I’m a Registered Dietitian and This Is the Fish I Buy When I Need a Break from Salmon
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that, as a dietitian, I believe salmon is one of the best foods on the planet. Beyond its many nutritional benefits (with almost 35% of the daily value of protein and high levels of DHA, omega-3 fatty acids), the fish is a chameleon in the kitchen. Really. There are so many different ways to cook salmon. And depending on how you do, it can be on the table in just 10 minutes.
Every so often, though, I start feeling some salmon fatigue. And while skipping salmon is fine, foregoing fish altogether is a no-go in my book. Serendipitously, Greensbury Market, the meat delivery service I use for my monthly beef shipments, announced they were now offering two sablefish fillets (or wild-caught black cod). I hadn’t heard of sablefish, but I was intrigued by the overwhelmingly positive reviews and liked that it’s also a good source of protein and omega-3, so I ordered the fillets that night.
What’s So Great About Greensbury Market Sablefish?
As a busy working mom, anything that shows up at my door a few days after clicking “purchase” is already a winner in my book. The fish was packed in vacuum-sealed packages with dry ice and compostable insulation. I pulled it out of the box and stashed it in the freezer until I was ready to cook it.
Being unfamiliar with this fish, I searched for suggestions on how to prepare it. Turns out, it’s quite simple to cook (and not all that dissimilar from salmon). I unwrapped the packaging to thaw the fish and was thrilled to see there were no signs of freezer burn or fishy smells. I settled on a store-bought teriyaki glaze for the marinade and pan-fried the fish over high heat on a quiet Sunday evening. It was flaky, buttery, flavorful, and a joy to eat. It was every bit the five-stars I’d read about — a welcome change from the salmon I’ve been eating for decades.
What’s the Best Way to Use Greensbury Market Sablefish?
I’ve been keeping sablefish stocked in my freezer for about six months now and it has yet to wear out its welcome. I often do a simple marinade, and then serve the fish with rice and some stir-fried vegetables. Occasionally, I will sauté the fish with white wine, garlic, and fresh herbs and pair it with pasta (linguine is my go-to) and a side salad. Regardless of how it’s prepared, it’s a new staple in my dinner rotation.
Buy: Sablefish, $30 for 2 (6-ounce) fillets at Greensbury Market
What new staples have you been buying at the grocery store? Tell us about it in the comments.