Lately my family have gone off meat finding pork bland, lamb fatty and steak tough. So I decided to turn to the ocean for meal inspiration. As a child the humble fishfinger was the extent of my fish eating. Now I love fish, influenced by the abundance of variety available in Mediterranean fish markets.
Fish has a range of health benefits. We should be eating at least two portions a week including oily fish. White fish are extremely low in fat. Oily fish are a good source of vitamin D which aid the bodies absorption of calcium, and enhances the immune system. It is also rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help prevent heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and some cancers. Consumption of oily fish also improves vision and memory. Pregnant and breast feeding women should include a portion a week of oily fish, because it helps the development of babies nervous system. However no more than two portions a week are recommended, because they contain low levels of pollutants called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, which build up in the body and can affect foetal development. Dioxins are toxic. Humans exposure occurs through animal products, including fish. Extreme exposure can cause skin lesions and damage to the immune system. Most fish contain traces of mercury so consumption should be limited.
Fish in Foil
Preheat oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Peel and thinly slice 1 red onion. Deseed 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green bell pepper and chop into quarters. Peel and crush 4 cloves of garlic. Grate a 1cm piece of ginger. Share the vegetables and ginger between 4 sheets of foil and top with a fish fillet of choice. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and fold into parcels. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Alternatively these fish parcels are great cooked on a barbecue or open fire.
