Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience by becoming familiar with this outstanding tautog recipe!
You will enjoy the rich, buttery tautog flaked with sea salt and seasonings.
The meat is tender enough to eat out of hand and the savory flavors of herbs and spices will have your taste buds singing.
The fish will serve as a perfect finger food for parties, for your next tailgating event or any gathering you might host.
What ingredients do you need for a tautog recipe?
For a perfectly seasoned tautog recipe you will need:
- Fish fillets (for flaked tautog) or whole fish (for baked tautog)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
What are the steps to prepare a tautog recipe?
You will need the following ingredients for this tautog recipe: tautog, sea salt, black pepper, butter, thyme, garlic, parsley and lemon juice
To make a tautog recipe, you will need to first prepare the fish by removing the bones from the head and tail.
You can either clean it with a knife or use your fingers.
Additionally, you will want to remove any skin that is attached to its flesh.
Next up is marinating your tautog dish.
In this part of the recipe you will be adding the chopped garlic and parsley.
You will also be adding minced thyme and black pepper to the mixture.
Finally, add in the lemon juice to give it an extra punch of flavor!
What is the cooking time for a tautog recipe?
The cooking time for a tautog recipe depends heavily on the temperature of your kitchen.
If your kitchen is hot and humid, you will have to cook the recipe longer than usual.
Tautog recipes are best cooked in a hot oven at 350 – 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The tautog recipe should be cooked until the center is translucent, but not yet firm through the entire length of the fish.
Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the fish and how many times it has been previously frozen.
A cookbook author on CookingTables.com recommends a 45-minute cooking time for codfish, with 3 different cooking temperatures:
- The uncooked fish is frozen at -18 degrees Fahrenheit and thawed at room temperature (about 72 degrees Fahrenheit)
- The uncooked fish is frozen at 5 degrees Fahrenheit and thawed at room temperature (about 65 degrees Fahrenheit)
- The frozen fish is thawed in cold water (about 39 degrees Fahrenheit)
CookingTable.com states that tautog recipes take about 2 to 3 hours to prepare, depending on the amount of meat left on the bone.
What is the best way to cook a tautog recipe?
First, take the tautog fillets out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.
This will ensure that when you cook them, they will be ready to eat!
Dab some olive oil on each side and season with salt and black pepper.
Then, pat them dry with a paper towel before laying them on the grill.
Cover it with foil so that the fish is able to breathe and cook evenly.
After you have sprinkled a cornmeal mixture on one side of each fillet, flip them over so they are seasoned on both sides.
Once they are ready to go on the grill, place your spatula in a loop and flip them quickly so they will be cooked evenly.
The tautog recipe instructions below include instructions for both grilling as well as frying.
What is the nutritional value of a tautog recipe?
The nutritional value of tautog is very close to that of salmon and therefore you can enjoy a serving of this fish recipe without worrying about hurting your cholesterol levels.
Are there any variations to a tautog recipe?
Yes!
The tautog recipe is a very flexible dish that can be made with different types of fish and seasonings.
In other words, you can easily vary this recipe to create a flavorful tautog recipe for any type of occasion.
Check out these three variations to the tautog recipe below.
Now that you know how easy it is to make a delicious tautog recipe, why not try one of the variations listed below?
Tautog with Clams & Mushrooms
Those who enjoy seafood will love this tasty variation.
The combination of meaty clams, rich mushrooms, buttery tautog and the classic flavors of sea salt and pepper will be an unforgettable meal for any party.
With this recipe, you will feast on each bite with pride.
- Clams
- Mushrooms
- Tautog
Tautog with Barbecue Sauce & Swiss Chard
This savory variation is perfect for those who enjoy low-fat foods or weight watchers.
The rich and creamy barbecue sauce infuses the meaty flavors into the juicy tautog.
This tasty finger food will fill your belly with satisfaction.
- Swiss Chard
- Swiss Chard
- Barbecue Sauce
- Tautog
Tautog Wrap
For those who are in need of a healthier version of the meaty meal, try making it into a wrap.
Tautogs wrapped in burritos make an excellent finger food at parties or tailgating events.
All you need to do is take a few large wraps, add some tautogs, some lettuce leaves and top them with tomato slices.
A few seasonings such as garlic powder and spices such as paprika and cayenne will add more flavor.
What herbs and spices should be used in a tautog recipe?
The use of spices and herbs that enhance the flavor of fish is well known.
Many of these seasonings are used in the cooking of other types of food, too.
Spice blends have been around a long time, going all the way back to ancient Rome.
For example, the “white pepper” used in the tautog recipe comes from the citrus fruit called white peppercorn.
Spices don’t just do for tautog recipe what they do for other types of fish — you can also use herbs and spices in its preparation.
The herbs and spices that should be used depend on the kind of fish being cooked.
Tautog recipe is a great opportunity to try out a variety of spices and herbs.
The flavorful results will definitely amaze you!
What type of side dishes go well with a tautog recipe?
In addition to the herbs and spices used in this recipe, other side dishes that are perfect for a tautog recipe include:
- Rice
- Corn on the cob
- Cornbread
- Mashed potatoes
Are there any health benefits associated with eating a tautog recipe?
There are a few health benefits associated with eating a tautog recipe.
The fact that fish is lean, low-fat and contains omega-3 fatty acids is one of the reasons why tautog is so beneficial for your diet.
Omega-3s are known for their ability to aid in regulating blood sugar levels, heart health, joint function and healthy brain function (including memory).
In addition, tautog is loaded with vitamin B12 and omega-3s.
As such, it can benefit your diet greatly!
A study published by the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that omega-3 rich foods can improve memory among older adults and also improve visual motor skills among those suffering from age related cognitive decline.
What are some creative ways to serve a tautog recipe?
To make tautog more manageable for your tailgating guests, wrap the fish in parchment paper.
It can be a bit messy when eaten as an appetizer, but it does help with portion control.
If you want to serve it for dinner, use a sharp knife to cut the fish into smaller portions, making it easier and more enjoyable for your guests.
The fish is a great recipe to add to your seafood collection if you are looking to transition from your typical entrée to something a bit different.
You can pair it with any type of grain, such as rice or quinoa, and keep yourself on track with what goes well with each dish.
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tautog fillet 8oz
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cumin
- 1 teaspoon thyme or oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the blackfish fillet with cold water.
- In a small bowl, combine the spices and coat the fish completely.
- Heat the butter in a skillet (it must be very hot) and add the fish. Cook for 4 minutes on one side and another 3 minutes on the other.
- Transfer to a plate and drizzle with lemon juice. Serve
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.