Dorado fish: benefits and harm, description, recipes

Dorado is a favorite delicacy of the inhabitants of Mediterranean countries. The fish is found under different names: golden sparus or spar, chipura, mahi-mahi, dolphin fish, lampuka, coryphaena. In Portugal it is called sea bream, in Italy – orata or aurata, in Russia – sea bream or sea crucian. Dorado means "golden" in Spanish. She received this name because of the golden stripe on her steep forehead. Local residents of some countries believe that spar has magical properties. We’ll tell you which ones in the article and offer several options for preparing fish. You will learn the benefits and harms of sea bream for the human body.

What kind of fish is it, where is it found?

The habitat of the sea bream is the eastern waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Less often it can be found off the coast of Crimea in the Black Sea basin. In Spain, Greece, Hawaii and the Caribbean islands, this fish is served at the festive table and treated to tourists.

The Romans knew how to artificially grow it in ancient times, using equipped pools and closed creeks with salt water for these purposes. In the 80s of the last century, Turkey, Greece, and Spain mastered farm breeding. In artificial conditions, the fish are fed with special food in granules; in the natural environment, the predator feeds on seaweed, fry, mollusks and crustaceans.

The life cycle of a dorado is 11 years, during this period it grows to 75-80 cm and gains weight up to 20 kg. Such specimens are considered trophy and are quite difficult to catch. The fish has a recognizable appearance. The oval-shaped body is flattened on the sides, the head has a sharp curve, several sharp jagged scales above the eyes, and between them there is a golden crescent-shaped mark. Dark spots are visible above the gills on both sides. The upper jaw is noticeably longer than the lower jaw, the mouth is narrow with full lips. The body and head are covered with silver-gray scales with a greenish tint, characteristic only of living individuals. Posthumously, the brown patch on the dorsal fin also disappears. The tail is framed by a dark stripe.

Freshly caught

In aquarium

In natural habitat

Commercial catch

Dorado is imported in this form

These dishes can be prepared

The spawning period is from early October to late December. At this time, the fish descends to a depth of 150 meters, in other months it prefers to be at a level of 10-30 m. Only males are born, which, upon reaching the age of two, degenerate into females.

What is dorada

A special feature of this representative of the Sparidae family is a characteristic stripe, which is located between the eye sockets and glistens with golden tints in the water. People also call this fish “golden” or sea crucian. It is very common and is found not only in the Mediterranean, but also in the Atlantic Ocean, and even near the Black Sea coast. The fish grows quite quickly and can be grown industrially. The size of the largest individuals can reach 70-80 cm, and weight – 15-17 kg. The weight of an average carcass varies in the range of 3-5 kg.

The body visually resembles an oval, with slightly flattened sides. The head has a rather steep profile, with a slightly pointed protrusion in the area where the eyes are located. The scales of the sea dorado fish are large, jagged, and silver-gray in color. The cover of the gills does not contain spines and is smooth. The mouth is small, with extended jaws containing 4-6 teeth above and below.

The fin on the back is undivided, elongated, including 11 hard and 12-15 soft prickly rays in an adult. The lower and posterior fins have a distinct red or pinkish color.

Interesting to know! This inhabitant of the seas and oceans is a hermaphrodite and, depending on a number of natural factors, can change its gender.

Sea or river?

A representative of the steam family, it is a sea fish, not a river fish, found in the salty water of the Black and Mediterranean seas, as well as in the Atlantic. She spends most of her life at great depths - about 40 meters. Some specimens, in pursuit of food, can even drop to 160 meters or more. The structure of the scales allows it to withstand enormous water pressure without any problems. Crucian carp is a fairly strong and powerful representative of the underwater world, which requires good physical preparation, reliable and durable equipment and luck to catch. Dorado is a predator, feeding on smaller representatives of the marine world.

Beneficial features

Commercial species of dorado:

• royal;
• grey.

The fillet is white, but in the royal it has a pale pink tint. The meat is tender and juicy, with a dense structure and delicate aroma. Thanks to its valuable mineral composition, fish has useful qualities:

1. Increases skin elasticity.
2. It has a beneficial effect on male reproductive function, increasing sperm production and motility.
3. Stimulates the production of thyroid hormones.
4. Strengthens joints and bone tissue, prevents tooth decay.
5. Speeds up metabolism.
6. Promotes timely transmission of nerve impulses.
7. Provides blood supply to the brain and peripheral tissues.
8. Removes toxins and eliminates the accumulation of toxins.
9. Normalizes digestion.
10. Stabilizes glucose levels.
11. Helps to lose extra pounds.
12. Reduces the risk of cognitive impairment.
13. Promotes muscle growth in athletes.
14. Gives strength and shine to hair.
15. Allows you to maintain visual acuity.

