Bullfish: photo, description, useful properties and recipes

Bullfishes - a popular fish in cooking from the family Bullfish. They live in the sea and in fresh water bodies, represented by a wide variety of species. Classifiers have included in this genus more than 1300 varieties, among which the majority are inhabitants of the sea depths. The rest live in rivers and lakes. Fishermen know that the goby is an extremely voracious and ubiquitous fish, it often bites the bait intended for other, larger species. Medicine knows that this product is of great value for the body and can be used in the dietary diet.

The bullhead: what kind of fish, what does it look like, and where does it live?

Bullheads are found in almost every body of water in Eurasia, they are unpretentious and hardy, have the ability to adapt even to the most unsafe conditions. Due to their rapid reproduction and high survival rate of fry, species populations grow extremely fast, making the fish of great value to the food industry.

The bullhead can be recognized by its appearance by anyone who understands fish even a little bit. It has a large, rounded head, with bulging eyes and a wide mouth. The body of the fish is short, maximum can reach 25-27 cm, there are some species that grow to 40 cm, but they are extremely rare. These pond dwellers have a wide back, large fins. Coloration of the skin can be any - from light gray to black with bright yellow spots, depending on the species. Bullfrogs eat fry, mollusks and other aquatic life, also enjoy eating plankton.

Species

Officially, gobies are not considered freshwater fish, all varieties are conventionally divided into two subgroups:

• brackish-water;
• marine.

The first type easily adapts to any habitat conditions; it has taken root in rivers and even in reservoirs with standing water. Representatives of this group are most common in estuaries and river mouths. Sea gobies live only in salt water and do not have such adaptive abilities. The most common varieties of value in cooking are the following:

• whip;
• tsutsik;
• runner;
• sandpiper;
• shirman;
• roundworm;
• tadpole;
• grasshopper.

Bullfrogs may have insignificant differences in appearance. Their skin is colored light gray, black, there are varieties with spots, stripes or other natural patterns.

How the rotan differs from the goby

The rattan bears little resemblance to members of the Bovine family, although they belong to the genus Cephalopods. Of the similarities, these species have only modest size, greater prevalence, skin coloration and large fins. The difference is noticeable if you look at the body - it is flattened, and the muzzle is sharper than that of gobies. Otherwise, there are no big differences, but it is easy to identify the rattan by these two features. In addition, it has a completely different taste.

Composition and calories

The caloric value of the raw product is 89 kcal per 100 g. Fats in it no more than 2-3%, depending on the species. Fish does not contain any carbohydrates, so it can be used even in the diet of people suffering from diabetes, who have a reduced ability to absorb such substances.

Bullfish is a valuable food product that can make up for the deficiency of proteins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and fats in the human body. The composition of this fish includes more than 30 different substances that are beneficial to health.

1. Vitamin D is a substance that is necessary for the absorption of calcium. This component ensures healthy bones, supports normal hormonal background, prevents depression, apathy and fatigue.
2. B vitamins ensure the functioning of the nervous system, promote rapid regeneration of tissues, support the formation of new brain cells. They are essential for the health of the digestive system, reproductive function, and skin.
3. Vitamins E and A - substances with antioxidant effect, which take care of the immune system, skin, support hair growth and strengthen them, provide protection against cancer, participate in cell division.
4. Iron, cobalt, iodine - components that have beneficial effects on hematopoiesis processes, support thyroid function, normalize hormone levels in the body and ensure healthy skin, hair and nails.
5. Potassium and sodium - substances that are beneficial to the cardiovascular system, provide a normal water-salt balance, are necessary for kidney health and good sleep.
6. Magnesium is necessary to prevent insomnia, with increased irritability, in the postpartum period. It also takes care of the health of the nervous system, is necessary for intellectual ability, memory, stress resistance.
7. Sulfur is a component that contributes to the health and beauty of the skin, removes toxins from the body, and maintains the balance of trace elements in the bone.
8. Phosphorus is necessary for teeth, nervous system, immunity, bones and functioning of internal organs.
9. Fatty acids - increases the body's resistance, helps lose weight and clear the blood vessels, the brain needs for normal functioning and helps maintain a healthy rate of cell regeneration and metabolism.

Also, steers contain amino acids, which, when ingested, help normalize the work of internal organs and systems. They are necessary for the recovery of all components of the musculoskeletal system, prevent vascular diseases, beneficial effects on the liver.

