The Best Herbs & Spices For Seasoning Fish

They say that baking is a science, but cooking is an art. Baking involves loads of measurements to get a mix of perfect proportions, while cooking is instinctive, refined choices with skills honed by countless attempts, each better than the next.

If cooking is an art, then spices are the paints, and fish is the canvas. And what better canvas than one that is already near-perfect?

Fish is delicious, healthy, and an excellent source of lean protein. While eating fish on its own is already pleasurable, spices are key to cooking fish. Seasoning with spices might be intimidating at first, but with some guidance and practice, you’ll be using herbs and spices for fish like a pro in no time!

We’ve created a handy guide to using herbs and spices for cooking fish. With some practice and experimentation, the world will be your oyster!

1. Basil

Lemon and basil are a match made in heaven! The citrusy, crisp lemon and sweet, subtle flavour of basil pair well for all types of fish, but is especially tasty with white fish like cod or rockfish.

Use freshly-squeezed lemon juice and basil chopped finely onto a pan-seared gorgeous white fillet of fish with some butter for a delicious, healthy meal.

2. Parsley

Parsley is a perfect addition to pan-fried fish, with a slightly bitter aroma that can balance savoury dishes. You can put chopped parsley on everything! Don’t chop it too fine though, as larger pieces are more aesthetically appealing as a garnish and have more flavour.

3. Dill

Freshly harvested dill has a mild, sweet taste that will complement a subtly-flavoured fish. Try including some chopped dill into butter and melt it over a baked or pan-fried fish fillet for a tasty meal.

As with most recipes, a small amount of lemon can be used for that extra tanginess.

4. Lemongrass

Fried fish with lemongrass is one of the most popular Thai dishes!

Using lemongrass will suit fried or steamed whole fish best. Get a snapper or sea bream, marinate it with lemongrass and other ingredients of your choice then lightly fry it until it turns a beautiful golden-brown with a crispy skin.

5. Rosemary 

Rosemary has a strong, pine flavour that can overpower a dish. It is a small, evergreen herb from the mint family. You can use rosemary on stronger-tasting fish cuts like salmon or tuna.

Rosemary has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Use sparingly for best results.

6. Thyme

Thyme is a good substitute for rosemary and has a slightly less overpowering taste. Still, use thyme lightly; the more it cooks, the more intense the flavours get.

Grill a whole fish and add some lemon for a delicious and healthy meal.

7. Sage

With a pronounced herbal flavour, sage is slightly peppery, earthy, with hints of lemon and mint. It can also overpower, and cooking sage increases the intensity.

Pan-fried halibut or cod with sage, butter, and garlic is absolutely delicious!

8. Smoked Paprika

Smoked paprika has a spicy, earthy taste, coming from smoking chili peppers over oak. Pair smoked paprika with parmesan cheese and cook with a thick, firm fish like snapper or halibut.

Reel in Fresh Fish from Greenwood Fish Market & Get Cooking!

With countless recipes available online, you’ll soon be seasoning and cooking your fish like a bass! Now that you’ve got the hang of seasoning fish, you might want to check out our guides on choosing the right fish for your dish and cooking restaurant-quality seafood at home.

Time to head to Greenwood Fish Market — your friendly neighbourhood fish supplier in Singapore and get that perfect cut of fillet or fresh whole fish. Too lazy to head out? Order fresh fish online with delivery nationwide to all areas of Singapore at our online store or NTUC.

Not in the mood to cook at home? We got your back. Visit us at one of our restaurants in Singapore and let us serve you a mouthwatering fishy meal!

5 Health Benefits of Prawns You Never Knew Of

Indulging in grilled, steamed, or drunken prawns has got to be one of the best ways to enjoy fresh seafood in Singapore. Considered one of the healthiest foods in the world, prawns are an excellent source of complete protein, meaning it includes all nine amino acids necessary for the body to maintain health and function.

Way lower in calories than chicken or beef, prawns deliver the same amount of protein as red meat or poultry.

Medical professionals and nutritionists often recommend eating crustaceans and shellfish as part of a healthy diet. Here are 5 lesser-known health benefits of prawns that make them shrimply the best!

1. Helps With Weight Loss

Prawns are loaded with protein yet low in saturated fat. Similar to chicken and beef, 100 grams of prawns contain about 25 grams of protein. However, 100 grams of prawn only has 115 calories, compared to about double that for chicken and triple that for beef.

Prawns also contain high levels of zinc, an essential mineral in maintaining a healthy immune system. Zinc is directly associated with leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and fat storage. To add the cherry on top, prawns have high levels of iodine, a mineral that controls thyroid hormones and boosts metabolism. All in all, if you’re trying to lose weight, prawns are a great addition to your diet.

2. A Rich Source of Vitamins & Minerals

These little crustaceans are jam-packed with essential vitamins and minerals. 100 grams of prawns contain:

• 11% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) for calcium
• About 15% RDI for iron
• 33% RDI for phosphorus
• 9% RDI for potassium
• About 20% RDI for zinc
• About 25% RDI for selenium

The high levels of vitamin B6, B12 and niacin all work together to help increase energy, put on lean muscle and replenish red blood cells.

3. Builds Strong Muscles & Bones

The generous amount of selenium found in prawns will improve bone strength and durability. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens teeth, hair and nails, all while fighting free radicals in the body.

Other minerals like calcium, zinc, and phosphorus contribute to building and maintaining strong bones.

