Chilean
Sea Bass are not really bass but Patagonian Toothfish, a large slow growing species first
harvested in the early 1980's by Chilean long-liners working the continental shelf in
depths of 6,000 feet. These are big fish - headed and gutted can still weigh upwards of
100lbs although market size is typically 20-40lbs. It is almost always sole re-freshed,
usually meaning the product was frozen at sea and thawed out. This is always a superior
product to a true fresh product which would have had to have been out of the water for
close to two weeks before it could reach a plate or counter in most North American cities.
Chilean
Sea Bass has a rich, melt in your mouth flavor. The moderately oily fish is tender and
moist with large, thick flakes. Meat from raw Chilean Sea Bass is snow white and remains
that when cooked. It is an excellent fish for almost all preparations and is very
difficult to overcook. |