Useful properties of steers

General benefits

There are many beneficial properties for the body in this fish, so it is necessary to include it in your diet. In some cases, doctors themselves recommend to eat gobies, if it is necessary to restore health. The rich composition of this product allows its use as a source of valuable vitamins, minerals, protein and fatty acids. There are universal properties of gobies that are useful for all people regardless of their age, sex and body condition.

1. Fish is very useful for people with heart disease. Magnesium and fatty acids contained in it strengthen the heart muscle, normalize the functioning of the vascular system, and improve the blood supply to tissues.
2. The components that make up the product help the body process excess cholesterol, which harms blood vessels and can cause severe complications.
3. The nutrients found in gobies improve brain function. Fatty acids from this fish improve memory, increase intellectual abilities and concentration. In addition, the proteins from this product take part in the processes of neurogenesis, that is used to create new brain cells.
4. The fatty acids particularly omega-6 contained in the fish improve the appearance of the skin, strengthen the hair, making it silky and shiny.
5. Bullfish contain vitamins that have antioxidant properties. They protect against different types of cancer. According to recent studies, omega-3 also prevents cancer cells from growing and developing.
6. For those who are in a state of apathy and depression, the consumption of this fish can be very useful. The active components of the product normalize the processes of hormone synthesis responsible for vitality, emotional and mental health.
7. Bullfish is an excellent product for those who suffer from high blood pressure. The product does not contain trans fats, and omega-3 and omega-6 help to increase the lumen of blood vessels. Magnesium prevents seizures by relieving spasms, and lowers blood cortisol levels.

As you can see, steers, when consumed regularly, can significantly improve health and even help with various diagnoses. It is also worth considering the benefits of this product for women for various physiological conditions, men, children.

For women.

A deficiency of calcium and sulfur in the female body has a very negative effect on reproductive function, so steers are a useful food for those who plan to conceive a child. This product protects the body from mineral deficiencies. The fatty acids that make up the fish provide reliable protection against infectious diseases and support the immune system. Omega-3 also helps prevent breast and cervical cancer when consumed with fat-soluble vitamins (tocopherol and retinol).

For men

Men benefit greatly from eating dishes made with this fish for three reasons.

1. Proteins are necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system.
2. Antioxidants protect against inflammatory processes and cancer, to which the stronger sex is prone over the age of 40.
3. Fatty acids and mineral compounds keep blood vessels and heart healthy and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

According to statistics, men are predisposed to some endocrine diseases associated with iodine deficiency and other minerals, so fish consumption is a good prevention for them. In steers 18% of protein, which is easily absorbed by the body and is used to maintain the health of muscle tissue. This is an indispensable product for men who lead an active life, are exposed to great physical exertion every day or are fond of weight training.

When pregnant.

Medics and many people far from this profession like to repeat: "Pregnancy is not a disease." This is true, but this natural state for the body is quite debilitating. Women over 38-40 weeks can acquire a number of problems and diseases if they do not supply their bodies with the full range of substances necessary not only for the development of the baby, but also for the health of its mother. Bullock is a very valuable product for women who are expecting a baby, because it helps to avoid the lack of basic components necessary for maintaining health. Here are just a few useful properties of this fish, which are relevant during pregnancy:

1. Strengthening teeth, bones, the normal formation of the skeleton of the child due to the content of calcium, vitamin D.
2. Maintaining immunity, protection from infectious diseases that are quite difficult to treat due to the inability to use traditional pharmaceuticals during this period.
3. Providing the substances necessary for the development of the nervous system of the embryo.
4. Protection against depressive disorder, maintaining a normal hormonal background.
5. Prevention of gaining excess weight due to low caloric content.
6. Protection against anemia in pregnant women and fetal hypoxia.
7. Strengthening the cardiovascular system of the baby and the woman herself.

As you can see, the benefits of consuming steer are many. The main thing is not to use dried and dried fish in the diet because of the risk of developing food toxic infections, as well as because of the large amount of salt, which can lead to edema.

When breastfeeding

Regular consumption of steers during breastfeeding helps a woman to cope with stress and increased fatigue, speeding up the process of postpartum recovery. If a woman regularly ate fish before the birth of a child, it is not necessary to limit the consumption of this product after childbirth. If there are no contraindications, gobies will only benefit both the mother and her baby.

