Catfish: description, species, useful properties, recipes for cooking

Catfish is considered one of the largest fish living in fresh water. Its mass can reach more than 300 kg, but this is a rare exception. Not everyone will be able to catch such an individual, because the fishing line will not withstand such stress. But small catfish are easy enough to catch, and cooking them is even easier. In addition, this fish has a dozen useful vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to human health - and more about that further in the article.

What a catfish looks like and where it is found

This is a fairly large fish with a large head, on each side of which is one thick whisker. There are also several small ones growing on the chin. But they play an important role in the catfish's life - thanks to them it finds food even in the dark time of day.

This fish species has an elongated, slimy body. Scales are almost absent. The tail has a rounded shape. Another characteristic feature of catfish is the absence of fat fins and sharp needles on the fins.

The average age of this species of fish is 25-30 years, but sometimes there were cases where catfish lived more than 50 years. The color is mostly dark gray.

The habitat of the catfish is the fresh waters of the European part of Russia and Europe.

Species

1. Soldatova catfish. This species is considered endangered and is included in the Red Book. It can reach more than 2 m in length, the average weight - 80 kg. Soldatova catfish is almost no different from the European appearance and way of life. Only on the sides it is not gray (a typical color for catfish), but light brown. The belly is completely white. Its habitat is the Amur River and Lake Khanka.
2. Amur (Far Eastern) catfish. This catfish differs from the previous one in size and weight. It reaches only 1 m in length, and its average weight is only 6-8 kg. The body has a swampy color and the belly is colored white. Very often this catfish is found in the waters of Japan, China and Korea.
3. Channel catfish. Dimensions in length reach 50-130 cm. Body weight varies from 4 to 9 kg. Catfish is characterized by its blue coloration with an olive shade. Its habitat is North America, where it is cultivated for industrial purposes.
4. African catfish. This species of catfish has one very important and characteristic feature that distinguishes them from all other brethren. They have an organ, which is a prototype of a lung, which allows the fish to live on land for 15 hours. The appearance is no different from that of an ordinary catfish, only the body is slightly flattened on the sides. Its habitat is the Jordan River, the waters of Southeast Asia.

What is the difference between catfish and burbot

The burbot - is a fish that lives in the fresh waters of Siberia, Europe, and North America. Unlike catfish, the individual has a pale green or olive color, sometimes there are brown species. They also go to spawn during the winter, when catfish are completely inactive.

For catfish breeding is characterized in March and April, and they must have a permanent nesting place, where the female will lay eggs, and the male representative - to guard. The burbot, on the other hand, does not have the trait of looking for a permanent place to lay her offspring.

While burbot prefer cold waters, catfish prefer warmer waters.

Composition and calories

Catfish has very tasty and tender meat, they have almost no bones, which makes cooking much easier. The chemical composition of this fish includes a number of useful elements: vitamins A, B, E, PP and C, as well as elements such as phosphorus, iodine, manganese, cobalt, calcium. That is, catfish contains almost the entire Mendeleev's table, so it should be present in the diet of every person. This is a real treasure trove for maintaining health, improving the work of the digestive, cardiovascular systems and so on.

The caloric value of catfish differs from the type of its preparation. For example, in its boiled form the fish contains 196 kilocalories, but in dried form - 115. If catfish is baked in the oven, its caloric value will be about 113 kilocalories, steamed - 127, stewed - 118. This product has no carbohydrates, which makes it dietary. But it has 17.2 g of protein and 5.1 g of fat per 100 grams. Based on the above information, we can conclude that the nutritional value of catfish is very high. It is best to use this fish dried, stewed, steamed or baked. Then it retains as much nutrients as possible, respectively, and the benefits from it will be much more.

Useful properties of catfish

General Benefits

As already mentioned, catfish contains a large number of different vitamins and minerals, which makes it a useful product.

