How to properly cook frozen fish in a frying pan or in the oven: tips, step-by-step recipe. Do I need to defrost frozen fish before cooking?

You can see many varieties of fish on store shelves. Most often this product is sold frozen. Some types of fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are delivered from afar, and their “life” is extended by freezing. The taste and benefits of a fish dish will depend on the housewife’s ability to defrost the fish correctly. The best way is gradual defrosting, when the product is not exposed to sudden temperature changes. If time does not allow, you can use a microwave, double boiler or oven.

Under spinach and tomatoes

The best snack for those who want to lose weight is fish baked with vegetables. If you use fillets, the simple cooking process is not difficult.

• boneless haddock fillet – 600 g;
• fresh spinach – 100 g;
• tomatoes – 3 pcs.;
• garlic – 3 cloves;
• onion – 1 pc.;
• sunflower oil – 2 tbsp. l;
• greens – 120 g;
• spices as needed.

Step by step recipe:

1. The onion is peeled, cut as thin as possible and fried.
2. Add washed and chopped spinach and leave for another 1 minute.
3. The fillets are defrosted and cut into portions. Spinach and onions are placed in a greased container, and fish is placed on top of them.
4. Place chopped fresh herbs and tomato concasse (pieces without skin and seeds) on the fish. Sprinkle the dish with chopped garlic and place it in the oven at 180 degrees for half an hour.

Fish with spinach and tomatoes will appeal to adults and children

Cooking time – 50 min

Number of servings – 2

Frozen fish falls apart: reasons - what to do?

Many housewives complain that frozen fish falls into pieces during the cooking process.

Frozen fish falls apart, reasons:

• Incorrect freezing technology . The plant that did the freezing used fairly high freezing temperatures rather than the dry method. Thus, the water that was inside the fish turned into crystals, causing damage to the fibers. As a result, the fish falls apart. It is best to purchase fish from trusted retail outlets, where the fish arrives immediately after catching.
• Incorrect frying process, using too cold oil . Under no circumstances should you place fish in a cold frying pan or fry it over low heat. At the very beginning, it is necessary to achieve the formation of a golden brown crust for 3-4 minutes. A fairly strong fire is used for this. The rosy, crispy crust is a sealing layer that will prevent deformation and crumbling of the fish.
• Improper storage of fish . A product that has been frozen and defrosted several times also has a damaged fiber structure, so it will definitely fall apart during the cooking process.

Fillet
If you bought this kind of fish, you shouldn’t be upset. You can resort to some tricks.

Frozen fish falls apart, what to do:

• Take a liter of water, dissolve one tablespoon of salt, and place the product from the freezer for about two hours. Thanks to the salt solution, all the spaces inside will be saturated with liquid, the fish will become quite dense and will not fall apart during the cooking process.
• However, it may be watery. There are several other ways to prevent fish from deforming.
• Using batter. For these purposes, take two eggs, add 50 ml of milk and add about a tablespoon of flour. As a result, you will get a liquid dough. You need to dip pre-dried fish into it. Rinse the carcass, remove the ice crust, but do not completely defrost it. Season with salt and pepper, and be sure to wipe with a paper towel to ensure the surface is not wet. Only after this use the batter and fry over high heat until golden brown.

Fillet

How to cook frozen hake fish in tomato?

To cook hake, it must be defrosted first. It is best to do this on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg hake
• 50 g flour
• 150 g vegetable oil
• Salt
• Spices
• 30 g tomato paste
• 2 large onions
• 2 large carrots

How to cook frozen hake fish in tomato, recipe:

• Remove the fins, remove the scales, if any, and clean the belly of the dark film. After this, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next, dry with a towel so that the surface is not too wet. Coat in flour and fry over high heat until golden brown.
• Place the fish on a plate and reserve. Pour vegetable oil into another frying pan, add chopped carrots, onions and add tomato paste after the vegetables acquire a golden hue.
• Dip pieces of prepared fish into the boiling gravy, cover with a lid and simmer for another 5-10 minutes.

In tomato
You can read many useful articles about freezing food on our website:

• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Tomatoes

You should not use warm water for defrosting, as this will cause the juice to leak out, and the piece will lose its shape and all the fibers will be destroyed. You can also use a microwave, the only drawback is its small size. It is not suitable for defrosting large fish.

