Dorado fish: photo, description, useful properties and recipes

Any fish is always a treasury of useful vitamins and trace minerals. This article will talk about the fish, which has the interesting name "dorado". Most often it is found in the Mediterranean Sea. In the Caribbean islands dorado dish is one of the most delicious and popular. Such fish is rich not only in enzymes necessary for the proper functioning of the body, but it is also a low-calorie product that is consumed by the fair sex during the diet.

This fish is artificially grown in Western European countries (Italy, France, Spain) and in Turkey. Dorado (or, as it is also called, crucian carp) is a delicacy, as it is grown in special conditions. There is a special food for them, and they are fattened up to a certain period until they reach a certain size.

Dorado: what kind of fish, what they look like, and where they live

Sea crucian carp look very unusual. They have a small oblong oval-shaped body. The head has a drooping profile, and the eyes are located in the middle. The mouth consists of two thick lips. The corners of the lips are always directed downward, which makes it seem that the dorado is always sad. The fins of the fish are rather spiny and stiff.

The belly of the fish is light gray in color, the dorsal part of it is completely dark. The head is colored in a gray-lead shade, and between the eyes among all these gray tones stands out a golden spot.

As mentioned above, the fish is found in the Mediterranean Sea. It is artificially bred in Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean islands, off the coast of North Africa. At the end of the XX century dorado appeared off the coast of Crimea. Their population was also found off the Bay of Biscay, in the North Sea and in the Irish Sea. But, of course, a large number of dorado live in the Mediterranean Sea. These waters are warm enough and excellent for them.

For the most part, sea carp live sedentary, but there are also those that flock and migrate for a certain season closer to France and Great Britain.

Fish that have recently emerged, that is, young individuals, prefer to live in the lagoons, while adult males and females move deep into the sea.

How dorado differs from sea bass

Sea bass is also a fish that is considered a delicacy on par with dorado and salmon. Yet despite the similar popularity of dorado and sea bass, they have many external and internal differences.

1. First, they differ in the families to which they belong. While dorado is a member of the Sparrow family, sea bass is a member of the Moron family.
2. Secondly, the range of sea bass is much wider than that of dorado, which predominantly lives in the Mediterranean. Sea bass is found in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
3. The appearance of fish differs dramatically. While dorado is oval and flat, sea bass has an elongated shape, and its head is more pointed.
4. The meat inside both the one and the other fish is white. It tastes very tender and almost no different, so when buying fillets in the store, you can make a mistake and take the wrong fish. Even the bones in sea bass and dorado are few. Still, if you want to learn how to distinguish and by internal signs of these two fish, it is worth remembering that the bones in sea bass are much harder and tougher. When cutting them, you have to remove them with tweezers. The dorado does not have any problems with this. The bones are soft, they almost do not feel and are removed quite easily.

Tip! To distinguish fresh sea bass or dorado from stale, you need to pay attention to the condition of their heads. First of all, the heads must be present, you do not need to buy just the carcasses. Secondly, the eyes and gills of the fish will tell you a lot about its freshness. If the eyes are cloudy and the gills have lost their bright red hue, it indicates that the product is not the first freshness, and it is not worth buying, so as not to harm your health.

What's healthier and tastier

Even the most sophisticated gourmets cannot answer this question: what is more delicious: dorado or sea bass. Many people agree that the meat of both fish has the same taste, so there is no point in choosing which is tastier. And in terms of chemical composition they are identical. They include iodine, phosphorus, protein compounds and various vitamins, which indicates that they are both equally useful. The only thing that dorado has only one plus that qualitatively distinguishes it from sea bass is the bones. This has already been mentioned above. Seabass has strong and hard bones, which a person can accidentally swallow, and this will cause many complications and problems. You just need to be very careful, then none of the fish will not harm your health in any way, will be tasty and useful.

Composition and calories

Dorado is quite a low-calorie product, so many nutritionists advise to include it in the diet. There are 95 kcal per 100 grams of meat, which is a very small indicator of the caloric value of the product in principle. Of course, this raw meat has such a calorie ratio. If baked, fried or boiled, however, this value will change. For example, if dorado is baked in the oven, its caloric value increases to 144. If baked in foil, on the contrary, the figure goes down to 96. When pan fried, the fish still has 95 kcal per 100 grams, the same as in raw meat. When grilled, its caloric value drops to 90. If it is boiled, the caloric value is also 90 kcal.

