Did you know that some people consider flounders as one of the most delicious fish? This is not only false, but it can be deadly if consumed in large quantities!
The term “flounder” comes from the French word flonneret which means flatfish. There are three main types of flatfish: étron (silver dollar), plaice (European white bass) and halibut. All of these fishes are characterized by having long, slender soft bodies and no dorsal fin or spine.
However, there is one major difference between the three- their taste. Some say that flounder has an especially strong flavor that many find pleasantly salty and/or buttery. Others describe its taste as slightly more meat like than other fish. No matter what kind of flavor they claim to have, almost everyone agrees that flounder tastes very well when cooked properly.
There are several ways to cook flounder depending on your preferences and what type of food you plan to make with it. The best way to prepare flounder depends mostly on how much cooking time you want to give it and what you will serve it with.
What are the health benefits
This fish is considered a healthier alternative to other white meat fishes like chicken or turkey. Because it does not contain much protein, however, it cannot be counted as an excellent source of dietary protein.
That is not to say that you should avoid flounder altogether! Just make sure to choose well-cooked flounder so that it does not taste too strong in flavor.
You can also use the bones from the flounder to make some delicious soup. Simply roast the bone until they are slightly browned and then add them into your stock or broth pot.
General tips: remember that even though flounder does not contain many calories, it can contribute up to 250 grams (about 8 ounces) per week to your daily nutritional intake.
So, when eating out, ask about the nutrition facts and compare prices before ordering. Or if you would rather cook at home, there are several recipes for baked or broiled flounder that do not require too much extra preparation time.
Is it sustainable to eat
Although not popular, flounders are one of the more sustainable fish you can choose. They are an oily fish that grow in size rapidly. As such, they are typically caught at very young ages.
Oily fish like salmon, trout, and flounder contain high levels of omega-3 fats. These oils help improve blood clotting which may be helpful for people with coronary heart disease or who have experienced a recent stroke.
However, only limited studies exist about the effects of omega-3 fats on mental health. Some research suggests that omega-3s may reduce symptoms of depression, but there is no evidence that eating Omega-3s improves overall mood.
Overall, eating moderate amounts of healthy fat does not appear to affect mood. Because flounder contains enough vitamin D, eating a few servings per week cannot hurt your health.
Is it fresh or frozen
Does not like being cooked with oil or butter
Does not taste very good when raw
Needs lots of salt and lemon to taste well
Can be expensive depending on how you cook it
Thawing fluke can also pose a challenge as they do not freeze solid, so check out our tips here!
It is important to know whether your fish has been previously frozen or if it is fresh from the market. If it is fresh then it will have more flavor than if it was frozen before cooking.
If you are ever unsure about what kind of fish to buy, ask one of the staff at your local grocery store or find recipes online.
What are the different varieties
The next variety of fish you will learn how to prepare is floramdor or ‘flowermouth’ trout. This beautiful looking fish can be quite tricky to cook properly, however!
It is very important that when cooking this trout, that it does not stick onto the grill or pan. If it does, then the skin will continue to burn which would not only hurt your taste buds, but could also cause serious health problems.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, place the cooked floramdor trout on a plate lined with paper towels. As you may have guessed, this removes any stuck moisture. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the trout.
How to cook it
Cooking flounder is quite the challenge as there are many ways to prepare this fish. When buying fresh flounders, make sure they are very well-sourced and not frozen.
Never fry flounder as it will taste burnt. Instead broil or roast it! To bake it, just wash off any salt and oil that has dried in and then dry thoroughly before baking.
How to plate it
You do not have to eat the whole thing, unless you want to! The most common way to enjoy flounder is by thinly slicing it across the middle and eating it like tuna. Then simply season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pepper and mix together to create an incredible dish!
General tips for cooking flounder
Make sure your water boiling when preparing the fish. If the water is too hot the meat may overcook and become tough. Make sure it seeps out only slightly where it can melt into the butter or sauce on the side.
If the skin becomes too crispy remove it because you would prefer white flesh than browned.
Flounder with lemon
Sometimes, even though you have made your best effort to cook something in the know recipes, you still end up making things slightly wrong. With flounder being one of these foods, there is no need to worry!
If you ever find yourself with leftover pieces of flounder, don’t throw away all that lovely bone marrow! It can be consumed either raw or roasted and it tastes wonderful.
To enjoy this delicious treat, simply toast some sesame seeds and mix them into the marrow.
Flounder with lemon and garlic
While not as popular as other fish like trout or cod, fluke is another great option for every seafood lover. Not only are they more affordable, but most grocery stores will stock them at least once a month!
Not too many people know how to cook fluke, however. When cooked correctly, it can be eaten fresh or frozen and baked or broiled depending on your preferences.
It is important to remember that although fluke does grow in size when cooked, it does not taste any better than thinner whitefish. The flavor is very similar as well.
When buying fluke, make sure there are no dry pieces and that it smells pleasant.
Flounder with dill
Dill is one of those classic, time-honored flavorings that you will find in many recipes. Besides adding some fresh taste to your food, it can be used as an herbal supplement for digestive issues or health problems.
Dill also helps reduce gas and stomach ache caused by eating acidic foods like meat dishes or pasta. Because flounders are high in B vitamins and zinc, consuming them dried down along with their oil may help improve overall skin and hair quality.
Although not everyone enjoys fish due to allergies or diet preferences, most people know what kind of tastes they dislike when eating seafood. People tend to avoid oily fish because of this!
Since flounder has such a rich fat content, however, we suggest drying and roasting it to make it more delicious and healthier. This way, you get all the benefits mentioned above without too much extra grease.
