How Do You Remove Salt from Salted Fish?
Removing excess salt from salted fish is achievable through several methods, primarily focusing on soaking the fish in cold water. Boiling the fish is generally discouraged, as it can make the fish tough.
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Cold Water Soaking: This is the most common and recommended method. Simply submerge the fish in a bowl or container filled with cold, fresh water. Change the water regularly, at least a few times, for heavily salted fish. The soaking time varies depending on the saltiness of the fish and desired result. Some recipes suggest a one-day soak, others recommend three days in the refrigerator. This gentler approach helps draw out the salt without compromising the fish's texture. [Source: Multiple sources, including Reddit discussions and various cooking blogs]
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Refrigerated Soaking: Placing the fish in cold water within a refrigerator during the soaking process offers an advantage. The colder temperature slows down bacterial growth while still allowing the salt to leach out effectively. [Source: Reference mentioning refrigerated soak for one to three days]
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Rinse Under Cold Running Water: Before starting a longer soak, consider rinsing the fish thoroughly under cold running water to remove any excess surface salt. [Source: Mention of rinsing before soaking].
Factors Affecting Desalting Time
The required soaking time is influenced by several factors:
- Saltiness of the Fish: Heavily salted fish will require longer soaking times.
- Type of Fish: The thickness and density of the fish can affect how quickly the salt is drawn out.
- Desired Salt Level: The desired final saltiness in the dish will determine the length of soaking.
Additional Tips
- For exceptionally salty fish, consider multiple water changes during the soaking process.
- After soaking, gently pat the fish dry with paper towels before cooking.
