How to... fillet a round fish

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Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier.

This week, filleting a round fish.

To fillet a round fish such as terakihi (pictured), blue cod, trout or salmon, use a sharp, thin, flexible knife.

PICTURES 1 and 2: Holding the fish flat on a board with one hand, cut down behind the gills to the bone, then turn the knife to about a 20-degree angle and work it along the backbone of the fish, down to the tail.

PICTURE 3: Turn the fish over and fillet the other side.

PICTURE 4: With the knife at an angle, carefully cut out the ribcage bones.

PICTURE 5: You will be left with the head and backbone which can be used to make stock or soup.

PICTURES 6 and 7: If you are smoking the fillets, leave the skin on. However, if you are poaching or frying the fillets or using chunks of fish, it's best to skin them. With the skin side on the board, starting at the tail end and working up towards the head, slide the knife between the flesh and skin, jiggling and pulling on the skin with the other hand.

Trim off any remaining skin and cut out the middle bones at the thick end of the fillet, or pull them out with tweezers or pliers. The frame and trimmings can be used for stock.

Thanks to Blue Water Products Ltd for supplying the fish.

If you would like to request a particular technique, please let us know. Email odt.features@odt.co.nz [2] with tricks of the trade in the subject line.

More information on cooking from the Otago Polytechnic can be found on www.otagocookeryl4.blogspot.com