Healthy Eating
Fish On Fridays
In the old Catholic Church, Friday was seen as a day of fasting. As rules became more relaxed, a couple of small meals were allowed, but red meat couldn’t be consumed. Fish was soon adopted as the main protein of the day.
Many families still observe this strong tradition. Fishmongers welcome a longstanding Friday trade. Independent fishmongers still set up stalls in the towns and villages of Ireland on Fridays, knowing their business will be good. Queues are always seen.
Which is good news for good health. Modern research has shown that fish consumption is on the way up. Nutritional experts now recommend 2-3 portions of fish each week for a balanced diet. Fish contains easy to digest protein and is low in fat. Oily fish like mackerel, salmon and herring are also rich in Omega fatty acids, known to be beneficial for heart health.
From the cook’s point of view, fish is quick to put on the table. Many people are afraid to cook it because they aren’t sure how long it takes. This is why it sometimes ends up as dry and tasteless because it has been in the pan too long. The one rule of thumb for a normal fresh fish fillet is that it needs only moments to cook. Brief cooking will ensure moist tasty flesh. The simplest method of cooking fish in Ireland is to coat it in egg and breadcrumbs and shallow fry it in hot oil in a pan. Depending on thickness, this will be cooked in approximately 6-8 minutes. You really can’t say fairer than that for putting a meal together in a hurry.
The rise in fish consumption is great news for Ireland as an island. We are surrounded by prolific waters which yield a variety of fish and shellfish during the year. These are landed at various harbours dotted around the coast. Many of them are small working harbours, with small fishing boats that go out for only a few days at a time. This is the best and freshest fish you can get your hands on.
Once you’ve found the best quality fish you can buy, try these easy fish ideas from our members:
Salmon Fishcakes from The Merrion Hotel made with the freshest fish. Easy to put together, these work perfectly with some homemade oven-baked chips and mushy peas, or salad and bread.
Seafood Chowder is an all-time Irish favourite for a hearty lunch or light supper. We have several versions in our recipe listings, including a special one from Carrygerry Country House. Check them out to see which ones you like best!
Carrygerry’s Seafood Chowder Recipe
West Coast Seafood Chowder Recipe
Another dish that will leave you more than satisfied is the Pan-fried Sea Bream recipe. These smaller fish allow for quick cooking and the crisp skin provides a textural contrast to the soft flesh of the fish. The fennel and apple salad is a perfect accompaniment to many types of fish: fresh and very tasty.
Check out the Good Food Ireland® Collection of Fishmongers where you can get top quality fish in Ireland:
