Stock is the thin liquid created by simmering raw ingredients with fish bones. Fish stock is the basis of various dishes such as fish soups and sauces. In the West, fish stock is basically made with fish heads, fish bones and finely chopped mirepoix. Food stock should be cooked for at least 20 to 25 minutes (cooking for longer spoils flavor). The concentrated fish stock is known as fish fumet. In Japan, fish and kelp stock known as dashi is made by cooking skipjack tuna flakes known as katsuobushi in boiling water. Other Japanese fish stock is made from fish that is fried or boiled for several hours forming a white milky broth. It provides a rich and sweet umami taste.
Culinary uses
- Fish stock is used as a basis for various dishes such as sauces and soups.
- Fish stock is used in making fish consommé, a clear soup.
- It is used to form poaching liquid, broth.
How to Make Fish Stock
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 or 4 whole carcasses (including heads of non-oily fish like turbot, sole, rockfish or snapper)
- 2 onions (coarsely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh or dried thyme
- 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
- Fresh or dried parsley
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 quarts cold filtered water
- 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- In a large stainless steel pot, melt butter and sauté vegetables. Add white wine and boil.
- Then add fish carcasses (head and body) by covering with water. Bring it to a boil by adding vinegar. Skim off the scum of top part. Then add thyme and parsley to the pot.
- Lower the heat by covering and let it simmer for about four hours.
- Store the liquid in print sized jars or containers after being strained. Store it in freezer and fridge.
Health Benefits of Fish stock
Nutrients available in broth assist number of health issues such as digestive issues, arthritis, skin and coat health. Broth is like a natural and liquid form of multivitamin offering various health benefits:
- Prevent hypotiroidism
Hypothyroidism, a condition in which thyroid gland is not able to produce adequate thyroid hormones. One feels frequent mood swing, easily tired and weight gain. To know about the treatment, patient should get hormone replacement. Fish stock plays a vital role in treating hypothyroidism. Fish bone has iodine that assists body in releasing hormones that include thyroid hormones. Women found it to be beneficial as it prevents hypothyroidism.
- Prevents thyroid cancer
Fish bone stock has rich amount of iodine. Besides hypothyroidism, iodine is also effective in treating thyroid cancer. Recent analysis conducted on 2000 cases shows that high intake of iodine combat thyroid cancer.
- Increase IQ
It is known that iodine is available in healthy salt. Use of salt improves intelligence. But literally iodine found in salt is mostly the added iodine not natural iodine. Iodine found in fish bone is the natural source of iodine. Iodine intake from fish bone stock improves IQ level.
- Better memory
Fish bone stock serves as a perfect food to maintain brain health. Fat, vitamins and minerals found in soup assist effective functioning of brain. Fish bone slows down decline of cognition and enhances memory.
- Muscle contraction
The best part of any bone soup is the calcium. Calcium is essential for the body functions. One of these, calcium is good to helps muscle contraction. Muscle contraction is the activation of tension generating sites within the muscle. People commonly do some work out to improve the muscle contraction and further for the body building. On the other hand, the bone soup can have a hand in improve the muscle contraction.
- Help blood clotting
Fish bone stock is asked for clotting blood clotting or coagulation factor. Sufficient intake of calcium supports coagulation which is crucial for human body. It also prevention blood loss whenever experience severe injury.
- Release hormones & enzymes
Besides being beneficial for blood and muscle, calcium is demanded for enzymes and hormones. It stimulates production of hormones and enzymes within the body. It assists in releasing hormones or enzymes to act according to its own function.
- Prevention bones diseases
Calcium is must for strengthening bones. Fish bone stock contains ample amounts of gelatin or collagen which is must for joints and bones. Additionally, it prevents bone associated diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. A bowl of this delicious soup serves as a powerful bone supplement.
- Reduces bad cholesterol
Fish bone soup has low bad cholesterol. It has good cholesterol that helps to lower bad cholesterol in the blood.
- Nutrition for vegetarian
Vegetarian people do not consume products from poultry and beef. Yet, they could obtain potential nutrition from fish bone stock.
- Post workout drink replacement
High protein drink is required after workout session in order to recover muscle from soreness. Usually people take milk as a work out drink but one could also take bowl of fish bone stock.
References:
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/traditional-fish-stock-105267
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_stock_(food)
https://www.primaledgehealth.com/how-and-why-to-make-fish-stock/
https://www.thepetbeastro.com/blogs/bits-bites-natural-pet-health-blog/the-benefit-of-fish-stock/
https://drhealthbenefits.com/food-bevarages/processed-food/health-benefits-fish-bone-soup