1. First, the chemical elements it contains have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Therefore, catfish is a natural antidepressant that can be consumed during breakdowns to calm down.
2. Thanks to B vitamins improves cellular metabolism, improves the cardiovascular system. They are also involved in the synthesis of DNA cells. In addition, these substances are responsible for maintaining the body's tone and energy.
3. Eating catfish helps to fight viral diseases and improve health by restoring immune cells, as it contains vitamin C.
4. People with diabetes are also advised to eat catfish meat to normalize blood sugar levels.
5. Since this type of fish contains calcium, it naturally improves the condition of the bones and makes them stronger.
6. The phosphorus contained in catfish is responsible for the normal condition of the mouth, as well as for maintaining mental and muscular activity.
7. Useful elements also affect the condition of the hair. They become smooth and silky. Nails are strengthened, thereby reducing the risk of flaking, microcracks and so on.
8. Catfish meat is a preventive agent against stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis and other serious diseases.

For women

The chemical composition of catfish includes vitamin E, which is beneficial for women's health. It is responsible for beauty, health, youth, and most importantly, fertility. In addition, such a useful element as tocopherol, which is the basis of vitamin E, is a powerful antioxidant, which can be used to remove unwanted toxins from the body, which will contribute to a much faster weight loss. This affects the condition of the skin, which is rejuvenated, cells regenerate faster, the face gets a natural glow and a healthy look. It is also responsible for preventing the appearance of age wrinkles. Many gynecologists call it a "breeding vitamin", because it helps to activate the sexual drive and the proper functioning of the sexual system.

Those women who have an unstable menstrual cycle are recommended to eat catfish to normalize it. It helps to produce the female hormone - estrogen.

For men

For men, vitamin E, which was mentioned above, is also useful. It actively works on the production of seminal fluid. In addition to this, it is impossible not to mention the high content of zinc. This vitamin is a necessary component of maintaining male health. It increases the amount of testosterone in the body and eliminates estrogen, which begins to be actively produced with age. Zinc also affects sperm production, which improves fertility.

In Pregnancy.

A lack of vitamin E, which is found in catfish, can lead to miscarriage. It also has nicotinic acid, which is responsible for maintaining a normal fetus. It is especially recommended for those expectant mothers who are expecting twins or triplets.

Doctors prescribe nicotinic acid for normal placental function. Its deficiency leads to nervous disorders, depression in pregnant women, disorders of the urinary system.

When breastfeeding

During the lactation period, you need to be careful about the foods in your diet, and that includes catfish. But this does not mean that it should not be consumed at all. It has a lot of useful enzymes that the baby will absorb through the mother's milk. It is best to eat fish in a boiled form.

For children

Including catfish in a child's diet improves bone strength, increases the development of brain activity. Naturally, when it comes to young children who are 1 or 2 years old, you need to introduce a new product very carefully and in small portions. Catfish meat is too fatty for the baby, which can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

When losing weight

It has already been mentioned above that catfish is a dietary product. It has absolutely no carbohydrates. In addition, the high content of B vitamins improves metabolism, so the digestive organs better cope with their functions, removed toxins, carcinogens, poisoning the body from within, which contributes to effective and rapid weight loss.

For diabetes.

Catfish meat will be a preventive measure during diabetes. The components that are present in it help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Only it is not necessary to eat it in a fried form, as people suffering from diabetes are not recommended to eat fatty food cooked with oil. It is better to stop at such types of cooking as stewing or baking, which will be much healthier and not so caloric.

Catfish liver: benefits and harms

Catfish liver includes a large amount of fish oil, which is excellent for human health. It affects the strengthening of bone tissue and improves the function of the digestive organs. In addition, fish oil helps to improve memory and brain activity. There are no contraindications to use, except in cases where a person has an allergy to this product. But it is worth noting the specific taste of the liver, so not everyone will like it.

Is smoked catfish useful?

Smoked catfish preserves all the vitamins and minerals. But there is still one disadvantage - smoked fish requires a lot of salt. And it causes swelling, problems with urination, increases the pressure in the human body, so pregnant women, people with kidney disease, the elderly are not recommended to eat smoked catfish.

What is the usefulness of catfish caviar

There are a lot of omega-3 acids in caviar, which have a positive effect on the body. They improve the functioning of the endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular systems. But it is much more popular in cosmetology. Rejuvenating masks, creams, serums - all these are made from catfish caviar, since the main function of the polyunsaturated fatty acids is to regenerate the skin. But here we should keep in mind that canned caviar should not be used for these purposes, as it will do more harm than good, but only fresh.

