Lemon marinades: Unlock ultimate fish flavor boost
Many people simply rub fish with salt and coat it in breadcrumbs before frying. However, you'll get much better results by taking a little more time to marinate the fillets. This process requires minimal effort—mostly just allowing the fish to soak up the flavors. You can prepare the marinade in just 5 minutes.
Everyone knows that lemon enhances the taste of fish, but few add it before frying the fillets. Fish sprinkled with lemon juice right on the plate will have a pleasant citrus flavor, but if you add it to the marinade, it will offer much more. You'll need one additional ingredient to soften the fibers and enrich the aroma with slightly fruity notes.
What marinade for cod, and what for salmon?
Fish with white meat pairs well with a delicate citrus marinade. The best results are achieved by mixing olive oil with lemon juice and a bit of dry white wine. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, or dill make valuable additions.
Salmon or tuna has slightly different needs. For pink meat, a marinade with white wine and lemon juice also works, but you'll extract more depth using a slightly sweeter mix of lemon juice and soy sauce. Drawing inspiration from Japanese cuisine, you can also try teriyaki sauce, which has a dense structure and sweet-salty flavor. It pairs excellently with baked or grilled tuna steaks.
Lemon – an indispensable ingredient in fish marinade
Lemon juice not only enhances the taste of fish and softens its fibers but also affects the skin, making it crispier after frying. Citric acid helps neutralize amines, which cause unpleasant odors. The oxidizing properties of lemon ensure that the meat retains a nice, white color after frying.
How does wine affect the fish meat?
Adding wine to the marinade is intentional. The acid in the wine helps break down the fish fibers, making the meat more tender and juicy. Additionally, wine inhibits bacterial growth, extending the freshness of the fillets. Both wine and lemon affect the color of the meat, lightening it and making it look more appetizing.
The flavor of the wine is also important. If you prefer more tangy notes, choose Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. You'll achieve a fruitier taste by adding a bit of Pinot Grigio to the marinade.
Recipe for fish marinade
You can successfully use this marinade for preparing fried fish such as cod, trout, or halibut. It's also great for oven-baked fish. Below are the proportions for two large fillets.
Ingredients for the marinade:
- 2 fl oz olive oil
- 1 fl oz lemon juice
- 1 fl oz dry white wine
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions:
- Crush the garlic using a press.
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture over cleaned and dried portions of fish.
- Leave in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
- Coat the fish in flour and fry in a pan with heated oil.