The composition of dorado is very diverse, so it is considered a very useful delicacy for the body.

1. B1 (or, as it is called, thiamine) is involved in metabolic and circulatory processes.
2. Retinol is not only involved in the formation of all sorts of chemical compounds, but also improves the condition of the skin, strengthens the hair structure and nails.
3. Vitamin B2 is responsible for strengthening the immune system, i.e. has a beneficial effect on improving the quality of human health.
4. Vitamin B6 is responsible for the formation of new red blood cells, that is, it has a positive effect on the body's circulatory system.
5. B12 is responsible for blood vessels and forms new red blood cells, affects the improvement of brain activity, and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
6. Fish also contains three types of acids: folic acid, pantothenic acid, and nicotinic acid. Pantothenic acid is responsible for the rapid healing and tightening of wounds and cuts, and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Folic acid is essential for the body because it is responsible for cell development and DNA integrity. It prevents the development of cancer, and affects the immune system, heart, and blood vessels. Thanks to the presence of folic acid in the body, a person is energized and able to work. Nicotinic acid also has an important effect. It mainly has a positive effect on the digestive system, improves the rate of metabolic processes and cleans the body of unnecessary salts, fats, slags and toxins.
7. In addition, this product contains a lot of useful minerals. There is fluoride, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus and iodine.

What is useful for dorado fish

General benefits

1. Due to the presence of B vitamins, particularly B2, eating delicate dorado fillets strengthens the immune system and prevents the development of various colds and viral diseases.
2. Dorado fish improves the digestive system. Due to its useful properties, it lowers blood cholesterol levels and prevents the development of cholesterol plaques that prevent proper blood circulation.
3. Dorado is a preventive measure against the development of cancer cells and cancers.
4. The vitamins have an excellent effect on the cardiovascular system. The heart muscle strengthens, which prevents the risk of stroke, heart attack or other diseases. Vascular walls are also strengthened, which again contributes to the excellent functioning of the circulatory system.
5. Dorado also has a beneficial effect on the hair. Thanks to the enzymes and nicotinic acid in the product, the hair is no longer so brittle. They get a natural shine, look healthy and lush.
6. Vitamin B12 affects the active brain activity, saturates the body with the necessary energy, and then it has the strength to work.
7. The nervous system strengthens, respectively, a person becomes more stress-resistant.

For women

This fish is a completely dietary product, so it can be consumed during diets and do not be afraid to get fat. About its caloric value has already been written above. Also, this product contains omega-3 acids that have a positive effect on the regeneration of skin cells and make them much younger, delaying the appearance of the first unwanted wrinkles. In addition, there is a lot of zinc in the fish, which has a positive effect on the genitals. This mineral fights such ailments as infertility, improves the function of the ovaries.

For men

The same zinc, which is so useful for women, is also necessary for the stronger sex. Zinc, together with magnesium, increases testosterone levels and prevents the risk of infertility by improving the fertility of the sexual system. Thanks to this trace element, the quality and production of sperm increases.

Pregnancy

Dorado is recommended to eat for expectant mothers. In this fish, as mentioned above, a lot of useful vitamins, minerals, which have a positive effect on the woman and child. In addition, fish has folic acid, which plays an important role in the development of the fetus. It prevents the risk of infantile cerebral palsy, participates in the formation of tissues and organs of not yet born child during the first trimester. Its deficiency threatens that there may be a premature detachment of the placenta, miscarriage and death of the child in the womb.

When you're breastfeeding

During lactation fish should be introduced into the diet gradually and in small portions, so that the newborn does not have an allergic reaction, as well as pain in the stomach.

It is recommended that the new mother eat not fried or baked fish, and boiled with little salt.

For children

Children can be introduced dorado in the diet from 11 months, but the portion should not exceed half a teaspoon. Then it can be gradually increased. But this should be done with caution, as the child may have abdominal pain, allergies and other complications.

