Fish that doesn't taste like fish

[AnkaJones]

Hi,

This is kind of an embarrasing question, but here it goes: do any of you have recipes for fish that make it unrecognizable as fish?

Here's the situation: I hate fish.  I actually know when it started -- I was 4-5 years old and got fish at a restaurant that cooked it skin on, and it was the first time I had seen that and balked.  Since then, no fish, despite several attempts.  The only thing I can kinda get down is salmon, but even then the fish-ness of it gives me trouble.  I have to get very zen and just be present to the experience as one that is not necessarily pleasurable but also not making me vomit. 

My dear husband, who has totally followed my lead the last six months where we basically reorganized our household to implement meal planning, budgeting, debt-repayment, and some limited food growing, today asked me "can we have one fish meal a week."  I definately want to do that for him, since he's been so good about the rather sweeping lifestyle changes over the last few months.  We discussed the options, and one of the ones he came up with is we make two things, one fish and one no-fish, but I'd like to avoid that precident as I hope one day we'll have six kids, and I kind of want it to be a rule that we eat what's served... so obviously have to apply that to myself for starters, no?

Anyway, I figured I'd post and see if any of you moms have recipes from dealing with your own finicky eaters.

Thanks!

Anka

[Jenni1894]

I don't really care for fish myself.   Neither does DH, but DS likes it alot.   Fishsticks I can eat, but they aren't really fish I guess.  lol   I made some breaded cod once in a Lousiana breading (from the grocery store) and EVERYONE wanted more.   But I only made a little b/c I wasn't sure how it was going to go over.

[Ellien C]

not a big fish person here, but:

Would scallops or shrimp count? I really like scallops.

I've also heard that REALLY fresh fish doesn't taste fishy. One thing I tried to do was whenever we ate out was to order fish - so I'd get a taste of well prepared fish and start there. I'm not a great cook and I figured I'd have a better chance of liking it if some good chef prepared it. 

Do you have a quality source of fish? What about some prepared fish meals to get you started? 

[Chicky2]

I would start w/a mild white fish like tilapia and go from there.  It's not so expensive, either, so if you don't like it it isn't such a waste.  I would grill it w/lots of flavor.  Maybe an Asian twist like fresh ginger, orange juice, and soy sauce?  Another one I love is corn flakes encrusted halibut w/lots of red pepper flakes.  So good.  But very expensive.  The only time I could afford it was when my neighbor caught a huge one in Alaska and brought us a HUGE piece.

[kitchensqueen]

I definitely agree with the previous poster that said that good, fresh fish does not taste "fishy". Good fish should smell/taste like the sea. Unless you live near a reliable seaport, don't buy the "fresh" fish at the seafood counter of your grocery store - it was flash-frozen at sea and then defrosted for the counter. Buy frozen fish. 

In my opinion cod and perch (if you can find it, and get it from a sustainable fishery) are pretty good "beginner" fish, because they're firm fleshed and fairly neutral in flavor. The two best ways to eat fish if you're not a big fish eater are breaded and fried (or baked) as for fish 'n' chips, or wrapped in bacon. Can't go wrong either way. :-)

[AnkaJones]

Wow, this is great!  At least I have some ideas to try.  And I have to say, Kitchensqueen, everything tastes good wrapped in bacon... I just never thought of wrapping fish in it. 

Thanks ladies!

Anka

[thatgirliknew]

I do not eat fish. But when I was at my mil's house and had no other choice, I had walleye (sp?) and it did not taste a thing like fish...

[kitchensqueen]

Originally Posted by AnkaJones 

Wow, this is great!  At least I have some ideas to try.  And I have to say, Kitchensqueen, everything tastes good wrapped in bacon... I just never thought of wrapping fish in it. 

Thanks ladies!

Anka

Bacon is the best thing ever. Bacon wrapped cod is actually one of my favorite things to eat... kind of makes me think I should put some on this week's shopping list. :-)

Originally Posted by thatgirliknew 

I do not eat fish. But when I was at my mil's house and had no other choice, I had walleye (sp?) and it did not taste a thing like fish...

Yeah, I agree - walleye is another good one.