Bullock is a valuable food product for breastfeeding women, because it contains components necessary for lactation, as well as replenishes the lack of minerals and vitamins, which has a positive effect on the health of the mother and on the development of the child. It is extremely rare for children to be allergic to this product, only in this case it is worth excluding it from the diet.

Women in this period are in dire need of easily digestible protein, and steers contain proteins in large quantities. In addition, they contain fats and fatty acids, which are necessary for the growth of the baby, its immunity and the proper development of the nervous system. Also, these components are involved in the regulation of metabolic processes and the synthesis of hormones necessary for the functioning of the body.

Iodine, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur and calcium are components that nursing mothers usually lack, because of which their children suffer. The healthy development of bones, teeth, cardiovascular system depends on these substances. Bullheads completely fill the needs of the female body in these micronutrients, as well as with regular consumption prevents mineral deficiency in the child.

This kind of fish is a source of B vitamins. Riboflavin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, pantothenic acid are substances that mother and child need for hematopoiesis, immunity, healthy skin and hair, support the nervous system.

For kids.

Children can also eat steers from the age of three. A child from the moment of birth grows intensively, and to provide these processes it needs proteins of animal origin. In 100 grams of steers there are 18 g of protein, which almost covers the daily requirement of preschool children in this component.

In addition, fish contains fatty acids, which are essential for children's bodies. They have such effects:

• stimulate brain function;
• improve memory;
• Increase the concentration of attention, which is very important for effective learning;
• take care of the health of the skin, protect against dermatitis;
• improve the functioning of the digestive and cardiovascular systems;
• protect the liver from toxins.

B vitamins, when consumed in combination with the fats contained in fish, provide reliable protection against infections, helping the child's body quickly cope with colds and other illnesses. Mineral compounds provide bone growth, harmonious development of the skeleton, protect the child's nervous system from stress and large emotional stress.

For weight loss.

Bullfish is a low-calorie, protein-rich fish that contains only 2% fat, making it very useful for those who want to cope with excess weight. This product can be included in the diet in large quantities, and it will not have a negative impact on the results of weight loss. On the contrary, steers contribute to a faster burning of fat. They have such useful properties, relevant for those who lose weight:

1. The fatty acids that are part of the steers activate the process of lipolysis.
2. The large amount of protein allows you to lose weight without sacrificing muscle mass.
3. Vitamins and minerals reduce damage from diets to hair, nails and skin.

In addition, fish contains a minimum amount of calories, but it gives a long feeling of fullness and maximum energy. Therefore, for those who lose weight, this product is a real godsend. For example, one serving (200 g) contains only 180 kcal. But in order to lose weight with the help of steers, it is important to prepare them correctly - stew them with vegetables, bake or use them for steamed cutlets, meatballs, light pates.

Harms and contraindications

Bullfish is the safest fish, it has almost no contraindications. The only reason to refuse completely to use - hypersensitivity. That is, those who are allergic to fish should completely exclude it from their diet, as it can negatively affect the health of the digestive system and other organs.

Potential harm can be associated with the consumption of raw or dried gobies. The fact is that during the drying process, salted fish is covered with a thin, airtight film, and anaerobic bacteria can develop inside, which release botulinum toxin (the strongest poison, which negatively affects the brain and sometimes leads to death). It is harmful to eat salted steers in large quantities and those diagnosed with hypertension and gout. Cooking technology involves the use of large amounts of salt, and this can lead to a sharp increase in blood pressure and metabolic disorders.

It is not recommended to abuse steers to those who have thyroid disease. This product can be of great benefit, normalize the functioning of the endocrine system, but it should be used only with the permission of the doctor. Uncontrolled use of fish in such diagnoses can cause deterioration of health.

How to choose and store

When buying fish, the first thing to do is to assess its appearance - a spoiled product can be calculated even with the naked eye. The second criterion for selection is the smell. Fresh gobies have a weakly pronounced, pleasant fish aroma, but if there are notes of hydrogen sulfide, rot or chemicals, you can not buy such a product, it can be dangerous for the body. Additional tips for choosing:

1. It is necessary to pay attention to the eyes of the fish. In fresh gobies they should not be cloudy in any case.
2. The skin should not be dry, as well as the fins.
3. On the body of steers there are no visible injuries.
4. If you easily put your finger on the body of the fish, it should spring, be solid and elastic, and immediately restore its shape. If it does not, and after touching it there are dents, you should not buy such products - they are not fresh.
5. If you plan to buy fish in a sealed package, you must look at the integrity of the package, pay attention to the date of production.

