Introduction: How to remove the fishy smell from food? What seasonings can be used for this purpose? Many ingredients are very nutritious, but their strong inherent fishy smell makes them unpalatable for some people, causing them to give up on these foods. In fact, many seasonings and ingredients in the kitchen are experts at removing fishy smells. You can cleverly use them, and after the smell is gone, you might find it's a great way to enjoy the food. Let me introduce you to six common types of seasonings to remove the fishy smell from food!
Six Common Seasonings to Remove Fishy Smell:
I. Lemon
We often see a small piece of lemon on a seafood platter in Western cuisine, and it is used specifically to remove the fishy smell. When steaming fish or cooking shrimp, you can borrow this Western method by squeezing some lemon juice on top; it can neutralize the fishy smell of seafood.
II. Cooking Wine
Alcohol has a unique ability to dissolve and volatile fishy compounds, making cooking wine an excellent seasoning for removing fishy smells and greasiness. It can be used with various ingredients, such as eggs, fish, and meat. When cooking, you can marinate meat with cooking wine beforehand, which not only removes the fishy smell but also makes the meat more tender and delicious.
III. Vinegar
The fishy compounds in meat are alkaline, and adding an appropriate amount of vinegar during cooking can neutralize this taste. However, because the sour taste of vinegar is quite sharp, you need to control the amount to avoid affecting the flavor of the dish. Black vinegar should not be boiled for long; add it just before the dish is done to prevent the aroma from dissipating. Boiling white vinegar for a while can make its sour taste milder.
IV. Ginger
Ginger is a "hot" food in traditional Chinese medicine that can not only neutralize the "cold" nature of ingredients but also remove their fishy smell. Ginger is simply a powerful tool for this purpose; whether you're stir-frying to release aroma or removing the fishy smell from fish and meat, ginger is the top choice.
V. Dry Flour
Using dry flour to remove the fishy smell is a trick many people may not have tried. You can use it to remove the fishy smell from fish. After scraping off the scales, rub the fish with dry flour for a moment, let it sit for a while, then rinse it clean. The fishy smell will be significantly reduced, and the flour won't impart any other taste to the fish, making it a great method.
VI. Spices
When making braised dishes, spices are indispensable seasonings. Spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and cumin not only have unique aromas but are also natural experts at removing fishy smells. However, it's not recommended to use too much, as it might overpower the natural flavor of the meat itself. These spices are generally used to remove the fishy smell from meats like pork and lamb.