Salmon is a kind of fish belongs to the family of Salmonide. Salmon is a migrating fish and found at the coasts of North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Salmon is also a common name for the fishes belong to salmonide family. Trout is also a member of this family. A readily available fish, salmon is the most popular fish across the world.
History of Salmon
According to the Native Americans, the fishing of Salmon started thousands of years back. At that time, each part of Salmon was being used by the natives. Bones were used as tools and flesh as food. The first canning of salmon had begun in 1840 in New England. The canned salmon used to be shipped all the way to California, but in 1864 California itself started canning and supplying Salmon to the East.
Culinary Use of Salmon
Salmon is a very popular fish and considered an ‘oily fish’. The color of salmon varies from orange to red, though some white-fleshed fishes are also available. Canned salmon and smoked salmon are the most popular salmon recipes. Salmon is cured in brine solution and canned. Salmon recipes are prepared with boneless salmon as well as with salmon with bones and skin. Salmon dishes include snacks, salads, soups and main dishes. Salmon is also used to make many traditional and special dishes. Jewish smoked salmon is known as Lox and it is one of the most popular seafoods in Jewish cuisine.
Cuisines Commonly Cooking Salmon Dishes
Native American cuisine or Southeastern American cuisine is famous for fish dishes especially Salmon dishes. Southern salmon cake and salmon croquettes are the exotic Southeastern American salmon dishes. Salmon recipes are also well-liked in cuisine of Norway. European and Japanese salmon dishes are world famous and consumed as snacks as well as main dishes.
Preferable Methods of Cooking Salmon
Salmon is a versatile fish that can be cooked in numerous ways. Fresh salmon is always better than frozen salmon for cooking. Here is the list of some preferable methods of cooking salmon dishes:
• Baking – Baking brings the best out of salmon. It allows the salmon to cook with dry heat.
• Grilling – Salmon is marinated before grilling. Marinade infuses the flavors into the salmon and makes it delectable.
• Poaching – It is one of the most popular methods of cooking salmon. In this method, salmon is simmered in enough water just to cover it. Liquid is discarded after fish gets cooked. Poached salmon dishes are well-liked as main dish in international cuisine.
• Stir-fried – Salmon fillets are used to make stir-fry salmon dishes. Other ingredients like ginger, beans and broccoli are added to increase the flavor of the dish.
• Steaming – Steamed salmon is the most famous salmon recipe in global cuisine.
Nutritive Value of Salmon
Salmon is considered a very healthy fish due to its high vitamin, protein and omega-3 fatty acid contents. Fish is also low in calories and saturated fats. Salmon provides many health benefits also such as it is helpful in the increasing the metabolism rate of body.
Consumption of Salmon Dishes
Consumption of salmon in abundance helps in muscle and tissue development. Omega-3 fatty acids produced from salmon are responsible for alleviating colon cancer and prostate cancer. Eye care, brain and nerves development and cardio-vascular health are some of the other health benefits provided by eating salmon. Buying and Storing of Salmon Salmon is seafood and it should be purchased and stored with extra care. Seafood becomes unappetizing and stale very quickly if not treated and stored well. Here are some tips to buy salmon:
• Before buying salmon or any other fish just smell it. If fishy smell is coming then it’s a sign of stale fish.
• Scales and skin of the salmon should look shiny. The flesh of the fish should bounce back if pressed hard. If any indentation is left then look for some other fish.
• Salmon eyes are the best way to check its freshness. If the eyes are sunk or cloudy then salmon is not worth-buying.
• Gills of the salmon should be clean and have bright pink to deep red in color. Storing of salmon is also a daunting task and it should be done properly.
Here are a few tips to provide information about storing uncooked salmon as well as leftover salmon dishes:
• Store salmon in the coldest part of refrigerator.
• As soon as fish is bought home, unwrap it, wash it and rewrap it in clean plastic sheet. • Fish should not be kept unfrozen for more than 1-2 days.
• Leftover salmon dishes should be kept in refrigerator for only 2-3 days not more than that.
Types of Salmon
Salmon is classified into 2 varieties: Farm-raised and wild salmon. The salmon available with fishmongers is usually farm-raised and here are the types of farm-raised Atlantic salmon:
• Pink salmon – This type of salmon has a very delicate and light pink flesh. It is usually used to make canned salmon.
• King salmon – This salmon has firm meat and flesh vary from off-white color to deep red. Salmon dishes made with king salmon are having a satisfying and subtle flavor.
• Chum salmon – A mild and palevariety of salmon. Chum salmon is used to make low-calorie salmon dishes due to its low-fat contents.
• Sockeye salmon – Sockeye is high in fats as compared to other varieties. It has deep red flesh and use to make rich salmon dishes.
• Silver salmon – It has relatively low-fat content as compared to sockeye and king salmon but flesh is deep-red in color.
• The figures in 1990 show that America is the largest salmon-fishing country and Japan comes second.
• A salmon has 2500-7000 eggs depending upon the species.