Hello everyone~!!! It's been so long since I last wrote in my once so cherished BLOG.  For the 1 maybe 2 people that read my BLOG, sorry for not writing for so long!!! Like I always say, I'm going to write more often.  Or should I say I'd like to write more often.  As time passes and time becomes more available to, I will write more.  As in the past, I will write about all things but will mostly concentrate on writing things that YOU could use in the kitchen, grille, fryer etc.  I'd like for you to enjoy food as much as I do and I'd like to share some of the things that I've learned over the years.  I just wanted to apologize for grammatical errors and mis-spelled words on this entry.  The computer I'm on is not equipped with MS word so therefore I have no access to a spellchecker so................With that saying, hope you enjoy and I'll see you next time. 

Ok, so here's how to pick good fish from your local fish market.  I do not believe in buying fish in supermarkets unless you can see, smell and feel the fish.  Supermarkets that sell cut and plastic wrapped fish in my book, a big NO NO. 
Buying good to great quality fish is VERY important.  Buying that fish is not so difficult when you learn the couple easy steps which I am about to tell you.  Remember; picking and buying fresh fish will always require you to touch the fish so keep some hand sanitizer handy.  If you don't use hand sanitizer, ask one of the employees for a plastic glove.  I'm sure they'll hook you up. 
Here's the most important tip.  BUY FISH FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES.  Now I'm not saying you have to go to the Fish Market in the bronx but you should go to a store that does a lot of business because that means they turn the fish and that fresh fish keeps coming in.  You don't want to buy fish from the guy fishing next to Peter's Clam bar is what I'm trying to say :)  You must judge the quality of fish by looks, smell and feel.  Still with me?
Alrighty, let's get down to it.  Remember, you must check the fish no matter where you buy it from.  This is to protect you and your loved ones.  I've had foodbourne illness before and IT SUCKS so please please be careful. 
When you buy fish, I always recommend you buy the whole fish.  Why? Because 1, you know you're not buying something that was cut and sitting there for days and 2, you'll probably get it cheaper than buying cut fillets(per pound).  for those who think that buying the head and bones is wasting money think again.  You can make AWESOME soups from what's left over(head, bones, skin, etc.)  If buying the whole fish is not an option, ask if they'll cut it in front of you. 

First let's go over smell.  This may sound weird and out of place, but fresh fish should not smell like fish.  Or should I say fishy.  The best way I can explain the smell of fresh fish is that it should smell like the ocean.  When you get that "fishy" smell, it means the fish is on it's way out.  Also beware to smell the body crevase if the fish is gutted.   The inside should smell like the ocean as well.  BEWARE OF FISH THAT SMELLS LIKE LEMON.  A lot or should I say most if not all of the fish markets will always have fish that is left over.  Especailly if they have a wide variety of fish(some sell more than others).  What markets will do is rub down a fish with lemon to kill that "fishy" smell.  When, you, the customer smells lemon, they automatically think clean since most of us associate the scent of lemon with cleanliness(This is actual tested psyhcology).  THIS IS NOT THE CASE THIS TIME.  If you smell lemon, head for the next fish.  Try to stay away from things that are maritnated as well.  Those tend to be leftover fish unless that is what they specialize in. 

Next, we'll go over touch.  To successfully select a good piece of fish, you must check the fish by touch.  Fish should always be plump and firm.  It should not be soft and mushy.  The fish should not be slimey either.  Now take caution when you observe this because of course most fish are a little slimey.  It's just that it can't be something out of ghostbusters.  Touch the fins and tails to make sure they are not dried out and that they're moist and in tact.

Finally we have looks.  The first thing you should look at are the eyes.  If eyes are cloudy or white, this is a sign that the fish has been sitting either there or in the processing plant a little too long.  Cloudy eyes aren't good, but white eyes are TERRIBLE.  Next we must check the gills.  The gills should NOT be slimey and they should be bright red.  If you see slimey, pink and or brown gills, not a good sign.  Finally, just take a look over the whole fish.  Fins, tail, scales should all be intact.  Another good test is to try to pick off one of the scales(if the fish has scales ie. Striped bass, salmon).  If they just scratch off, no bueno.  If they're had to pick off or don't even come off at all, you know you're good. 

There are many ways to select good quality fish.  The step mentioned above are things that I look for, things that I do to determine a good piece of fish from a bad piece of fish.  I'm not saying that this is the only way, just that it's my way.  I always suggest to buy the whole fish for reasons mentioned before but it also creates the oppurtunities to buy the better piece of fish.  You should always buy sushi grade fish for it is the best of quality.  Rememeber that frozen fish is not exactly BAD fish.  It just turns out that BAD fish usually gets FROZEN.  So if you buy the whole fish, do not be afraid to freeze it.  As long as you buy good QUALITY fish you'll be ok.  Selecting good shellfish is a whole other topic so I'll jump on that some other day.   Hope this helps and I didn't lose your interest a paragraph ago.  If you have any questions or would like me to post entries on certain things please send me an e-mail tatishikawa@gmail.com As always, thanks for reading and hope to see you all real soon!!!