Just as you might use your slow cooker to create meals made up of beef, pork or chicken you can also use it to cook fish. Fish takes a lot less time to cook than these other meats still you can use your crockpot to prepare delightful fish meals. In fact by using a slow cooker it is possible to keep the oh so distinctive flavor of your fish and keep in all the moisture as the heat is held low in the slow cooking process.
Fish can be used in casserole, stew, soup and pasta recipes. It's also practical to poach or steam your fish in the crockpot by adding to the pot, covering with water, stock or wine and flavoring with your preferred herbs and spices. Add spice to your fish dishes with parsley or bay leaves for a distinctive and delightful flavor. It could take about forty five minutes to poach the fish based on the kind of fish and its thickness so don't let it sit for too much time. Braising is good when cooking flat fish and you can retain its flavor by rolling up before adding to the slow cooker.
Using your crockpot to cook shellfish
Shellfish does not mix well with long cooking times, so if you want to add some to a stew or soup recipe, include it near the end of the cooking time so it can warm through. Shrimp could be included in crockpot chowders, soups or stews. Either add them in their shells or de-shelled. Gumbo and jambalaya are slow cooker recipes and you can add some tasty shrimp to these, whether you make them on the stove or slow cook them. Clams and mussels are good for making stews, especially when you use a tomato or white wine based sauce.
Slow Cooking Times for Fish
Some meat dishes, particularly when you're using tough cuts, may take up to ten hours to tenderize in a crock pot but fish cooks a lot quicker, and that's why slow cooker recipes for fish generally only need three or four hours. Leaving the fish in the crockpot when it has finished cooking can dry it out so this is not something to leave in there all day while you are out. You need to serve the fish the moment it is ready.
Steaks from bigger fishes like mackerel, salmon, haddock and cod can be cooked in the crockpot. It will not be feasible to add the whole fish in the pot however , you could certainly add the steaks. If you have a complete fish to cook you can even cut into steaks or have your fishmonger do it for you. Since flatfish tends to be much smaller than these kinds of fishes you can add the entire fish to the slow cooker. Keep in mind because the flesh is not muscular it will be delicate and soft and will cook very quickly.
Do not forget about fish and shellfish whenever planning your slow cooker recipes and meals because, prepared properly, they can come out really flavorful and soft. You can make all kinds of stews or soups with seafood or fish in a crockpot and you can also poach fish for an ultra soft and tender result.
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