HOOKED ON LOVE
There’s more to fish than the obvious
It’s officially Lent, which in Pittsburgh means it’s time to renew your love affair with fish, be it broiled, baked, steamed or fried.
Yet eating the same old, same old over the next six weeks is going to get old pretty darn fast, no matter how revered your church’s fish fry is with the faithful, or how much you profess to love Mom’s tuna noodle casserole. So this year, it might be time to step out of your comfort zone.
The only problem is, some of us are so conditioned to traditional fried cod and haddock sandwiches, which the majority of fish fries have on their menus, that we’re not sure where to start. Or, we’ve had so much bad fish over the years, that we want to opt out of eating seafood altogether, choosing to fill up instead on classics such as mac ’n cheese, haluski and Pittsburgh-proud pierogies on meatless Fridays.
It doesn’t have to be so. While we’re all for supporting your local parish, fire department or community center fish fry, we suggest you try your hand at something new in the kitchen. In that spirit, we offer easy-to-make and easy-on-the-pocketbook solutions to three common problems people have with fish.
Problem: We know salmon, which is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, is good for us. But its rather fishy taste can be a problem for those who are used to mild white fish such as cod or haddock.
Solution: Swap fresh for canned salmon, and mask the taste with herbs, spices and a crunchy coating. Deviled salmon patties are delicious as an entree with salad, or on top of a bun as a sandwich.
Problem: You want your kids to eat more fish, but don’t think a constant diet of fish sticks is such a good idea. For starters, how much fish do the sticks really contain anyway, and boy, what about all the saturated fat, salt and sugar in the breading?
Solution: Serve the kids fish tacos made with fresh soda-battered cod topped with spicy-sweet mango salsa. Tacos are fun for kids to assemble, and salsa is a great way to sneak fresh fruit onto the plate.
Problem: You’ve had so much fried fish that you’re starting to smell like a walking Long John Silver’s.
Solution: Opt for a simple veggie-filled shrimp stir-fry. Chinese noodle dishes are ridiculously easy to prepare, make good use of fresh veggies and look so pretty on the plate. Plus, you get to use chop sticks. How’s that for changing things up this Lenten season?