The process of softening dried or smoked Catfish is required in situations where the fish will not be made to stay long on the fire to cook. This occurs when cooking fast meals like Stews, Vegetables, Noodles, and other fast foods. Soften dried or smoked catfish- grilled fish.
Softening dried or smoked Catfish is very easy to do. This process can be done in three different simple and fast methods which are:
- Rehydrate in water.
- Rehydrate in broth.
- Boil the Catfish.
Difference between dried Catfish and smoked Catfish
Before we go into the three different methods on how to soften Catfish, it is good you know the difference between dried Catfish and smoked Catfish.
Dried Catfish are fish that have undergone cleaning, brining, and drying processes with the use of an Oven.
The smoked Catfish is a fish that has undergone a cleaning, brining, and drying process with the use of firewood.
The dried Catfish are known to be hygienic, unlike the smoked ones because the smoked Catfish usually have exposure to dirt due to the heat source. Although consumers of smoked Catfish over the years keep saying that smoked Catfish are sweeter than the Oven-dried ones there are a lot of consumers for the oven-dried ones than the smoked ones because of their own unique taste and hygienic nature. This is why Wemmab Foods majors on using Oven to dry our Catfish. Soften dried or smoked catfish- grilled fish.
THE METHODS OF SOFTENING DRIED OR SMOKED CATFISH BEFORE COOKING
There are three methods of softening dried or smoked Catfish before cooking which are:
- Rehydrate in water.
- Rehydrate in broth.
- Boil the Catfish.
Rehydrate in water: Rehydration is a process that involves introducing fluid to a dried substance. This is a restoration process because the substance to be rehydrated initially has fluid in it before it is dried. Therefore rehydration is to restore fluid to the substance.
One method to soften dried Catfish before cooking is to restore water to the dried Catfish by soaking it in water. You can do this by filling a deep plate or bowl with water and then soaking the fish in the water for some time.
You will need to check the fish from time to time to determine the level of softness you would like to get too. After it has gotten to that level, you can then take out the Catfish for cooking.
Rehydrate in Broth: We have seen that the meaning of rehydrate is to reintroduce fluid or water to a dried substance. The broth is any liquid in which things like Meat and fish have been soaked in it.
A dried Catfish can be softened by soaking the Catfish in any available broth for some time. This is a simple process that can be done by filling your broth in a deep plate or bowl and then adding the dried Catfish into the bowl to absorb the liquid. You will need to leave the fish in the broth for some time to allow it to get soft enough to your desired state for cooking your meat. Soften dried or smoked catfish- grilled fish.
The broth will be used to soften the dried Catfish and also to add more taste and flavor to the fish and the meal that will be cooked.
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Boil the Catfish: The third method to soften dried Catfish before cooking is very simple but will require more effort, unlike the first two methods. This method will require that you have a heating pot, some water, the dried Catfish, and a heating source which can be either a Stove, Gas or Electric cooker, etc.
To go about this process, you will need to put the water and the dried fish in the pot and then place them on the heat source for a while.
The pot will be left on the heat source till the water starts boiling. Allow the water to boil well before turning off the heat source. This will allow you to successfully soften the dried Catfish to a good state for cooking your meal.
I have put together all you need to know concerning the process of drying fish and Snails in my course titled “THE BUSINESS OF DRIED FISH AND SNAIL PROCESSING”
This course contains a comprehensive E-book and some clear videos on the things you need to know about dried Fish and Snails.