Slow way

Therefore, the slow method is considered the most correct. To do this, the carcasses of cold-blooded animals are placed in a container without a lid and simply placed at the bottom of the refrigerator, where, as a rule, the temperature is above zero. There the fish is defrosted slowly and gradually. On average, this process takes six hours (depending on the thickness and size of the carcass). So if you decide to cook something fishy, ​​but bought not a fresh, but a frozen product, then it would be best to let it defrost overnight, and by the morning it will definitely be ready for further use.

Can defrosted fish be frozen again?

It happens that after preparing dinner or lunch, there is a sufficient amount of product left that is a pity to throw away.

Can defrosted fish be frozen again?

• Experts believe that this should not be done, because after defrosting again, the fish will turn into jelly. After purchasing, it is necessary to cut the carcass and pack it in containers to use in portions.
• During thawing of the carcass, microorganisms that are on its surface multiply. If re-frozen, they lose their activity, but after thawing they begin to multiply again. This can lead to spoilage and increases the risk of poisoning.
• It is recommended to fry the entire portion, and place the excess pieces in the finished form in the freezer.

Marine life

Which spices to choose?

Each type of fish has its own cooking nuances. So, for example, most types of red fish should be cooked in cold water, and the cooking time should be counted from the moment of boiling. To add flavor when cooking pink salmon, add bay leaf, celery and onion to the broth. Thyme and rosemary are considered classic herbs that enhance the taste of fish, especially sea fish (dorado, sea bass). Lemon is an ideal fruit. To add a spicy taste, garlic, onion and paprika (sweet or hot) will do.

Why can't you defrost fish in hot water?

There are several methods that should never be used when defrosting fish, as you can ruin its consistency and density. As a result, you will end up with destroyed fish fibers that cannot be used for cooking dinner.

Why you can’t defrost fish in hot water:

• Do not use hot water for defrosting. Under no circumstances should you bend the fish or move it from side to side. So, you risk damaging the fibers, as well as the backbone of the fish.
• Fish has less dense fibers than meat; they are very easily deformed and destroyed. When hot water comes into contact with the ice-cold fish carcass, the fibers burst, turning into mush.
• Do not leave fish open without using a film or bag.

Please note that fish are best stored in containers with a closed lid. If you do not plan to cook the fish yet, you can cover it with a damp cloth.

Seafood Cocktail

How to cook frozen fish in the oven?

It's very easy to cook frozen fish in the oven. To do this, you do not need to defrost it first. However, it is necessary to clean the insides, remove the dark film, and also remove the fins and tails.

Ingredients:

• Juice of one lemon
• 1 kg fish
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parsley
• Foil
• Vegetable oil

How to cook frozen fish in the oven:

• Remove the fish from the freezer, rub with salt and pepper and fill the cavity where the entrails were with parsley, having first chopped it finely. Now take each carcass and wrap it in a foil bag.
• It is necessary to ensure that the juice does not flow out of this bag and remains inside. During the cooking process, the fish will boil in this juice. It is necessary to place the workpieces in the oven at a temperature of 220 degrees.
• Cooking time is 30 minutes. After baking, remove the foil and sprinkle generously with lemon juice. Thanks to this cooking method, the fish will not fall apart and there is no need to defrost it.

In foil

How to cook frozen fish fillets?

Fish fillets, compressed blocks consisting of small pieces of fish are available for sale. Preparing a pressed product is quite simple. It is necessary to follow the rules to prevent the bar from crumbling into small components. Unlike fish on the bone, fillets do not have a dense crust, so they most often fall apart if cooked incorrectly. We advise you not to defrost the fillet first, but to cook it immediately frozen. Take it out of the freezer and sprinkle it with salt to remove the glaze on top. After this, dry the surface with a towel.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg fish fillet bars
• 2 eggs
• 50 g flour
• 30 ml milk
• Salt
• Spices
• Vegetable oil

How to cook frozen fish fillet, recipe:

• Place flour in one bowl and eggs with a small amount of milk in another. Add salt and pepper to the flour.
• The briquettes prepared in the above manner must be breaded in flour, dipped in egg, and placed again on a plate with flour. Thus, you get a shell consisting of several layers. It is this that will prevent the product from deforming.
• Place the prepared foods in a very hot frying pan and fry on each side for 3 minutes. Under no circumstances should you cover it with a lid; this will cause the fillet to fall apart into fragments. Reduce heat and bring to readiness. Fillet in briquettes is thin, so it cooks quite quickly. Served with lemon juice and tomato.

red fish

Is it possible to bake frozen fish without defrosting?