Dorado should be consumed in case of severe fatigue and stress to restore lost energy and improve mood.

Pregnant and lactating

There is not a single gram of mercury or other heavy metals in sea bream meat, so during pregnancy, the fish will only provide benefits and no harm.

By eating 200-300 g of fillet per day, the expectant mother will receive the entire complex of necessary minerals and vitamins. With systematic use, a woman’s nervousness decreases and gas formation decreases. In addition, micro and macroelements in fish contribute to the correct, timely development of the skeleton and neural tube of the fetus.

Dorado is allowed to be consumed while breastfeeding. But first you should find out whether the child is allergic to the product. To do this, it is enough to eat 100 g of fillet. If within 24 hours the baby does not develop a rash, red spots, or develop a fever, then there are no contraindications.

For nursing women, steamed, stewed or baked fish is healthier.

Breeding

Even in ancient Rome, sea bream was grown in special artificial ponds and pools with sea water. Mass artificial breeding appeared first in Italy (approximately 1981-1982), but by the end of the eighties this fish began to be grown in most Mediterranean countries. The main share (up to half of the world volume) of sea bream production came from Greece, 14-15% each came from Turkey and Spain, 6% from Italy, and the rest from other coastal countries. In modern Russia, the main percentage is imported from Greece, Turkey, Tunisia and Cyprus. Despite the fact that sea bream is generally unpretentious to external environmental conditions, it does not tolerate cold temperatures well, which is why there is no wild sea bream on the Russian (and Moscow in particular) market.

There are three main ways to breed golden spar:

• Intensive

Fish are bred in above-ground containers, often indoors, using light to simulate certain times of the year. This method is suitable for countries with a climate that is not warm enough for sea bream.

• Semi-intensive

Huge floating cages and feeders are being built near the shore (you can read more about cages and aquaculture in our previous article)

• Extensive

Fish are grown almost freely in lagoons and creeks. This method is as close as possible to conventional fishing, that is, the properties of the fish are almost no different from wild ones. However, this breeding method is suitable only for warm countries.

All three methods of breeding sea bream have almost the same final income, however, the costs of the extensive method are much lower due to the absence of complex structures and expensive equipment.

For diseases

Some diseases require strict dietary restrictions. Let's consider cases when bream fish can be included in a patient's diet.

Pancreatitis

When the pancreas is inflamed, the consumption of fats and carbohydrates is minimized. The body requires as much easily digestible animal protein as possible, which dorado is rich in.

Steamed or boiled fish is suitable for the diet. To diversify the diet, it is baked with vegetables without adding oil.

Dorado can be consumed every day for pancreatitis, as it is one of the foods with the lowest fat content. You need to eat in small portions - 70-150 g several times a day.

Diabetes and hyperglycemia

The ability to influence blood sugar levels gives the dorade an advantage over other fish breeds.

When the content of glucose in the blood serum is above 6 mmol/l, including in type 2 diabetes mellitus, low-calorie protein foods are included in the daily diet.

White meat normalizes the patient’s condition and saturates the cells with essential nutrients.

Cardiac ischemia

People who regularly eat dorado are less likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. The minerals contained in fish fillets control coronary blood flow and provide adequate oxygen supply to the myocardium.

Fish should be eaten both for preventive and medicinal purposes. It prevents angina attacks and myocardial infarction.

Dorada for weight loss

For girls who want to lose extra pounds and regularly go on exhausting diets, dorado fish is useful. It should be included in your diet.

A small amount of fat and the absence of carbohydrates in sea crucian meat with maximum saturation of proteins and microelements helps saturate the body with useful substances. Spar goes well with vegetables.

Calorie content and composition

There are no carbohydrates in the dorado pulp, but the composition includes fatty acids and chemical elements necessary for life.

100 g of fish contains:

• sulfur – 12 mg;
• potassium – 460 mg;
• phosphorus – 143 mg;
• calcium – 15 mg;
• magnesium – 30 mg;
• sodium – 88 mg;
• copper – 40 mcg;
• selenium – 36.5 mcg;
• zinc – 6.7 mg;
• iron – 0.9 mg;
• manganese – 20;
• iodine – 65 mcg.

Vitamin composition per 100 g:

1. Niacin equivalent (NI) – 9.55 mg.
2. Nicotinic acid (PP) – 6.1 mg.
3. Retinol (A) – 0.054 mg.
4. Thiamine (B1) – 20 mcg.
5. Riboflavin (B2) – 70 mcg.
6. Pantothenic acid (B5) – 750 mcg.
7. Pyridoxine (B6) – 400 mcg.
8. Folic acid (B9) – 5 mcg.

Nutritional value per 100 g:

• water – 77.5 g;
• fats – 1.8 g;
• proteins – 18.5 g;
• cholesterol – 73 mg.

