How to Fillet a Fish

Fresh fish is an excellent addition to any diet unfortunately sometimes you have to deal with the whole fish. The thought of preparing fish for a meal tends to discourage many people from adding more fish to their meals. In reality preparing fish for grilling, broiling or however you decide to cook it is really very easy.

Before you go to the market and buy a whole fish realize that sometimes the fish are sold with the scales still on them. It is not a big deal but it can add to your frustration if you are not ready to deal with removing the scales of a fish.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fillet Knife
• Flat smooth cutting surface
• Fish
• Metal Spoon

1. 
    
   fish on newspaper

   If you bought a fish with the scales still on it simply spread newspaper over a large flat surface and place the fish on the newspaper.

2. 
    
   Descaling Fish

   Take a metal spoon scoop side down or a knife and place it on the fish and move the spoon or knife back and forth along the body of the fish. The scales of the fish will come off with little effort.

3. Now that the scales are off of the fish it is time to fillet the fish place the fish on a flat clean surface and take a fillet knife and make an incision near the tail and near the forward fin, the incisions should go to the bone of the fish.

4. 
    
   Use the tail as a handle

   Once the incisions have been made place the fillet knife in the tail incision and turn it horizontally into the meat while making a sawing motion. Allow the side of the fillet blade to ride the spine of the fish as you cut the flesh toward the head.

5. After you have arrived at the fin incision turn the fish over and repeat the process on the other side.

6. 
    
   Fish Fillets

   Place the fillets under running water and rub them to expel any bones that may have remained in the flesh. Now your fillets are clean and ready to be cooked.

Tips & Warnings

• You may use a towel or gloves to prevent your hands from smelling like fish.
• Rub the fillets with lemon juice to remove the fish odor from your hands and the fillets.
• When cooking your fillets try not to turn them too many times, they will break apart.
• Fillet knifes are very sharp so be careful
• Always cut away from yourself

[BCPASSIONS]

on 2/16/2009 Great tips! Thank you.