When losing weight.

First, dorado does an excellent job of fixing the digestive system and metabolism. The metabolism is accelerated, thanks to which a person loses weight faster. The plus to this is that this product is low in calories, and it is safe to include it in the diet diet. All the more, dieting is always a great stress for the internal state of the body, because it does not get the right amount of vitamins and minerals. Consumption of fish will smooth these corners, because it has a lot of useful and nutritious elements.

In case of pancreatitis.

If a person suffers from pancreatitis, then dorado fish should be mandatory in his diet. This product is a source of protein, which contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other trace elements that improve the digestive system. Especially with pancreatitis can not eat fatty foods, and dorado is a seafood with a very low percentage of fat content.

Harm and contraindications

Despite all the useful properties of dorado, it still has some disadvantages:

1. First, it is very expensive, which indicates that not everyone can afford it.
2. Very rarely, but there are cases of individual intolerance.
3. Children should be given it very carefully, because there are a lot of small bones.

How to choose and store

To distinguish fresh dorado from stale, you need to pay attention to the condition of the heads. First, the heads must be a must, you do not need to buy just the carcasses. Secondly, the eyes and gills of the fish will tell a lot about the freshness. If the eyes are cloudy and the gills have lost their bright red hue, it indicates that the product is not the first freshness. You should not buy it in order not to harm your health.

There is nothing complicated and special about storing this fish. First you need to gut it and wash it. Then put it in a special container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last there only three days.

How to properly clean fish dorado

1. First rinse the fish, which can be remnants of sand, small scales and all other debris.
2. Then move on to the process of cleaning the fish from the scales itself. Now almost everyone has a special device at home that can help get rid of scales in a few minutes. If you don't have one, an ordinary knife will help. Start cleaning from the tail to the head, then move on to the abdomen and dorsal spine. Then rinse the fish again.
3. Then gut the fish, cut open the abdominal cavity and pull out all the internal organs. You should be careful with the gallbladder: do not crush it, otherwise the fish will spoil and be useless to eat. Then separate the foil from the tail and rinse the dorado again.
4. In the last step, remove the gills from the fish.

How to cook dorado well: Recipes

In the oven

It is believed that if the fish, and indeed any other product, baked in the oven, it will retain the maximum of its useful properties.

Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 2 pcs.
• Lemon.
• Vegetable oil (you can use olive oil).
• Paprika - 1 tbsp.
• Salt - to taste.

Method of preparation:

1. Clean the fish from scales and gut it. Then rinse the product and let it dry a little. Moisture can be removed with paper towels.
2. Cut the lemon into thin slices.
3. Marinate each fish in salt and paprika. Pour vegetable oil over the fish and put the lemon in the belly cavity, which has already been gutted.
4. Line a baking tray or special dish with parchment, grease it with oil and place the fish on it.
5. Before this the oven is heated to 170-180 degrees.
6. Bake the fish for about 20-25 minutes.

Tip: For the fish to turn out when baking juicier, you need to make a few cuts on its body.

Another recipe for cooking fish in the oven
Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 1 pc.
• Bread crumbs.
• Parsley.
• Rosemary.
• Lemon.
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp.
• Pepper - to taste.
• Salt - to taste.

Method:

1. Rinse, clean the fish of scales, gut it and rinse it again.
2. Cut the fish in several places. Rub the spices and olive oil into the holes.
3. Grind breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley and rosemary in a blender.
4. Stuff the fish with it.
5. Then put the fish on a pan and fry it for a few minutes on both sides.
6. Then put the fish into an oven, which has been preheated to 160 degrees.
7. Bake it for about 20 minutes.
8. Sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.

In foil

To make the fish juicy and flavorful, you can try baking it in foil.

Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 1 pc.
• Salt - to taste.
• Pepper - to taste.
• Basil.
• Vegetable oil.
• Lemon.
• Mix of Italian herbs.

