.

Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions has always been a staple dish in my family's recipe. It feels a bit special when served on the table. The sea cucumber is fresh, soft, and smooth, with a rich aroma from the scallions. It leaves no residual sauce after eating and is nourishing for the lungs and kidneys.

Braised Sea Cucumber in Abalone Sauce

Scallop: Fresh scallop shells are springy

Scallops are very delicious and nutritious, one of the three great treasures of the sea. Drying the white adductor muscle of the scallop to make dried scallops (conpoy) is also a great idea.

So how do you choose good scallops? Wang Leijun, a national first-class nutritionist, explains that when buying fresh scallops, you must smell them. If they have a bad, fishy smell, they are not fresh. If they smell like gasoline or kerosene, be careful, as they might be contaminated with methylmercury. You should also look at them; fresh scallop shells should be shiny and springy.

Scallops Baked in Butter

Shrimp: Don't eat the shrimp head

Shrimp are delicious and enjoyed by all ages. Live shrimp, after cooking, have a sweet and fresh taste with a crisp and tender texture.

Zhang Ye, former director of the Nutrition Department of the 309th Hospital of the PLA, points out that although shrimp are delicious, one should be mindful. The head of a shrimp has a high cholesterol content and can easily accumulate heavy metals. During the peak breeding season, shrimp roe also contains some cholesterol. People with high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and diabetes should pay attention and try to eat the heads and roe in moderation.

Crispy and Spicy Red Curry Shrimp

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