It is important to understand that you can buy fresh gobies only in regions located near water bodies - seas, lakes, rivers. If the fish is sold in a town or village without any waterways, it can be spoiled in transit. Also, sometimes the seller tries to pass off the defrosted product as freshly caught.

The rules for storage are the same as for any other fish, but you need to know them so as not to spoil the product and not to poison yourself. You can store gobies in the refrigerator, in the freezer. If it is freshly caught fish, the shelf life without heat treatment at 2-3 degrees is 48 hours, no more. If you want to freeze - you can store at a temperature not higher than -10 degrees to 2 months. Already cooked fish should be eaten within 2-3 days. As a last resort, you can store stewed steers for 4-5 days by boiling them for 2-3 days.

If you plan to salt or cure fish, you also need to know and follow the rules of storage. Salted, completely dry fish can be stored up to 30 days, no longer. The fats in the product will begin to oxidize, and there will be an unpleasant smell and bitter taste. Eat such fish can not, it is very harmful to the liver and kidneys, can provoke severe food poisoning. To preserve the taste and usefulness of the product for a long time, you need to keep it in a cool, dry place. The dried steers should be eaten for 2 weeks, stored in the refrigerator.

How to cook the goby tasty: recipes

You can cook gobies in different ways, in any collection of recipes there are a couple of dozens of options that will help to make a real culinary masterpiece from this simple fish. The main thing is to choose and store it correctly, so as not to spoil the finished dish. For those who have already decided to diversify their diet with this product, there are several classic, years-tested recipes.

In the oven

Baking fish in the oven is the best solution. First, due to the even distribution of temperature, it bakes well. Secondly, you do not need to use a large amount of oil for this, which means that the caloric value of the finished dish will not become higher. There are many ways to bake this product in the oven. Below are a few popular recipes.

Shish kebabs of steers with potatoes is prepared as follows - fish is cleaned, marinated in spices, lemon juice and olive oil, leave for 30 minutes in this mixture, preferably in the refrigerator. Potatoes are peeled and cut into slices of any shape, salted, smeared with oil and put on a baking tray, which is previously covered with foil. The marinaded fish is poked with wooden skewers and set vertically in the potatoes. Send it to the oven for 40 minutes, bake at 200 degrees.

The second method is less time-consuming, we can say - classic. Clean the bullheads, preferably removing the heads, without them the fish will look more appetizing. To prepare a marinade separately - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the same amount of vegetable oil, salt, aromatic herbs or simply black pepper. Grease the fish with this mixture, put it in a heatproof form, you can put it on an onion pillow (cut the onions into rings and cover the bottom of the form). Bake at 200 degrees for 30-40 minutes until tender.

In a frying pan

You can just fry steers - this is the easiest way, but because of the use of vegetable oil, the finished dish turns out more caloric. To ensure that the carcasses do not disintegrate during cooking, you need to choose only the freshest fish, preferably one that has not been frozen.

To fry is very simple - you need to roll out the pan with sunflower oil, peel and wash the fish, salt and dab in flour (you can first in the egg whipped with salt), put it on the pan and cover with a lid. Turn over after 3 to 5 minutes to fry the other side. Serve hot with side dishes or as a separate appetizer, you can decorate with lemon slices, olives or herbs.

In the multicooker

Cooking fish in the multicooker is a good idea, because thanks to this appliance you can make the bones soft and absolutely safe even for children. The easiest recipe for cooking is stewing gobies in tomato. To make a delicious and healthy dish, you need the following ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• 50 g of tomato;
• 1 onion;
• salt, sugar, pepper, spices - to taste.

You need to switch on the mode in the multicooker with a temperature of about 150-170 degrees, to first fry the onion in a bowl in sunflower oil. When it acquires a golden hue, there add tomato, salt, pepper and sugar (to balance the acidity of the paste), lay peeled steers without heads. Add 1 cup of water, close the lid.

