Lesson 3 : SEAFOOD HANDLING & FABRICATION | Judy Ann's Kitchen

Summary

This presentation provides essential guidance on seafood handling and freshness checks. It emphasizes the importance of hygiene, including washing hands and equipment to prevent cross-contamination. The speaker outlines how to assess seafood freshness using sight, smell, and touch, detailing specific signs for fish, squid, shrimp, and mussels. Proper storage techniques and preparation methods, including filleting fish and preparing shrimp, are highlighted to ensure safety and quality. The session concludes with a reminder of the importance of positive attitudes in cooking and sharing culinary passion.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always wash your hands and kitchen surfaces with warm, soapy water before and after handling seafood to prevent cross-contamination.
• 😀 Keep raw and cooked seafood separate by using different containers to avoid contamination.
• 😀 Check the freshness of fish by looking for bright, clear eyes, shiny scales, and a fresh ocean smell.
• 😀 Fresh squid should have a white appearance, clear eyes, and firm, plump flesh.
• 😀 For shrimp, ensure the shells are glossy and firm, and avoid those with an off smell or dry, tough texture.
• 😀 Mussels and clams should be tightly closed and have a fresh ocean smell; discard any that remain closed after cooking.
• 😀 Store crabs in a dry area with proper ventilation, and choose active, aggressive ones for cooking.
• 😀 Use a fillet knife for fish fabrication, making long, even slices to create fillets while removing bones carefully.
• 😀 When preparing squid, remove the head and spine, and slice for tenderness before cooking.
• 😀 Store seafood in reusable bags, removing excess air to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.

Q & A

Why is it important to wash hands before and after handling seafood?

Washing hands helps prevent cross-contamination and the spread of germs and bacteria from surfaces to seafood and vice versa.

What are the three senses used to check the freshness of seafood?

The three senses are sight, smell, and touch. This involves looking for bright, clear eyes, a fresh smell, and firm flesh.

What should the smell of fresh seafood resemble?

Fresh seafood should smell like the ocean or have a slight cucumber scent, indicating its freshness.

How can you identify fresh shrimp when shopping?

Fresh shrimp should have a firm and glossy shell, and you should avoid shrimp with pink spots or that feel dry and tough.

What is a key characteristic of mussels when purchasing?

Mussels should have tightly closed shells and smell like the ocean. Open mussels that do not close when tapped should be discarded.

What should be done with crabs before cooking them?

Crabs should be killed quickly to keep their meat tender and juicy. An aggressive crab is a sign of freshness.

What precautions should be taken when storing seafood?

Seafood should be stored properly in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days to maintain its freshness.

Why should you avoid purchasing frozen seafood with icicles on the packaging?

Icicles indicate that the seafood has been refrozen, which can deteriorate its freshness and quality.

What is a proper method for handling squid before cooking?

When handling squid, gently remove the head and spine, and ensure that the flesh is tenderized by slicing it appropriately.

How should mussels be stored if not cooked immediately?

If not cooked right away, mussels can be stored in the refrigerator in a colander with a damp paper towel on top for up to two days.