In addition, protein is a vital mineral in building muscle with amino acids helping to repair and maintain muscle tissue. A single serving of 100 grams of prawns will deliver about half the recommended daily protein intake. So, if you’re aiming for a toned, muscular body, swapping out protein shakes and chicken breast for prawns once in a while will do you good!

4. Promotes Heart Health

Prawns contain high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids, a well-known nutrient long credited with lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attacks and contributing to a healthy cardiovascular system.

They are also an excellent energy source and keep the organs, blood vessels and immune system functioning.

5. Potentially Prevents Cancer

We get free radicals from certain sources like industrial chemicals, cigarette smoke, alcohol, and air pollutants. They are almost impossible to avoid, and stay in our bodies. Rich in powerful antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E, prawns can help protect cells from damage and stave off serious diseases. Selenium is also believed to prevent tumour growth and strengthen the immune system.

Get Your Fill of Delicious Prawns at Greenwood Fish Market

Heading to your nearest seafood market in Singapore? Save yourself a trip and order fresh prawns online at Greenwood Fish Market or NTUC!

From Tiger and Jumbo Prawns to Wild Australian King Prawns, there is no better way to get your protein fix and enjoy the wondrous benefits of prawns from our selection of fresh seafood in Singapore!

Skip the trip to the seafood market and buy fresh prawns online and enjoy these delicious, healthy crustaceans in the comfort of your own home!

How to Make a Fancy Sashimi Platter at Home

Ah, sashimi!

Literally translated to “pierced fish” in Japanese, sashimi was considered an expensive, exotic Japanese delicacy served only at the best hotels and restaurants in major cities around the world. A beautiful, colourful platter of thinly sliced raw fish and seafood, sashimi is considered an art in Japan, with only the top chefs that train for years allowed to prepare it.

Since the 1990s, the Japanese food culture in Singapore experienced a remarkable boom. We love our Japanese food, which is evident from over a hundred Japanese restaurants scattered all over the nation.

While bonding with friends and family over a sashimi platter in a restaurant is an excellent activity, making your own sashimi platter at home in Singapore or ordering fresh sashimi delivery could be more fun than you think! You have the freedom to pick and choose the ingredients which best cater to your tastes and that of your guests. Here’s our handy guide on enjoying a DIY sashimi platter in the comfort of home!

Step 1: Choose Your Sashimi Fish

When most people think of sashimi, salmon is probably the first thing that comes to mind. This classic sashimi fish may be one of the most renowned, but as the saying goes, there are plenty more fish in the sea! You have a wealth of seafood options that are well-suited to fillet into thin slices and dunk into soy sauce and wasabi. Some other popular seafood choices for a sashimi platter include:

• Tuna (maguro)
• Mackerel (shime saba)
• Herring (nishin)
• Snapper (tai)
• Halibut (engawa)
• Yellowtail (kanpachi)
• Swordfish (mekajiki)
• Octopus (tako)
• Shrimp (ebi)
• Squid (ika)
• Scallops (hotate)

It is crucial to pick only the freshest fish based on colour, texture, and smell when making sashimi. You will be eating it raw, after all!

Tips on Selecting Sashimi-Grade Fish in Singapore

1. The flesh should be firm, never mushy or slimy, with no visible droplets. Poke the fish gently with your finger, and it should bounce back immediately and not remain depressed.
2. The skin should be shiny and not dull. Any scales present should be tight against the body without flaking.
3. If you are buying sashimi in Singapore at the supermarket, opt for fresh and not frozen. If frozen, check the date on the package for when it was harvested.
4. If ordering fresh sashimi online, be wary and only buy from reputable sellers with good reviews.
5. If buying fillets, check the colour and make sure there is no discolouration and that the fillet looks fresh and healthy.
6. Smell the fish. Fish should smell fishy (duh!) but not overpowering. An overpowering smell might mean the fish is no longer fresh.

Step 2: Prepare Your Sashimi

The vital instrument you’ll need is a razor-blade sharp cutting knife at least 7 inches long. Try to cut the pieces in one smooth motion and avoid any “sawing” motions.

The fillet should be sliced perpendicular to the direction of the spine — meaning, cut the flesh across the grain. If you cut the flesh in the same direction as the grain, the sashimi could be stringy.

After you have your fillets, preserve their freshness by placing them on a layer of ice and storing them in the fridge if not going to be immediately consumed.

Switch things up a little and flame-sear the fillets (aburi), or add spicy mayo, mentaiko, or cheese!

Step 3: Serve & Enjoy!

Raid your kitchen cabinet and bust out the fanciest plates and chopsticks you have. You can even pick up some fresh shiso leaves as dividers and decorations!

Sashimi can be served on ice with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. Other easy add-ons are a few sheets of seaweed (nori), pickled wakame, and some Japanese white rice (uruchimai).

Shop Sashimi Online or Visit Greenwood Fish Market Today

On the hunt for where to buy sashimi-grade fish in Singapore?

Order fresh sashimi delivery nationwide in Singapore from none other than Greenwood Fish Market, your friendly neighbourhood grocer. Our extensive range of seafood comes sliced in ready-to-eat portions, while our collection of sashimi-grade fish are waiting to make your sashimi party a resounding success. Visit our online store and get fresh sashimi delivered now to your doorstep in Singapore!

Alternatively, take the guesswork out of sashimi preparation by dropping by our restaurants for a tantalising sashimi dining experience.