There is another good method that is suitable for cooking fairly thick and large pieces of fish.

Is it possible to bake frozen fish without defrosting and how to do it:

• In this case, the dish is baked in the oven; there is no need to defrost the product. However, you should first remove the ice crust or glaze that is on the surface. To do this, sprinkle the piece generously with salt and wait a few minutes.
• Rinse with cold water; the ice will come away along with the saline solution. Be sure to dry using a paper towel. Now you can use the spices and marinade. To do this, sprinkle the fish with wine vinegar, add salt and spices. Place the product in a sleeve or foil, place chopped onions on top, as well as carrots cut into circles.
• It should look like a kind of pillow. Please note that the entire foil or sleeve structure should not leak, but be sealed. Place a mesh in the oven and place a baking sheet under it. It is best not to cook large pieces using a smooth, even surface, like a frying pan, as this will promote burning. If you cook on a grid, a grill effect is created, so the fish does not burn and is completely baked.
• On average, it takes 50-60 minutes to cook a fairly dense, thick piece of fish. Heating should be at 220 degrees. After cooking, remove the baking sleeve or foil and sprinkle with lemon juice. Vegetables will be an excellent addition to the dish, adding juiciness to it.

Fish

Is it possible to freeze cooked fish?

If you have cooked too much fried fish, do not throw it away.

Is it possible to freeze cooked fish:

• Since the product is perishable, the freezing process is quite acceptable. For these purposes, it is necessary to place the finished pieces in a bag and remove the air if there is a vacuum package. If you don’t have it, foil or a regular bag or freezer containers will do just fine.
• Frozen fish can be stored in the freezer for 3 to 6 months. It is recommended to defrost it by slowly thawing, or stew it in sauce. Fried fish can be supplemented with tomato sauce.
• To do this, place the fish in a frying pan, pour in a mixture of tomato paste, water and sugar, add chopped onions and carrots. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. You can add sugar and salt to taste.

Ready dish

How to quickly defrost frozen fish?

To properly defrost fish in the microwave, you must wash it thoroughly and completely wipe off the moisture. It needs to be completely dry. Use the lowest setting to avoid overcooked areas. In order for the product to thaw evenly, it is necessary to turn the carcass over from time to time. It is better to do this every 2 minutes.

How to quickly defrost frozen fish:

• A double boiler or slow cooker is often used for defrosting. What are considered gentle defrosting methods that help maintain the firmness of the fish. However, this method is only suitable if you are later going to make soup from the fish, or boil it.
• The method is not suitable if you plan to fry or cook the product in the oven, with the formation of a golden brown crust. In a multicooker, defrosting takes 20 minutes, in a mode with minimal heating of the bowl. Quite often, a trick is used for thawing that is not suitable for meat.
• It is necessary to sprinkle the fish generously with salt and wait until it thaws. The freezing point of saline solution is much lower than ordinary water. Therefore, salt breaks down ice. Only the top layer is defrosted, the insides remain frozen.

Freezing

In Greek

Another great recipe using white fish fillets.

You will need:

• main ingredient - two fillet halves;
• two medium tomatoes;
• two cloves of garlic;
• mayonnaise – 200 g;
• hard cheese – 100 g;
• salt;
• oil.

Pixabay.com
Calorie content per 100 grams of finished product:

• proteins – 13.3;
• fats – 7.8;
• carbohydrates – 1.7;
• kcal – 132.5.

Step-by-step instructions for preparation:

• first of all, you need to prepare the filling for the fish fillet;
• To do this, cut the tomato into cubes, grate the cheese, pass the garlic through a press;
• add mayonnaise to the resulting ingredients;
• divide the pulp into portions, sprinkle with salt and pepper;
• place on a baking sheet;
• pour mayonnaise mixture on top;
• cook for 20 minutes.

Properly cooked fish according to this recipe melts in your mouth.

Note. To this version of the recipe, you can add finely chopped potatoes to the ingredients, it turns out even tastier and more satisfying.

Total cooking time – 40 minutes. Servings – 2.

