What is a cobia fish? How much? Prepare properly and cook something delicious

I/ What is Barramundi Fish?

1. Identification of Barramundi Fish

Barramundi, a fish that can weigh up to 4-6kg or even larger, is known for its unique appearance. It has a dark gray color with a long, round body, making it a distinctive sight in the tropical ocean.

Barramundi has a distinctive shape with a relatively large head and wide mouth, equipped with sharp teeth. Its body is robust, characterized by thick and sturdy skin, along with a substantial amount of fat in the belly.

2. Nutritional Value of Barramundi Fish

Barramundi is not only delicious but also has significant nutritional value, benefiting health and well-being. In traditional Chinese medicine, Barramundi is considered neutral and suitable for individuals with weak constitution, digestive disorders, and malnutrition. Additionally, it has properties for nourishing the kidneys, strengthening virility, and relieving joint and bone pain.

Barramundi provides essential nutrients like DHA nucleic acid, crucial for brain and nervous system development, especially in growing children and pregnant women. Omega-3 in Barramundi improves mineral and vitamin absorption, aiding in fetal brain development and preventing anemia. Nutrients like iodine, vitamin D, calcium, and DHA are essential for bone and brain development.

For individuals with high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues, the Omega-3 in Barramundi helps regulate heart rhythms, reducing the risk of stroke and blood clots. Vitamins like B2, B6, and minerals like selenium boost the immune system, reduce stress, and protect the heart.

Barramundi provides iron for those with anemia, along with vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium for bone health. Cartilage in Barramundi helps maintain muscle and joint health. Overall, incorporating Barramundi into your diet can have numerous health benefits.

II/ How Much Does Barramundi Fish Cost per Kilogram?

The price of Barramundi fish can vary. Here are some price ranges you can consider:
– Whole Barramundi: $8-$10 per kilogram, depending on size.
– Barramundi Fillets: $15-$20 per kilogram.
– Barramundi Head and Tail: $7-$8 per kilogram.

III/ Proper Barramundi Fish Preparation

Step 1: Clean the Barramundi fish, remove the guts, and scale it. Use a knife to scale the fish and remove the gut. Then, rinse it thoroughly under clean water to remove any impurities.

Step 2: Remove the membrane on the fish’s skin, especially in areas with a membrane. You can use salt to rub on the fish’s skin, which helps remove any membrane, fishy odor, or stickiness. Rinse the fish with cold water to remove any remaining impurities.

Step 3: Cut the Barramundi into appropriately sized pieces for your dish. You can marinate the fish with ingredients like chili, ginger, and garlic, depending on your recipe. This marinating step helps eliminate any fishy odor and enhances the flavor of the fish in your dishes.

IV/ Delicious Barramundi Fish Recipes

1. Spicy and Sour Barramundi Hotpot

Ingredients:

– 1 kg Barramundi fish, cut into chunks
– 1 kg rice vermicelli
– 100g straw mushrooms
– 2 pieces of okra
– 1 tomato
– 1 lemongrass stalk
– 1 lime
– Various herbs and spices: coriander, basil, mint, water spinach, morning glory, sliced banana flower (according to your preference)
– Seasonings: Rock sugar, chili paste, fish sauce, salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

– Finely chop shallots, garlic, and lemongrass. Also, mince the white part of the lemongrass and cut the rest into small sections. Cut the tomato into wedges.

Step 2: Cooking the hotpot

– Heat a pan and sauté the mixture of shallots, garlic, minced lemongrass, and lemongrass sections. Then add the straw mushrooms and stir-fry. Next, add the okra and tomato and continue to stir for about 2 – 3 minutes.
– While cooking, boil about 1.5 liters of water in a separate pot. Then, add the sautéed mixture to the boiling water and cook.
– Season with ingredients like rock sugar, fish sauce, salt, chili paste, and half a lime. Simmer for about 5 minutes and then add the tomato.
– Finally, add the Barramundi fish and cook for about 15 minutes until the fish is cooked.

2. Crispy Barramundi with Lime Mayo Sauce

Ingredients:

– 300g Barramundi fillet
– 50g American lettuce
– 1 cucumber
– 1 tomato
– 1 yellow lime
– Some mint leaves
– Fish sauce, cooking oil, pepper
– Lime Mayo Sauce
– Crispy coating flour

Instructions:

Prepare the ingredients:

– Cucumber: Cut the cucumber into 3cm chunks and then split them into 8 pieces.
– Tomato: Cut the tomato in half, remove the seeds, and cut it into thin slices.
– Lettuce: Wash the lettuce, cut it into bite-sized pieces.
– Yellow lime: Grate the peel of 1 lime, then squeeze the juice.

Barramundi: Cut it into slices about 1cm thick, marinate with 1 tablespoon of lime juice and a pinch of ground pepper.

Execution:

1. Prepare Lime Mayo Sauce: Dissolve 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of lime juice, and 50ml of water. Then, add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of lime zest, mix well to make the sauce.

2. Prepare the crispy coating: Mix 2 tablespoons of Crispy Coating flour with 50ml of water until you have a slightly sticky mixture. Reserve some coating flour for later use.

3. Heat cooking oil and deep-fry the Barramundi until golden brown. Then, remove the fish to drain excess oil.

4. Serve the fried Barramundi on a plate. On the side, arrange the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and mint leaves. Drizzle some mayonnaise sauce. When eating, you can dip the fish into the mayonnaise sauce for added flavor.

V/ How to Store Barramundi Fish for a Longer Time

To keep Barramundi fish fresh for an extended period, you can use various methods:

Freezing:

1. Prepare clean Barramundi fish and place them in a ziplock bag, removing excess air before sealing it.
2. Wrap the Barramundi fish with aluminum foil, and use freezer-safe wrapping paper for an additional layer. Place it in the freezer.

You can also use a vacuum sealer to remove air from the bag before storing it in the freezer.

Preserving with Lime or Vinegar:

1. Clean the Barramundi fish thoroughly.
2. Rub a small amount of vinegar or lime juice over the fish’s skin. This helps preserve the freshness of the fish and eliminates fishy odors.

Preserving with Salt:
There are two ways to preserve Barramundi fish with salt:

Wet Brining:

Dissolve salt in water (1 liter of water equals 55g of salt) and soak the Barramundi fish in the saltwater solution. The fish-to-saltwater ratio can be 1:1 or 1:1.5. Soak for about 6 hours, then flip the fish to ensure even soaking. Continue soaking for another 12 hours, then transfer to a container and seal it for storage.

Dry Salting:

Use coarse salt to evenly rub the entire Barramundi fish, both inside and out. Then, let it sit for a few hours and place it in a container in the freezer.

Preserving with White Wine:
1. Clean the Barramundi fish thoroughly.
2. Pour a small amount of white wine into the fish’s mouth. This method helps keep the fish fresh for 1 to 3 days.

In Conclusion:

Barramundi fish is truly a wonderful gift from the ocean, offering delicious, fatty, and nutritious meat. With the information provided, you now have a better understanding of the basic characteristics of this fish, how to prepare it, store it, and even its price. Barramundi is an excellent choice for creating impressive and delicious meals.