Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Learn how to make good on ‘trash fish’
Dogfish, drum, sea robin — embrace the idea that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and sample some so-called “trash fish.”
“I like the term underloved fish,” said Patrick Byrne, proprietor of General Warren in Malvern. “Another great term to use for trash fish is fisherman’s dinner or fisherman’s lunch.”
And what better time to try these often overlooked fish than National Seafood Month?
“Sometimes we say rough fish because it’s not appealing or appetizing. No one wants to eat trash,” explained executive chef Chiwishi Joy Abney, an instructor at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne. “A lot of them are scavengers, so they’re really looked down upon.”
Growing up, her grandmother made delicious fried porgy.
“We’re kind of pressured by what is popular,” Abney said. “I think it’s our job as cooks to really offer some insight and variety to the plate.”
“Chefs today are so much more creative and thinking outside the box,” agreed Byrne. “Drum fish used to be a bait.”
As a young chef, he remembers restaurants discovering fluke, “a thick flounder” that was “as cheap as can be.”
“Everything cycles,” Byrne noted. “History repeats itself on every level, and that includes food.”
One way to translate the trend at home: Use lesserknown fish in an autumn seafood stew, featuring spiced carrot puree.
“With that base, any of the lower-end fish would go well with it because there’s a lot going on,” said Josh Smith, General Warren’s executive chef, who mentioned skate wing, which is “basically a baby stingray,” and catfish.
“Catfish is another big one that’s underutilized and pigeon-holed into one way you can make it,” he described. “You could add it to a bouillabaisse or a fish stew.”
Abney’s also a catfish fan.
“There’s a sweetness to it and a crispiness, depending on how you cook it. Catfish is often fried down South,” she said. “Grits or polenta would be nice, lots of fresh herbs.”
There truly are plenty of fish in the sea. So don’t be afraid to look beyond shrimp or salmon and talk some trash ... fish that is.
“To offer something beautifully presented and fresh from the water, you can’t beat that.”
Autumn Seafood Stew INGREDIENTS
Fresh fish Seasonal vegetables Spiced carrot puree: 6 cups carrots, small dice
3 tablespoons shallots, small dice 1 tablespoon garlic 5 star anise 4 bay leaves 1 bottle (750ml) sparkling cider 4 cups water 2 cups blood orange juice (may substitute orange juice)
2 teaspoons salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Place star anise and bay leaves in a cheesecloth sachet. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan and simmer on a medium heat until tender. Transfer mixture to a blender and puree.
Once the puree has been prepared, it is time for the fish. You may use any affordable fresh fish that you find at the market. Cod or pollock are both great affordable fish that the average home chef can prepare. Simply pat the fish dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat a large sauté pan up over a medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Gingerly add the fish to the hot pan. Sear the fish for approximately 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove from the heat and add a tablespoon of butter. Swirl the fish around gently in the butter. Heat the carrot broth and add your favorite seasonal vegetables. Roasted potatoes, parsnips, cipollini onions and kale work very well, but let your tastes and creativity be your guide.
To serve, simply scoop 4 ounces of the puree into a shallow bowl, arrange your vegetables to your liking and place your buttered fish on top.
RECIPE COURTESY OF GENERAL WARREN