Also, please see our edibility chart to determine the taste and style of different fish, seafood storage for hints on keeping your seafood fresh, our seafood nutrition chart for health information, and to determine how much you'll need, see how much to buy?

                                    Seafood Storage                                    

• Store fresh seafood in the coldest part of your refrigerator (usually the lowest shelf at the back or in the meat keeper).
• Don't suffocate live lobsters, oysters, clams or mussels by sealing them in a plastic bag. They need to breathe, so store them covered with a clean damp cloth. Before cooking, check that lobsters are still moving. Make sure clams and mussels are still alive by tapping open shells. Discard any that do not close.
• Marinades or rubs add great flavor. Marinate seafood under refrigeration. Discard used marinade since it contains raw fish juices. Serve cooked seafood on a clean platter.
• Keep raw and cooked seafood separate to prevent bacterial cross-contamination. After handling raw seafood, thoroughly wash knives, cutting surfaces, sponges and your hands with hot soapy water.  See also Seafood Storage Guide, and Storing Lobsters.

                             Seafood Handling Tips                              

• Thaw frozen seafood in the refrigerator, under cold running water or in the microwave oven following the manufacturer's guidelines. Never thaw seafood on the counter at room temperature.
• Allow one day to defrost frozen seafood in the refrigerator. If pressed for time, place the seafood in a re-sealable --plastic storage bag and immerse it in a pan of cold water in the refrigerator for one to two hours per pound of seafood.  A similar technique is to put the original pack age in a plastic bag, place it in a pan and run cold water on it in the sink until thawed. If defrosting in the microwave follow manufacturer's directions and use immediately.
• Always wash hands thoroughly with hot soapy water before and after handling raw seafood or other raw protein foods.
• Unless thoroughly iced, don't leave seafood, raw or cooked, out of the refrigerator.
• Before cooking, rinse seafood under cold water to remove surface bacteria.
• Always marinate fish and shellfish in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. Discard the marinade after use.
• Make sure that juices from raw seafood don't drip onto cooked foods; this leads to cross-contamination.

                                        Cooking Fin Fish                                     

• Measure the seafood product at its thickest point. If the fish is stuffed or rolled, measure it after stuffing or rolling.
• At 450 degrees F, cook it 10 minutes per inch thickness of the fish, turning the fish halfway through the cooking time. For example, a 1-inch fish steak should be cooked 5 minutes on each side for a total of 10 minutes. Pieces of fish less than 1/2-inch thick do not have to be turned over.
• Add 5 minutes to the total cooking time if you are cooking the fish in foil or if the fish is cooked in a sauce.
• Double the cooking time (20 minutes per inch) for frozen fish that has not been defrosted.

Baking

Whole fish, whole stuffed fish, fillets, stuffed fillets, steaks and chunks of fish may be baked. Use pieces of similar size for even cooking. It's best to bake fish in a preheated, 450 degrees F oven following the 10-minute rule; bake uncovered, basting if desired.

TIP: For a quick and delicious dinner, bake fish on a bed of chopped vegetables. Try a mixture of onions, celery and carrots or a combination of mushrooms, onions and peppers.

Broiling

Steaks, whole fish, split whole fish and fillets lend themselves well to broiling. Place fish, one-inch thick or less, two to four inches from the heat source. Place thicker pieces five to six inches away. Baste frequently with an oil-based marinade. Using the 10-minute rule, cook on one side for half the total cooking time, basting once or twice, then turn the fish over to continue broiling and basting.

Grilling

This technique lends itself well to meatier or steak fish such as salmon, halibut, swordfish, tuna and whole fish. Preheat an outdoor gas or electric grill. If using a barbecue grill, start the fire about 30 minutes before cooking. Let it burn until white hot then spread coals out in a single layer. Adjust the grill height to 4 to 6 inches above the heat.

To grill fish, a moderately hot fire is best for cooking seafood. Always start with a well oiled grid to prevent the delicate skin of the fish from sticking. Support more delicate pieces of fish in a hinged, fish-shaped wire basket for easier turning or handling.

Frequently baste steaks and fillets while grilling to prevent them from drying out. Marinating fish an hour before grilling also helps keep it moist. Apply the 10-minute rule for proper doneness.

Use indirect heat for whole fish by banking hot coals on either side of the barbecue or preheat gas or electric grill. Oil fish well and place in an oiled fish basket. Cook, covered, 10 to 12 minutes per inch of thickness, turning halfway through cooking time.

Microwaving

Use a shallow dish to allow maximum exposure to the microwaves. Arrange fillets with the thicker parts pointing outward and the thinner parts, separated by pieces of plastic wrap, overlapping in the center of the dish. Cover dish with plastic wrap and vent by turning back one corner. Allow 3 minutes per pound of boneless fish cooked on high as a guide. Rotate the dish halfway through the cooking time. Rolled fillets microwave more evenly and are less likely to over-cook than flat fillets, which may have thin edges.

Poaching

Poach fish in simmering liquid such as fish stock, water with aromatic herbs/vegetables, or a mixture of wine and water. In a large skillet, saute pan or fish poacher, ring the liquid to a boil. Add the fish and return to boiling. Quickly reduce to a simmer-the liquid should barely bubble. Cover and begin timing the fish according to the 10-minute rule. The remaining liquid can be used to make a sauce for fish if desired.

Sautéing or Pan-frying

An excellent method for fillets and pan-dressed fish like trout, tilapia and catfish.

TIP: Dip the fish into seasoned flour, cornmeal or bread crumbs just before sautéing. Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in a skillet large enough to hold the fish. When the pan is very hot, place the fish into the skillet. Saute for half the total time as determined by the 10-minute rule, turn over and complete cooking.

Steaming

Whole fish, chunks, steaks and stuffed fillets steam well. To steam finfish, fill a large sauce pan with one inch of water. Place the fish on a steamer rack and put the rack in the pan. The water should not exceed the height of the rack. Cover tightly and bring the water to a boil. Using the 10-minute rule, steam until thoroughly cooked.

Stir-Frying

This cooking method is a very fast technique, so it's important to have all ingredients in uniform size and ready for cooking.

Using a wok or large skillet, coat the bottom and sides with vegetable oil. Add the fish and stir-fry, tossing gently to coat on all sides, until about three quarters cooked, approximately two to four minutes. Remove to a warm platter.

Stir-fry a selection of sliced vegetables (i.e. carrots, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms) in addition to a light sauce if desired. Return the fish to the wok or skillet and cook one to two minutes more. Serve immediately.

                                                Shrimp                                              

Use enough water to cover, plus 1 tbs. of salt.  Boil medium size for 3-5 minutes or jumbo 8-10 minutes. Depending on the size, it takes from 3 to 5 minutes to boil or steam 1 pound of medium size shrimp in the shell.

                                                Lobster                                              

                                                Crab                                              

Use enough water to cover plus 1 tbs. of salt.  Boil 10-12 minutes, 15-18 minutes for Jumbo.

                                                Clams                                              

Place 1 cup of water plus 1 tbs. of salt in steamer.  Soft Shell clams take approximately 5-7 minutes or until open.

                                                Scallops                                              

                                         Shucked Shellfish                                  

                                     Shellfish (general)                          

Seafood Storage Guide    Seafood Nutrition    Fish recipes     Shrimp recipes    Shellfish recipes