In order to pan-sear fish properly; you will need to have certain pieces of
cooking equipment. First things first, you need to have a proper pan that has
adequate room for your fish to cook without placing pieces together. It does
not matter whether you use non-stick or metal pans, just make sure the you use
more oil when using a metal one though. Then you will need a fish spatula.
This spatula is elongated in the front so it looks longer than most other
spatulas. The reason to use this spatula is that it will help maintain the
structural integrity of the fish and not have it break up.
After you make sure that you have all of the proper equipment, you can buy the fish. To prepare a simple fish, just take salt, pepper, and an herb mixture and rub onto the fish. Let it sit for around 10 minutes or not at all and you are ready to cook.
To begin cooking, place oil (amount dependent on size of fish) into the pan and heat on medium to medium-high setting. Once the oil has heated up, when it begins to smoke, then you can place the fish in the pan, bottom side down to start. The time to cook the fish will change depending on the size of the fish and the type of fish, i.e., a heavier fish like salmon will take longer to cook than tilapia or sole. Once the fish is halfway done, you can tell by the color on the side of the fish, and then it is time for the dreaded flip.
BE CAREFUL! This step can be very tricky and if done improperly, the fish will break. Before you flip the fish, insert the spatula as far as you can under the fish. Then lift the fish up so that you have enough room to flip it, and in one swift motion, turn over the fish and place in the pan. Oil may splatter at this point so be careful. If this step is done properly, then all you have to d o is wait for the fish to cook to the desired temperature and you can remove it form the pan.
This is all you have to do to pan cook fish. Understand that throughout this process, the fish will be very delicate so always treat the fish carefully.
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After you make sure that you have all of the proper equipment, you can buy the fish. To prepare a simple fish, just take salt, pepper, and an herb mixture and rub onto the fish. Let it sit for around 10 minutes or not at all and you are ready to cook.
To begin cooking, place oil (amount dependent on size of fish) into the pan and heat on medium to medium-high setting. Once the oil has heated up, when it begins to smoke, then you can place the fish in the pan, bottom side down to start. The time to cook the fish will change depending on the size of the fish and the type of fish, i.e., a heavier fish like salmon will take longer to cook than tilapia or sole. Once the fish is halfway done, you can tell by the color on the side of the fish, and then it is time for the dreaded flip.
BE CAREFUL! This step can be very tricky and if done improperly, the fish will break. Before you flip the fish, insert the spatula as far as you can under the fish. Then lift the fish up so that you have enough room to flip it, and in one swift motion, turn over the fish and place in the pan. Oil may splatter at this point so be careful. If this step is done properly, then all you have to d o is wait for the fish to cook to the desired temperature and you can remove it form the pan.
This is all you have to do to pan cook fish. Understand that throughout this process, the fish will be very delicate so always treat the fish carefully.