It is necessary to choose the optimal mode with a duration of at least 1.5 hours (this time is necessary for the fish to soften the bones, and the flesh becomes tender and tasty). The choice of program depends on the model of the multicooker. Some variants have a mode "Stew", but if it is not available, you can choose a program for vegetables or porridge, where the temperature is also not too high.

For owners of pets that can be fed steers, a recipe for cooking in the multicooker can also be useful. For animals, you need to stew fish without tomato (the acid is bad for the health of the digestive system), adding a small amount of salt and vegetable oil. From steers stewed in water with oil can be made pates or grinded on a meat grinder and frozen, used instead of food, as an additive to porridge.

In tomato sauce

In every grocery store today you can buy canned steers stewed in tomato sauce. This product is popular because of its taste. Tender fish fillets are in harmony with sweet and sour gravy and vegetable additives (onions and carrots). But it is not always safe to buy canned fish. First, they are not very useful because they contain preservatives, and products from long storage lose some of their active ingredients. Secondly, tomato gobies are often tampered with, which does not guarantee their safety. If the cooking technology has been violated, canned fish can be dangerous. Therefore, it is better to take fresh gobies and cook it yourself.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 1 onion;
• 2 carrots;
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste;
• sugar, salt, ground pepper to taste;
• 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice.

The fish should be cleaned, washed and fried in oil. Separately poach onion and carrots over low heat, at the very end add the tomato, salt, pepper, you can add bay leaf and allspice. Pour the sauce over the roasted steers, stew in a cauldron for at least 1 hour at minimum temperature. You can cook fish this way in a multicooker, in a pressure cooker, then the bones will be completely soft, and they will not need to be selected.

How to cook steer cutlets

From gobies you get very tasty diet cutlets, which can be fried, baked, stewed in tomato sauce. This dish is quite useful, because for cooking the product is ground together with the bones, and they contain a concentration of calcium, phosphorus and other mineral compounds, which have a positive effect on the health of the entire body.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 1 egg;
• 2 tablespoons of semolina;
• onion;
• 2 garlic cloves;
• breadcrumbs;
• salt and pepper.

To begin cooking, you must first defrost the product. Do not pour it with warm water, because the fish will lose its flavor. First cut off the heads and clean out the insides, and then proceed as follows.

1. Take a meat grinder with the finest mesh and mince three times so that the bones are not felt in it at all. An electric appliance or a food processor can best handle this task.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the ground steers, knead the force-meat and send it for 20 minutes in the freezer, so that it is easier to work with it.
3. Next, make not too thick cutlets, so that they are well fried inside, roll them in breadcrumbs and send to the frying pan.
4. Fry the product on both sides, and then lay it on a napkin to get rid of the excess oil.

If you need to stew the cutlets after frying, you should not dump them in breadcrumbs, this will negatively affect the taste of the sauce. Any side dishes are suitable for the cutlets - porridges, potato dishes, pasta. You can also make cutlets without semolina, take softened bread crumbs, flour. You can do without additives at all, but in this case the mince will turn out quite liquid and will have to put it with a spoon on a hot pan, but there will be no unnecessary ingredients, the pronounced fish flavor and aroma will be preserved.

Interesting facts

Bullfish is a legendary fish that is very popular in resort regions. It is a symbol of summer holidays. Probably at every sea beach you can buy it in dried and dried form. But there are many facts about this product that are worthy of attention.

1. In the famous Ukrainian resort town Berdyansk so value this fish, they even put a monument to her, as she helped the population to survive the lean years.
2. Bullheads are one of the most popular fish in the food industry. It is canned not only in tomato, but also in oil, and is used as an additive in the production of pates of more expensive varieties.
3. This fish contains micronutrients that can restore bone tissue and protect against age-related events. Mineral compounds are present in a format that is very easily assimilated by the body.
4. Some varieties of steers are included in the Red Book and have a protected status. Not all species are so numerous.
5. The gobies are a real problem for the fishermen. They are the most common reason for the disappearance of worms and gizzards from the hook, and they eat the bait so skillfully that inexperienced anglers can not even feel the bait.
6. This fish is not so harmless as it seems at first sight. In fact, gobies are a threat to many other species, because they eat fry.
7. In this fish parasites are very rare, so it is the safest for health and is often used for drying and drying.

Bullfish is a healthy product that deserves to be a part of every person's diet. If you eat this fish regularly, you can improve your health and not be deficient in minerals and vitamins!

Photo of the goby fish