Harm and contraindications

Catfish should not be used by those who have an individual intolerance, various kinds of allergies to seafood. But in all other cases, this product should be in the diet of each person in a normal amount - at least once a week. Overeating threatens cholesterol and kidney problems.

How to choose and store

It is important to understand the basic rules of choice, because on the shelves of stores, markets can pass off stale fish as freshly caught.

There are several factors to be taken into consideration:

1. Healthy and fresh fish has bright red gills.
2. The eyes must be crystal clear. If the fish has expired, the pupils will be cloudy.
3. Fresh fish smells delicious. Old product will have a characteristic unpleasant smell.

Choosing fish is a very sensitive matter that requires some knowledge. About the factors that tell about the freshness of the product, written above. You should pay attention to the color of the gills (it should be bright red), the state of the eyes and the characteristic odor.

Storage does not require any specific rules, but it is recommended to either cook the catfish immediately, or throw it in the freezer, where it can safely lie about 4 months.

How to clean a catfish correctly

This fish needs a certain approach. But of course the absence of scales makes the cleaning process much easier.

Before you start gutting the carcass, you need to make sure that you are safe. It is necessary to pay attention to the near gill fins, which have quite sharp spines. They can easily injure the cook, so you should immediately cut them off carefully with a knife or scissors.

Then the carcass should be well washed to rid it of excess and unpleasant mucus. This should be done exactly until the skin is completely light and clean. A knife or hard sponge can help in scraping off the mucus. Some people are afraid to damage the catfish skin, but do not worry, because it is very strong.

When camping, while fishing, you can get rid of the mucus from the catfish with the help of ash.

Gutting
When the fish is prepared, you can begin to gut the carcass. Turning the catfish on its back and making a small puncture on its head, you need to cut its belly. Then carefully remove the skin without damaging the internal organs. One should remember that if the gallbladder is torn, its content will spill out onto the meat and noticeably spoil the taste of the product.

All these actions are followed by the stage of extracting internal organs. Then you need to cut the gills and take them out afterwards. Next, remove the inner membranes. If the catfish has caviar, it is necessary to take it out.

After that comes the stage of filleting and skinning. The skin should be removed when the carcass is still whole. By hanging the fish by the gills, one can make the task much easier. One should make a cut near the head and along the whole fish spine. Then you should pull the skin toward you and carefully take it off so that the meat does not come off with it.

Once the skin is done, you can separate the fillets from the backbone. The only bones in catfish are the ribs. It is enough to remove them, and you get the cleanest meat. It is necessary to make an incision along the vertebral bone, then deepen in the area of the ribs. Cut the fillets from the tail and repeat the same with the other side.

How to cook catfish deliciously: recipes

In the oven

Baking fish is considered to be one of the most useful types of cooking, because it then becomes non-caloric and retains all the elements. Thanks to this, the meat becomes juicy and tender. The recipe of cooking itself is very simple.

Recipe 1
Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 pc.
• Lemon - 1 pc.
• Sunflower oil.
• Spices to taste (sea salt, pepper, rosemary, paprika).

Process:

1. Before cooking, clean and gut the fish.
2. Then make shallow cuts all along the length of the catfish.
3. Squeeze the juice from a lemon with a juicer and rub the carcass with it, without leaving out the incision area.
4. Then marinate the fish in spices, using salt, pepper, spices, paprika and rosemary. Rub them well, and then give the catfish time to soak - about 30 minutes.
5. During this time, while the catfish is soaked in lemon juice and spices, prepare the oven. Cover a tray with foil and grease it with vegetable oil. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
6. After a while, place the fish on a baking tray and send it to bake. After 45 minutes the catfish will be ready.

Serve it with sprigs of rosemary and lemon slices.

Recipe № 2
Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 piece.
• Potatoes - 1 kg.
• Onions - 3 pcs.
• Carrots - 1 pc.
• Half a lemon.
• Egg - 1 pc.
• Cheese - 250 gr.
• Spices - to taste.
• Sunflower oil - 2 tbsp.
• Greens.
• Mayonnaise - 6 tbsp.

