Sautéing Seafood

Sautéing is a cooking method that combines simplicity with sophistication, making it a favorite among seafood enthusiasts. Whether you're an adventurer in the kitchen or a conscientious eater seeking healthy options, sautéing offers a quick and easy way to enjoy seafood's rich flavors. FreshAIG.com, your local seafood directory and online marketplace, is here to guide you through this delightfully simple cooking process.

Why Sauté?

Sautéing involves cooking food over a stove in fat or oil until it is tender or seared. This method is perfect for all kinds of seafood, from mild fish fillets to meaty, dense seafood like scallops. It's not only quick and easy but also allows you to create complementary pan sauces that elevate the flavor of your dish.

The Sautéing Process

Start by adding high smoke point oil in a pan. Place your seasoned seafood in the pan at medium to medium-high temperature, skin side down if you're cooking skin-on fish. Cook it undisturbed until it's almost done, about 5-7 minutes per inch of thickness. Then, turn off the heat and flip the seafood, allowing the residual heat to gently finish cooking it.

For an elevated experience, remove the seafood when it's almost done, use the same pan to make a sauce, and return the seafood uncooked side down with the heat off to finish cooking in the sauce. For a luxurious touch, try the French technique called poele. After turning the seafood, add more butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan, and baste the fish constantly with the browned melted butter combination. The result is a rich, yet balanced flavor with a deliciously textured surface.

Sauté Tips

• Turn down the heat to medium and cook a little longer for crispier skin (if cooking with skin on fish) and a juicer fillet
• Score the skin with shallow slashes to prevent it from curling in a hot pan
• Do not overcrowd the pan, instead space portions to avoid soggy flesh with limp skin
• Avoid fiddling or poking at the fish and let the pan do the cooking
• Use a slotted spatula to let the excess fat or oil drip off back into the pan
• Serve skin side up, if skin is present, for a crispy seared finish

Find Fresh Seafood

Your local seafood merchant on FreshAIG.com provides the best seafood for sautéing. Seafood markets, farmers, and fishermen are experts at processing fish for your convenience, ensuring you enjoy the freshest seafood nearby. By choosing local merchants, you're not only getting top-quality seafood but also supporting your community and consuming responsibly sourced food.

Take Home

Sautéing seafood is a technique that anyone can master with a little practice and the right ingredients. FreshAIG.com is your go-to resource for the freshest seafood and expert advice. Visit our website to explore a world of seafood possibilities and bring the wholesomeness of the sea to your table. Share your sautéing experiences using #FreshAIGSeafood and join a community of seafood lovers who appreciate the art of cooking.