Rockfish
Sebastes spp. · Fish
Top 10 pairings
Rockfish are firm, mild, white-fleshed marine fish of the genus Sebastes, a large group of spiny-rayed "rockfishes" most abundant in the cold, rocky waters of the North Pacific. Sold as fillets, whole "rock cod" or under names like Pacific snapper, the lean flesh holds together well and takes equally to frying, steaming, baking and chowders.
Picking a good onedrag
Just landed: clear eyes, clean sea smellOff: milky eyes, soft, smelling sour
Counter freshBuy itCook to 63 C / 145 F at the thickest point. Previously frozen must still smell fresh and mild. Whole fish? Hold it by the body: the fin spines carry venom and sting.
Eyes and gills, whole fishPupil black but dull, cornea a touch cloudy; gills paler, slime clear
Cut flesh of a filletSmooth, colour unchanged, no dry or dark edges
Press the fleshLess elastic, still springs back
Smell at gills, belly or fleshNeutral and mild, the sea note gone