The fish is baked with herbs and vegetables, stewed in tomato, boiled and grilled.
Dorado is allowed to be eaten even raw. Calorie content for different cooking methods

Sea bass or dorado

There is a lot of debate among fish lovers about the similarities and differences between crucian carp and sea bass. These fish are practically indistinguishable in taste, but the dorado fillet is denser and more flavorful, while the sea bass is bony.

In terms of the number of useful compounds in its composition, no fish has a pronounced advantage. Both types are interchangeable and have the same medicinal properties.

Harm to dorado and contraindications

As mentioned earlier, few people have heard about the benefits and harms of dorado for the body. Despite the enormous advantages of fish, it has disadvantages. Among which is its high cost, which means it is inaccessible to a wide range of consumers. And the presence of small bones does not allow it to be introduced into the children's diet in large portions.

There are no special contraindications for fish, apart from individual intolerance of the body. Do not forget about the exotic origin of sea crucian carp, which means that dorado may be unusual for the body of a Russian resident.

To avoid the development of an allergic reaction, golden steam should be administered carefully and little by little.

How to choose and store correctly

Both frozen and chilled sea bream are found on the shelves. Fish that has not been frozen is preferable, as it is easier to ensure its freshness:

1. After light pressure on the back, there is no trace left.
2. The gills are red in color, without a putrid odor.
3. The tail and fins are elastic.
4. The scales are shiny and not weathered.
5. The eyes are transparent.

If the carcass has already been cut, it is worth inspecting the fillet. It should be elastic and not fall apart into fibers. The color of fresh pulp is white with a pink tint, without foreign inclusions.

Small specimens 20-40 cm long are the most delicious.

It is better to cook fish immediately. When refrigerated, it can be stored for no longer than 2 days, and when frozen, it can be stored for 4 months.

Which is healthier: dorado or sea bass?

It is extremely difficult to talk about the benefits of fish, since the composition of vitamins is the same as that of dorado. However, marine fish have the advantage of phosphorus and iodine. In addition, dorado also wins in terms of diet, but sea bass is not far behind.

Even patients who suffer from serious health problems are allowed to eat sea crucian fish. But sea bass also has no strict restrictions on its consumption.

As for taste preferences, only gourmets can distinguish the fish, since dorado and sea bass are very similar.

What products does it combine with?

Dietary dorado meat is quickly digested and easily absorbed.
To highlight the taste and avoid discomfort after eating, you need to know what delicious product goes best with and what ingredients should not be added to the dish. Compatibility table with other products

Cooking secrets

To make the fish tasty, it is important to maintain its juiciness and not dry it out. There are rules for preparing dorado, if followed, the dish will always be a success:

1. Before cooking, several cuts are made on the scaled fish. This way the skin will not curl under the influence of temperature.
2. It should be stewed in a sauce, preferably made from tomatoes and pickled green olives. This will add piquancy and juiciness.
3. If the fish is frozen, place it in a deep bowl and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. You cannot fill it with water or defrost it in a microwave oven, this will ruin the structure and negatively affect the taste.
4. The gills are cut out to avoid bitterness in the finished dish.
5. It is necessary to observe the temperature regime. It is different for each cooking method.
6. Do not overcook fish in the oven. Dorada cooks quickly - from 15 minutes on the grill to half an hour in the oven or in broth.
7. To prevent moisture from evaporating during baking, you need to wrap the carcass in foil.
8. If you make 3-4 deep cuts on each side, the marinade will more easily penetrate the pulp and soften the small bones.
9. Of all the possible spices, Provençal herbs and basil are considered the most suitable. They add a delicious aroma without overpowering the taste.
10. No need to cut the fish into steaks. In general, it is much softer and tastier.

In foil

There are various options for preparing dorado in foil. Fish is most often baked, but it turns out no less tasty in a water bath.

Ingredients:

• fish – 2 pcs.;
• olive oil – 3 tbsp;
• dry white wine – 100 ml;
• lemon – 4 slices;
• Provençal herbs – 1 tsp;
• salt to taste.

Preparation:

1. Mix the oil with herbs and wine in a deep bowl.
2. Coat the prepared carcasses with marinade and leave for 10-15 minutes.
3. We put lemon slices into the cuts on the bellies and add salt.
4. Wrap each fish tightly in foil.
5. Leave to simmer in a water bath for 15-20 minutes.

Italian style in tomato-herb sauce

You will need:

• dorado fillet – 4 pcs.;
• pink tomatoes – 500 g;
• cherry tomatoes – 100 g;
• chili pepper – 1 pc.;
• olives – 200 g;
• onions – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 4 cloves;
• basil – 15 g;
• parsley – 10 g;
• flour – 1 tbsp;
• dry white wine – 50 ml;
• salt, ground black pepper - to taste.

