A Cheaper alternative for delicious fish recipes!

I like to eat fish. I like my fish to be prepared in a variety of ways but I especially like escoveitched fish. There is just something special about the crunchy, crispy and salty taste that keeps me coming back for more!

Unfortunately my desire for fish is not often appeased as I have a strict budget that can not withstand the heavy blow that buying fish on a regular basis would incur.

Expensive Fish Meals

Unless you are purchasing bland fish patties in a fast food restaurant then it is very likely that you will spend up to $2000.00 or more on any seafood dish. Of course lobster and shrimp tend to attract higher prices but purchasing whole fish is still an expensive choice.

I recently went to a seafood restaurant in Kingston where the menu featured whole fish done in a variety of ways for $1500.00. The fish was tasty, but as I contemplated the bill of over $4000.00 for two persons which included sides and drinks, I wondered if it was worth the cost.

Eating out is always more expensive than preparing your own food at home. However purchasing raw fish can also carry a hefty price tag.

Cheaper alternatives

I recently heard in the news that fish back is now being sold as a cheaper option for consumers.

What is fish back?

Well fish back includes the left overs after the meaty sections of the fish have been removed. All that is left are a few bones and small portions of meat clinging to the bone and skin.

Fish back is currently available at several wholesale and retail outlets, including Rainforest Seafood and Wholesale Seafood stores across the Island.

One outlet in the corporate area charges $39 for a pound of fish back.

Is this a feasible option for your fish dishes? Well, I would think that if you are making a fish soup or a fish stew with vegetables then you could replace expensive cuts of fish with fish back. It would not compromise the quality of the meal as the skin and small portions of meat would add to the flavour of the dish.

Would you try this cheaper option? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: fish recipes