SPECIES

Tilefish

Malacanthidae

Those of you who used to watch Iron Chef may recognise this fish from the introduction to each episode, where it took pride of place on the table of premium Japanese ingredients. In Kyoto, a signature dish is to marinade portions of Tilefish fillet (skin on) in sweet miso before grilling over coals. This process firms up the soft flesh and highlights the inherent clarity and sweetness that this fish has in spades.

Fortunately, Australia also has a few species of Tilefish that make it to market. You can use them interchangeably in recipes so we’re grouping them together here. Tilefish is one of Sydney Fish Market’s most expensive auction species (at nearly triple the average fish value) and this is because local Japanese chefs compete amongst themselves for the few hundred kilos sold annually. Not that you’re likely to see it on their menus though... The Tilefish is of such significance that generally the chefs eat it themselves! If you’re lucky enough to see one at a retailer, buy it - it’s worth every penny.

DIVE DEEPER

COMMERCIAL NAME

Tilefish

Method of Capture

Trawl

Region

Northern Australia

Other names

Golden Bass, Golden Snapper, Rainbow Tilefish, Golden Tilefish.

Scientific Family

Malacanthidae

Seasonality

Rarely caught - if you see it, buy it!

Size

Maximum length of 26.6 cm, usually around 15-20cm.

Price range

High

Alternative Species

There are few things quite like it, but Whitings probably come the closest.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

SHOPPING TIPS

Sold whole (gilled and gutted) and in fillet form. In whole fish look for lustrous skin, firm flesh, and a pleasant, fresh sea smell. In fillets, look for white, firm, lustrous, moist flesh without any brown markings or oozing water and with a pleasant fresh sea smell.

STORAGE TIPS

Make sure whole fish is scaled, gilled, gutted and cleaned thoroughly. Lay whole fish or fillets, in a single layer on a plate and cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze whole fish for up to 6 months, and fillets for up to 3 months, below -18ºC.

COOKING TIPS

Keep it simple, to let the flavour of the fish shine. Due to its crustacean-heavy diet, Tilefish tastes sweet and quite similar to crab or prawns.

COOKING METHODS

Pan-frying, barbecuing, or baking work beautifully.

Flavour pairings

Miso, soy, ginger, garlic, ginger, butter, parsley.

IMPORTS

No.

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INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

5 Deep-Sea Fish To Try Before You Die

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar (what is looks like pre flip)

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
2 golden shallots, very finely diced Rock salt, for serving
 12 freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters Chervil sprigs, for garnishing

METHOD:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir in shallot.

5 Deep-Sea Fish To Try Before You Die

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar

Oysters With Shallot Vinegar (what is looks like pre flip)

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

Consectetuer Adipiscin

Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.

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