Prepare the sauce:

1. Cut the onion into cubes and sauté.
2. Grind the pink tomatoes in a blender until smooth.
3. Add the fried onions to them and send the mixture to simmer over low heat.
4. Add a few sprigs of basil and cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
5. A couple of minutes before readiness, pepper and salt.

Let's get down to basics:

1. If the fillet is large, cut into portions.
2. Add some salt, roll in flour, then fry for 3 minutes on each side.
3. Finely chop the chili and add to the fish.
4. We also put olives and garlic passed through a press there.
5. Fry all ingredients over high heat for a minute.
6. Reduce temperature, pour in white wine, evaporate.
7. Add the prepared sauce to the pan, simmer for 10 minutes, adding cherry tomatoes cut in half.
8. Decorate with chopped parsley.

On a bed of salt

You will need:

• dorado - 1 pc.;
• table salt – 1.5 kg;
• thyme – 2 sprigs;
• rosemary – 2 sprigs;
• lemon – ½ pc.

Preparation:

We gut the fish, remove the gills and wash thoroughly without removing the scales. Dry with a paper towel or napkins.

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
2. Pour coarse salt into a large heat-resistant dish in a 1.5 cm layer.
3. We cut the lemon into slices and stuff them into the dorada.
4. Add herbs to the cut on the abdomen.
5. Place the carcass on a bed of salt and bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the fish.
6. Serve with quinoa and bulgur.

Recipe for cooking dorado in foil

There are several options for cooking in foil. Here's one of them.

Cooking method:

We recommend reading: Benefits of bell pepper, properties

• The oven is heated to 200 degrees.
• At this time, clean and gut the fish, rinse and dry. Grease half a sheet of foil with oil and place half the fish there. Salt and pepper to taste on both sides and rub with oil.
• Half a lemon is cut into small slices, squeeze out the juice from the other half, which you want to lubricate the seafood. Stuff the belly with slices and basil.
• Wrap in foil and bake for half an hour.

We recommend reading: Chili peppers: benefits and harms, properties, how to eat them

If desired, after stuffing, you can sprinkle with a mixture of spicy Italian herbs.

Dried and smoked

Extraordinarily tasty smoked dorado. With the cold method, the fish will be saltier. It is often used as a beer snack.

Hot-cooked fish melts in your mouth and is eaten with boiled potatoes or as a separate dish.

You can smoke it at home.

In the oven

For the marinade we use dry salting:

• We clean the entrails of 5 small fish without damaging the gallbladder. Remove the gills, head, leave the scales;
• rub the carcasses on top and inside with salt at the rate of 100 g per 1 kg of fish;
• pour 1 cm of salt into a plastic container and place the semi-finished products tightly;
• put pressure on top and leave to marinate for 4 hours;
• We wash the salted fish, insert a wooden spacer into the belly and dry it in air for 3 hours, protecting it from flies with gauze.

For the cold method, we increase the holding time under pressure and drying to 2 days.

Smoking:

1. For each fish we prepare foil of a suitable size. Spread it on a baking sheet.
2. Lay out the carcasses and water with 1-2 tbsp. liquid smoke.
3. Wrap the foil so that the liquid does not leak out.
4. In an oven preheated to 200 degrees, place a baking sheet with a small fish for half an hour, with a large fish for an hour.
5. Dorado can be dried and dried using the same marinade.

Myths and rumors

In the dorado's habitats, there are many legends and rumors about its mythical properties.

Greece

Locals believe that the golden mark on the forehead was left by the Greek goddess of love. It is believed that Aphrodite gave this fish the power to connect hearts.

If a lover touches the shiny spot three times, then his love will be mutual. In ancient times, lonely people brought fish as a gift to Aphrodite in the hope of finding a soul mate.

Caribbean Islands and Hawaii

The islanders also attribute to the dorado the ability to bring human souls together, calling it a “talisman of love.” There is a ritual - a couple in love must catch the fish themselves, cook it and eat it, sharing it with each other. According to legend, love will grow stronger, and the couple will never part.

This legend is often told to tourists in expensive establishments, offering to catch dorado fish from a restaurant aquarium. You can also fry your catch there, but such a program is not cheap.

What does dorado look like and where is it found?

It is otherwise called golden sarp or sea crucian. For 2018, the maximum length is 70 cm, and weight is 17 kg. However, fishermen usually catch species with much less weight. On average - 500 grams.

Sea crucian carp has an oval body with flattened sides and silvery scales that extend slightly towards the head. The dorsal fin of the fish has spiny rays.

The scales are painted silver, the fins have a pink tint, and there is a golden line between the eyes.

Reference! During life, the fish has a brown spot on its tail, which disappears after death.

Dorado habitats are the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean. But in the late 90s, schools of sea crucian carp were spotted by fishermen off the coast of Crimea.