Preparation process:

1. Clean and gut the carcass. Cut it into pieces and sprinkle with lemon juice.
2. Then marinade the filet in selected spices. You can use salt, black pepper, bay leaf, rosemary.
3. Leave the fish to soak for a while. Then the meat will be very tender and delicious. Meanwhile prepare the vegetable mixture for the dish. Cut 3 potatoes into thin slices, sprinkle with mayonnaise and set aside. Cut the remaining potatoes, carrots, onions into slices. Marinate them in mayonnaise, spices (experienced cooks with experience advise using coriander).
4. Fill the vegetable mixture with vegetable oil and mix thoroughly.
5. Finely chop the greens, grate the cheese and leave aside. At this stage of cooking it is not needed.
6. For the dressing, crack an egg, add mayonnaise and pour a little water.
7. Grease a deep baking dish with vegetable oil. Then lay out the vegetable mixture, and then the marinated fillets. For beauty add greenery on top.
8. Next, lay the potato slices, wetting them with egg and mayonnaise sauce.
9. After that, send the fish in a preheated to 180 degrees oven. After 35-40 minutes take out the dish and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Then put it back in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

After 5-7 minutes, the dish will be ready.

In a pan

The most delicious way to cook catfish in the pan is a recipe for frying fish in batter. The meat turns out delicious, with a crispy crust.

Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 pc.
• Half a lemon.
• Sour cream - 1 tbsp.
• Mayonnaise - 2 tbsp.
• Egg - 1 pc.
• Flour - 2-3 tbsp.
• Salt.
• Vegetable oil.
• Greens (parsley, dill).

Cooking process:

1. Before proceeding to the cooking process itself, prepare the fish. Clean, gut, get rid of the skin.
2. To remove the river smell, leave the fish for a few minutes in lemon juice.
3. During this time, prepare the batter. Mix sour cream with mayonnaise, then add the beaten egg. The resulting mixture should be thoroughly beaten and add salt to taste.
4. Next comes the turn of flour. Before adding it to the mayonnaise and egg mixture, sift it through a sieve. For the batter to be viscous, the flour should be added gradually and mixed thoroughly.
5. Cut the fish fillets into oblong pieces. Rub them with salt, and then dip each sirloin into the batter.
6. Place them on a preheated frying pan. The fish should not drown in the sunflower oil, but do not spare it either.
7. Fry the pieces of fish on each side, put them on a nice plate, add in the middle of some delicious sauce, sprinkle with herbs and serve the delicious dish.

On a chargrill

The most important thing in cooking catfish on the grill is to make a delicious marinade.

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice - 150 g.
• Pomegranate juice - 150 gr.
• Grape juice - 150 gr.
• Sour cream - 2 tbsp.
• Onions - 4 woks.
• Garlic - 4 cloves.
• Greens (dill, coriander, parsley) - 1 bunch.
• Bay leaf - 3 pieces.
• Spices - to taste.

Preparation process:

1. Mix the lemon, pomegranate and grape juices.
2. Then add sour cream.
3. Finely chop greens and add them to the mixture.
4. Next, chop the onions into large slices and add to the marinade.
5. Add spices to taste, grated garlic and bay leaf.
6. Keep pieces of fillet in the resulting marinade 1-2 hours, so that the meat was soaked, was juicy and tender.

In the multicooker

Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 pc.
• Tomatoes - 3 units.
• Sweet bell pepper - 2 units.
• Carrot - 1 pc.
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Greens - 1 bunch
• Spicy adjika.

Cooking process:

1. Prepare the catfish carcass: clean the mucus and gut it.
2. Cut the catfish into small oblong pieces.
3. Dice all the vegetables.
4. In a multicooker, which bottom is greased with sunflower oil, put the fish, then vegetables. Sprinkle some adjika on top of the vegetables.
5. Select the mode "Stew" and leave to simmer for 1 hour. Then once the time is up set the "Bake" mode and wait for 15-20 minutes.

Fish is ready, you can serve it.

What can be cooked from catfish: recipes

Cutlets

Fish cutlets are a favorite delicacy of so many people. You have to try at least once in your life delicious cutlets of tender catfish meat.

Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 pc.
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Garlic - 2-3 cloves.
• Baton - 3 slices.
• Egg - 1 pc.
• Butter - 50 gr.
• Flour - 3-4 tbsp.
• Vegetable oil - 3 tbsp.
• Spices - to taste (salt, pepper).

Preparation process:

1. Separate the fillet from the vertebral part, to then chop it in a blender or meat grinder.
2. Soaked loaf add to the resulting minced meat, beat an egg there. Sprinkle spices on top. All thoroughly mix.
3. On a heated frying pan put the future cutlets, previously coated in flour.
4. Fry each side for 5-10 minutes.

The result will be delicious, tender fish cutlets.

Uha

Fish soup is not only healthy, but also a dietary product, so it will suit all those people who are trying to watch their weight.

Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 pc.
• Potatoes - 5 gr.
• Carrot - 1 pc.
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Bay-leaf - 1-2 pcs.
• Spices - to taste.
• Greens.

Preparation process:

1. Prepare the fish: clean and gut it.
2. Chop the head into several pieces and cut the body into small pieces.
3. Rinse the head and backbone thoroughly before sending it into the water. Boil like this for half an hour, and then pour in the finely chopped pieces of fillet, add the bay leaf and spices.
4. In the next step of cooking, proceed to the vegetables. Chop potatoes in slices, grate carrots and finely chop onions.
5. Vegetables, except potatoes, send to a preheated frying pan and make a stir-fry. Once the onions and carrots have taken on a golden hue, remove them from the stove.
6. While roasting is cooking, add sliced potatoes to the ukha. By the way, from the start of cooking fish soup and the moment of adding potatoes should take at least 40 minutes.
7. Wait another 15 minutes, until the potatoes are boiled, and then add the fried onions and carrots.
8. After 5-8 minutes, turn off the heat.

Magnificent catfish soup is ready.

Roll

Ingredients:

• Catfish - 1 pc.
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Marinaded mushrooms - 50 gr.
• Boiled eggs - 3-4 pcs.
• Pickled cucumbers - 4-5 pcs.
• Sour cream - 2-3 tbsp.
• Wine vinegar - 1 tsp.
• Sunflower oil - 1 tbsp.
• Bay leaf - 1 pc.
• Parsley - 1 bunch.
• Sugar - to taste.
• Salt - to taste.
• Pepper - to taste.

Preparation process:

1. Peel and gut the fish, rinse and cut the sirloin into 2 pieces.
2. Cut 2 boiled eggs into small cubes, chop parsley. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
3. Put the mixture on one half of the fish fillet, roll up and tie it so that it forms a small roll. Do the same with the second half.
4. At this time, while the vegetable mixture and rolls are being made, put a pot of water on the stove and let it boil. Already in the boiling water add spices, bay leaf, then fish and cook until fully cooked.
5. While the catfish is boiling, you can do the sauce. Grate the yolks of 2 other eggs, turning them into a pulp, add vegetable oil, mustard, vinegar, spices, sugar, sour cream, pickles and mushrooms. Mix everything well.
6. Ready roll cut into slices and serve with sauce.

Shish kebab

Ingredients:

• Catfish - 2-3 pcs.
• Onions - 3-4 units.
• Vegetable oil - 6 tbsp.
• Sea salt - to taste.
• Sour cream - 3 tbsp.
• Spices - to taste.

Preparation process:

1. Prepare the catfish: clean, gut and separate the carcass from the backbone.
2. Wash the fillet and remove excess moisture with paper towels.
3. Cut the catfish into large enough pieces.
4. Then start the marinade. Mix lemon juice, sour cream, salt, seasonings and vegetable oil. Mix the mixture well.
5. Pieces of fish fillets soak in marinade and leave so for a couple of hours.
6. After the fish has soaked, it can be fried. A lattice is a good choice for this. It is recommended to roast on medium embers. Catfish should get a golden hue on both sides. Then it will be ready.

Interesting facts

1. Catfish can live more than 50 years. Ichthyologists found individuals whose age reached 75 years.
2. The catfish hunts only at night. In this he is helped by the whiskers, which are located on his chin.
3. When the catfish hunts, it lures the victims with its whiskers. In this way, he imitates the worms that small fish eat.

Catfish photo