Fish charlotte

There are many variations of charlottes. A recipe using fish is suitable for those who love unusual and simple dishes.

Required ingredients:

• fish fillet – 1 g;
• mayonnaise – 300 g;
• sour cream – 150 g;
• egg – 1 pc.;
• processed cheese;
• flour - a tablespoon.

Freepik.com
Nutritional and energy value:

• proteins – 12.3;
• fats – 14.5;
• carbohydrates – 2;
• kcal – 190.

Cooking method:

• First of all, prepare the fillet. Wash, dry, cut into small pieces;
• Grease a baking dish with oil, place half of the fish there;
• grate the cheese and sprinkle on top;
• Place the remaining fillet in a third layer;
• in a separate container mix mayonnaise, eggs, sour cream and flour;
• beat the mixture with a whisk;
• pour everything into the mold;
• bake for 40 minutes.

Note. Cut only the cooled charlotte, you need to give the dough time to set and not fall apart when cutting.

Time costs – 1 hour. Servings – 4.

With garlic and onions

Portioned baked fish with garlic and juicy onions can be a good option for lunch or dinner. Tomato and paprika sauce will add some piquancy to it.

• red or white fish fillet – 500 g;
• onion – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 5 cloves;
• tomato sauce with paprika – 100 g;
• sunflower oil – 2 tbsp. l;
• spices as needed.

Recipe step by step:

1. The fillets are washed with cold water and then cut into equal pieces.
2. The garlic is peeled, chopped and mixed with salt.
3. Spread the garlic mixture onto the fillets and put them in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
4. Coat the fish with ready-made (store-bought) sauce with paprika and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
5. The onion is peeled, finely chopped and added to the fillet.
6. Keep the fillet in the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of approximately 180 degrees.

Portioned fish is served as a separate dish or with a vegetable side dish.

Cooking time – 1 hour

Number of servings – 2

Casserole in Scandinavian style

A dish with such an original name undoubtedly deserves the attention of every housewife.

To prepare it you need to stock up on the following products:

• 1 kg of potatoes;
• two onions;
• two fillets;
• cream, 20 percent fat – 500 ml;
• cheese.

Freepik.com
Nutritional value per 100 grams of finished product:

• proteins – 8.3;
• fats – 8.3;
• carbohydrates – 8.5;
• kcal – 131.

Step-by-step instruction:

• Peel the potatoes and cut into thin slices;
• divide the fish into small portions;
• grate the cheese;
• peel the onion, cut into half rings;
• Grease a baking sheet with oil and begin to form the dish;
• Place potatoes in the first layer, sprinkle with salt and pepper;
• further arrange the pieces of fish;
• sprinkle onions on top;
• pour cream over everything;
• cook for 30 minutes;
• after this time, take out the mold and sprinkle cheese on top;
• cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese mixture has melted.

Time – 50 minutes. Servings – 4.

How to cook frozen fish in a frying pan?

Frying frozen fish is not much different from fresh fish. To do this, you must first defrost the carcass and cut it into portions. In this case, the fins are removed, and the internal dark coating is cleaned off with a knife or washed off with cold water. This film can add additional bitterness.

How to cook frozen fish in a frying pan:

• It is necessary to season the fish with salt and spices, and leave for 5 minutes at room temperature, soak in the marinade. After this, breading is carried out using flour and frying in a hot frying pan. Remember, you must use only hot oil, without additional flavoring additives. It is best to choose a refined product.
• Fry over high heat until a crust forms. This will allow you to achieve a beautiful golden hue and will prevent the product from spilling. As soon as you get a golden brown crust, you need to reduce the heat and cook until done.
• Unlike meat, fish does not need to be covered with a lid, otherwise you will not get a thick, crispy crust. Regarding cooking time, small fish such as bullheads or capelin must be fried for 10 minutes. If they are pieces of mackerel or hake, you will need about 15 minutes. The fastest way to cook the fillet is to cook it in 5-7 minutes. This is due to the fact that it is small in thickness and has no bones.

Haddock

Thawing at room temperature

This method is similar to the air defrosting option. The product is taken out of the refrigerator and left in the kitchen to thaw naturally. The most time-consuming option. The fish should also be wrapped in cling film. It is more convenient to put it on a plate or place it in an empty container.

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