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Fish fillet

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A fish fillet is a special piece of fish meat.

Pangasius meat
Pangasius meat

The word comes from a French word. It means a thread or a strip. This cut is the skeletal muscle and fat. It does not include the organs or the bones. Most people like fillets because they are easy to eat. They do not have the large backbone inside. This makes them different from fish steaks. Steaks are cut across the spine and have large bones.

Fish processing hg
Fish processing hg

There are many steps to prepare a fillet. First, you must remove the scales from the fish. You also have to detach the stomach carefully. You can choose to leave the skin on. Sometimes the skin is stripped away. Some fish have tiny bones inside the meat. These are called pinbones. You can remove them using a special "J" cut. This cut follows a J shape to pull the bones out.

Fish processing hg
Fish processing hg

People use different ways to cut the fish. A cutlet is made by slicing behind the head. The cut goes around the belly toward the tail. You repeat this on both sides for a double fillet. A single fillet makes two separate pieces. You can also make a butterfly fillet. This uses the belly skin to hold two sides together. Some cuts are made from large blocks of fish. These include wedge, rhombus, or tail shapes.

Pangasius meat
Pangasius meat

Different fish create different types of meat. A very large fillet is called a fletch. This name is used for fish like tuna. It is also used for halibut or swordfish. Some fish, like the common carp, have many pinbones. These small bones stay inside the muscle. When you fillet a fish, you get less meat than a whole fish. However, the meat is very clean.

Pangasius meat
Pangasius meat

Filleting is a very useful skill in cooking. You do not have to throw everything away. The leftover bones and flesh are called the frame. People often use the frame to make fish stock. This is a tasty liquid used in many recipes. Using the whole fish helps reduce waste. Whether you eat a single fillet or a large fletch, it is a great way to enjoy seafood.

Fish processing hg
Fish processing hg
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