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- ** 22 TAI (SEA BREAM) ?? ? ? **
-
- Information:
- The sea bream is a flat oval shaped white-fleshed fish with large
- fins and a forked tail. It can reach a length of up to three or more feet.
- They generally weigh about 2 lbs. They live in warm or tropical
- waters and are found all over the world. There are more than 30
- varieties of sea bream and are characterized by the number of bones in
- their dorsal fins and by there well developed molar teeth. Their outer
- color varies from deep red to yellowish red to pink.
-
- Topping:
-
- DEMO VERSION ONLY - THIS IS THE ONLY RECIPE AVAILABLE
-
- Sea bream, or 'tai' in Japanese, makes an elegant topping for nigiri
- sushi. The meat is firm and has a light fragrance. Its delicate taste and
- pearly white color make it quite appropriate for gourmet occasions.
- Sea bream which are larger than a foot in length are the most tasty.
- Sea bream, aside from nigiri sushi, can also be prepared by cleaning
- and deboning the smaller ones and then filling the body cavity with
- sushi rice. Sea bream sold in the United States are sometimes called
- 'scup', 'red porgy', or 'sheepshead'.
- Ideally, fish for sushi and sashimi should be very fresh, no more than
- 24 hours out of the water. Generally, frozen fish is not recommended
- as the flesh tends to soften and they lose their natural juices while
- thawing. Whole fresh sea bream can be stored in the refrigerator for 2
- days, while fillets may be kept refrigerated for 1 day.
- Ingredients:_
- Makes 12 pieces
- Whole or Filleted Sea Bream (Tai) 2 1/2 oz./75 g.
- Sushi Rice 2 cups/450 g.
- Wasabi Paste as desired
- Salt
- Tezu
-
- Condiments:
- Soy Sauce
- Ginger Shavings
- Wasabi Paste (optional)
-
- Tools:_
- Fish Scaler
- Fillet Knife
- Cutting Board
- 2 Kitchen Cloths (if leaving skin on)
- Large Bowl (if leaving skin on)
- Damp Kitchen Cloth
-
- Preparation:_
- For filleted fish -
- Begin with instructions on slicing.
- For whole fish -
- Check the fish for FRESHNESS.
- Keep a damp cloth at hand for cleaning the knife blade as needed.
- Clean the fish under lukewarm water and then pat dry.
- SCALE the fish on both sides from tip to head with a fish scaler.
- Make a v-shaped cut under the fin to remove the HEAD.
- REMOVE the entrails and clean the body cavity.
- FILLET the fish into four pieces.
-
- For sea bream over 4 pounds -
- carefully remove the skin and the white stringy part of each fillet.
- For sea bream under 4 pounds -
- Leave the skin on, it is quite delicious at this size.
- Remove any stringy parts of the fish.
- Rub the fish with a little salt and wrap in a clean cloth.
- Pour hot water over the entire fish.
- Immerse in cold water and then remove immediately.
- Wipe away any excess water.
- Wrap in a damp cloth and refrigerate until use.
-
- Slicing:_
- Do not use a serrated knife, it will tear the flesh.
- CUT diagonally into 8 mm. slices by bringing the knife straight
- down and drawing the blade back toward you - do not saw the fish
- The corner pieces can be cut by laying them bottom side down, slicing
- in the middle but not going through and then turning them upside-
- down and flattening.
- Slice each piece of fish as you make each piece of nigiri sushi.
-
- Technique:_
- FORMING sushi:
- Keep the sushi rice in a container covered with a damp cloth until
- ready to use.
- Place tezu in a small bowl close at hand.
- Moisten hands with tezu as often as needed to keep your fingers from
- getting sticky from the rice.
- Take a slice of fish with one hand and with the other, pick up
- about 1 1/2 Tbs. of rice and shape it with your fingers into an oval.
- Keeping the rice in your palm, dab some wasabi paste onto your
- index finger and smear it on the center of the fish.
- Press the rice onto the fish (wasabi side) and shape until there is a
- firm bond between the rice and the fish.
- Place the piece rice side down in pairs on a serving board.
- Serve with soy sauce, wasabi paste (optional) and ginger shavings on the side.
-
- Nutrition:_
- Sea bream is high in protein and low in fat which makes it a healthier
- choice than other fatty sushi-dane. It also holds its taste and can be
- kept refrigerated for long periods of time as it contains few of the
- enzymes that cause fish to deteriorate.
- Sea bream contains (per 100 g.):
- 19 g. Protein
- 3 g. Fat
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 48.3 mg. Cholesterol
- 192.9 mg. Taurine
- 105 Calories
-
- Tips:_
- *Substitutes for tai are often used when, because of their spawning
- seasons, sea bream are not at their best flavor. If possible, request
- 'madai' (a variety of sea bream) as it is considered the best tasting.
- Following madai in popularity are 'chidai', 'kidai', and 'hiredkodai'.
-
- *Red snapper may be substituted for sea bream.
-
- *Any fish monger can fillet your fish for you.
- @@