Method:

1. Wash the fish as usual, peel from scales and gut it, cutting the belly and taking out all internal organs.
2. Rub salt and pepper into the fish, then smear it with vegetable oil.
3. Oil the foil as well.
4. Place the fish on the foil, pour the juice of half a lemon over it. Cut the other half of the lemon into slices and stuff it with the basil leaves.
5. Wrap in foil and put it in the prepared form.
6. Heat up the oven to 190-200 degrees.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Tip: To make the fish even tastier, after baking you need to sprinkle it with a bouquet of Italian herbs.

In the pan

Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 1 pc.
• Flour - 200 gr.
• Salt - to taste.
• Pepper - to taste.
• Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp.

Method:

1. Wash the fish, peel it from scales and gut it. Then rinse it again and remove excess moisture with paper towels.
2. Then rub it on both sides with pepper and salt. Leave it like that for 20-30 minutes to let it soak in.
3. Then sprinkle the fish with flour.
4. Fry it on a pan, adding vegetable oil, for 10 minutes on each side.

Another recipe for cooking fish in the pan:
Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 2 pcs.
• Lemon.
• Rosemary.
• Garlic - 4 cloves.
• Salt - to taste (you can use sea salt).
• Pepper - to taste.

Method of preparation:

1. Clean and gut the fish. Then wash it and let it dry out a little. Or you can remove excess moisture with paper towels.
2. Marinate the carcass in a good mixture of pepper and salt. To soak it well spice, leave it for 20-30 minutes.
3. Stuff the belly with garlic cloves and lemon wedges. Salt the inside of the fish.
4. Heat a pan and put the dorado on it. Many chefs recommend not using sunflower oil to fry fish.
5. Fry the carcasses until tender. The color of the meat should take on a dark golden hue. Then the fish will be ready to eat.
6. Before serving, garnish the fish with sprigs of rosemary and pour a little lemon juice over it.

In the multicooker

Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 2 pieces.
• Lemon.
• Garlic - 4 cloves.
• Mix of pepper - to taste.
• Salt - to taste.

Method:

1. Rinse the fish, clean off the scales and gut it, and then rinse again. The product should dry a little.
2. Peel the garlic and pass it through a press. If you do not have a press, you can chop it with a grater.
3. Squeeze out the juice of a lemon with a juicer.
4. Mix garlic and lemon juice in one bowl.
5. Add the spice for fish, a mixture of ground pepper and salt.
6. Stir the resulting marinade.
7. Rub the fish with this mixture and give it time to soak.
8. Then put it in a bowl of the multicooker and put it on "Bake" mode. Cook so 35 minutes. At 20 minutes turn it on the other side. At the end of 35 minutes the fish will be ready, and it can be served.

On the grill

Ingredients:

• Dorado fish - 1 pc.
• Lemon.
• Salt - to taste.
• Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp.

Method of preparation:

1. Clean and gut the fish. Then rinse it and give it time to dry off or remove the moisture with paper towels.
2. Stuff the fish with lemon slices and rub both sides with salt and pepper. Then let it sit and soak for about 20-30 minutes.
3. Then heat up the grill, put the fish on it and fry both sides for a few minutes.
4. When serving, use thinly sliced lemon slices to decorate.

On the grill

Ingredients:

• Dorado fish fillet - 500 gr.
• Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp.
• Honey.
• Lime - 1 piece.
• Salt - to taste.
• Cayenne pepper - 1/4 tsp.
• Black pepper - to taste.
• Sugar - to taste.
• Paprika - to taste.

Cooking steps:

1. Before cooking the fish, marinate it well. Add honey to the container. Then add the juice squeezed from the lime, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, ground black pepper and vegetable oil. Mix all this thoroughly.
2. Soak the fish fillets bought in the store in this marinade and leave it for 1 hour.
3. To grill fish fillets on a grill, you need a special grate, which it is recommended to oil in advance. Place the meat on it, after it has been marinated, and fry it on both sides. On each side of the sirloin spend 3-4 minutes.

Interesting facts

1. Dorado is translated from Ancient Greek as "golden". According to legend, the beautiful goddess Aphrodite gave the fish a golden spot between the eyes. And if you touch this spot with your hand, then the chosen one will respond with reciprocal feelings.
2. All fish from the moment of birth have signs of the male sex. And only 3 years later, when the fish goes through puberty, the male sex is replaced by a female. Then the individual can give offspring.

Photo of dorado fish