Red mullet is typically classified as a species of goatfish. Usually, these species are found in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, or North Atlantic Ocean.
Due to their unique red or orange color, and the specific flavor, red mullets have a long history of intriguing human beings. Their strong cultural impact is found even in the times of the Ancient Romans, who considered them to be “one of the most famous and valued fish”. Today, they are an inevitable element of delicious Mediterranean dishes.
The best time of the year to eat dishes including red mullets is from August to October, while it should be avoided from May to July, because of their spawning season.
If you are interested in learning more about this kind of fish, and the ways in which it can be prepared and consumed, please continue reading the following article. All the necessary details will be provided below.
How to eat and serve red mullet?
Red mullet has a strong flavor because it contains fat. When it comes to preparing this fish, it can be either filleted or cooked as a whole. In fact, the cooking of red mullet is simple; as long as you are careful about the duration of cooking. In other words, it is important not to overcook it.
Red mullet fillets
This dish can be prepared in a hot pan. Essentially, you should fillet it by using a knife. After this, you should put olive oil in the pan and heat it. Then comes the time to put in the filleted fish and fry it. In this way, you will get a perfectly fried fillet.
Cooking red mullet as a whole
If you enjoy eating fish as a whole, you will be more than thrilled with the flavor of red mullet cooked in this way. Generally, cooking it like this gives it a deeper flavor. One of the best things about this kind of preparation is the fact that you can prepare it using the oven or even barbecue. You will know that it is ready because the skin of the fish will become crispy and draw.
When it comes to the side-dishes, red mullet is very easy to combine, because it is going well with numerous ingredients. For example, you can combine it with oregano, rosemary, or thyme. Furthermore, tomatoes are considered to be the perfect side-dish for this type of meal. Also, another piece of advice regarding the serving of red mullet is related to the Mediterranean component of the fish, mentioned at the beginning of the article. Therefore, don’t be afraid to serve red mullet together with a glass of good wine, or ginger and garlic.
To conclude, this type of fish is very popular across cultures. Countless recipes include it as the main component of the meal because it can be prepared in different ways. Therefore, don’t hesitate to check it out.