How to cook fresh fish in nature: simple recipes

How to Choose and Prepare Fresh Fish for Cooking

The key to a successful fish dish is choosing the right one. Pay attention to the appearance of the fish—fresh is better than frozen. The eyes should be clear, skin smooth and shiny, and it should have a light, ocean-like smell.

While cleaning the fish, it’s important to preserve its structure, so use a sharp knife to carefully remove the insides, leaving either fillets or the whole fish intact. The skin is often left on during grilling for extra flavor and protection.

You can also pre-cook the fish at home before the trip or opt for easier types that can be quickly cleaned on-site. Special care should be taken to store it properly to keep it fresh until it’s time to cook.

Here are some easy recipes for cooking fresh fish outdoors:

1. Fish Wrapped in Foil

Ingredients:

• Fresh fish (trout, pike-perch, or your choice)
• 1 Lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Spices (rosemary, thyme—optional)

Instructions:

1. Clean and rinse the fish, then season with salt and pepper.
2. Lay the fish on a sheet of foil, drizzle with oil, add lemon slices and spices.
3. Wrap the foil tightly to prevent any openings and place it on hot coals. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning once.

2. Grilled Fish on a Rack

Ingredients:

• Fresh fish (perch, bream, or another)
• Salt (to taste)
• Olive oil (for greasing the rack)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic

Instructions:

1. Clean the fish, rinse, and rub with salt and minced garlic.
2. Grease the rack with oil to prevent sticking.
3. Place the fish on the rack and grill over the fire, turning until golden brown and crispy, about 10-15 minutes on each side.

3. Fish Baked with Vegetables

Ingredients:

• Fresh fish (mackerel or any other)
• Vegetables (potatoes, carrots, bell peppers)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 Lemon

Instructions:

1. Clean the fish, season with salt and pepper.
2. Chop the vegetables, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper.
3. On a sheet of foil, place the fish with vegetables around it. Add lemon slices.
4. Wrap the foil and bake over coals for about 30-40 minutes.

4. Fish Cakes

Ingredients:

• 300 g fresh fish fillet
• 100 g bread (soaked in water)
• 1 Onion
• 1 Egg
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Bread crumbs (for coating)

Instructions:

1. Pass the fish fillet through a meat grinder along with the onion and soaked bread.
2. Add the egg, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
3. Shape into patties and coat in breadcrumbs.
4. Fry over the fire on a rack, turning until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes on each side.

These recipes can be easily adapted to any outdoor setting and will provide you with delicious dishes made from fresh fish!

Basic Marinating Methods and Seasonings

Marinating enhances the tenderness of fish and adds flavor. The simplest option is using salt, lemon juice, and olive oil. This mixture keeps the fish moist and accentuates its natural taste.

The type of fish determines the marinating time. For fatty fish like mackerel, 15 to 30 minutes is enough, while white fish like perch can be left in the marinade for several hours. Fish cooked on the grill pairs well with aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Don’t forget about spices: paprika, garlic, and black pepper give the fish a zesty flavor, making it perfect for cooking over an open fire. To keep the fish fresh until cooking, marinated fish should be stored in airtight containers.

Cooking Techniques for Fish Over Open Fire

Depending on available resources and conditions, various methods can be used to cook fish over an open fire. One of the simplest ways to cook fish in coals with lemon, spices, and foil. This procedure retains moisture and imparts a pleasant smoky aroma to the fish.

Grilling fish on a rack over a fire is also very popular. For this, grease the rack with oil to prevent sticking and turn the fish regularly for even cooking. The fish skin helps keep the meat juicy.

You can also cook fish or fillets on a stick, especially if they’re small. Simply skewer the fish onto a sturdy branch and grill it over the fire, turning constantly to avoid burning.

Simple Serving and Presentation Ideas for Outdoor Dining

Not only is it delicious to cook fish, but presenting it uniquely outdoors is also essential. One of the simplest options is serving fish with baked vegetables. Zucchini, carrots, and potatoes cooked over coals make a wonderful side dish that requires minimal preparation.

Additionally, fish can be served with light salads made from fresh vegetables. Along with the fish, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs will refresh the taste. For dressing, olive oil and lemon juice can be used.

For a more original presentation, fish can be wrapped in lavash with herbs and sauce, or you can prepare grilled fish toast. Simply cover slices of bread and bake them until crispy.