At all times, there have been special, delicious products in cooking. The eel can certainly be classified as one of them. Fish is not cheap. Prices are steep, but this is understandable - eel rare guest in our lakes and rivers. Everyone knows that an eel looks like a snake, but there are so many mysterious, sometimes difficult to explain, facts in the behavior of this interesting fish, few people know.

Let's start with the fact that before getting into the rivers, conger eel larvae travel with the Gulf Stream to the shores of Europe for about 3 years. And this is about 8000 kilometers. Growing up during this time, the fish turn from glass eels into real eels. Having lived in rivers for 5 to 12 years, they then set off again on a long and difficult journey - to the Sargasso Sea, the only spawning ground for eels in the world, to which they have been faithful for hundreds of thousands of years, to lay several million eggs and die. It turns out that life is not only hard for people.

In fresh rivers and lakes of Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic countries, Belarus lives european eel, also breeding in the Sargasso Sea. Some eels penetrate into the Dniester, Danube, Don, Dnieper through the Mramornoe, Mediterranean and Black Sea. Others, through the Baltic Sea, enter the basins of Pripyat, Western Bug, Shatsk Lakes in Volyn and Lake Beloye in the Rivne region.

Their ability to travel long distances on land on wet grass helps them move from one body of water to another. For breeding eels in our fish farms, larvae of European vitreous eels are purchased from countries Western Europe or American eel larvae imported from Cuba. On the Shatsk Lakes, eels are caught at night using a harpoon, diving to depths with scuba gear.

The eel is a resident of flowing lakes and rivers. Another interesting thing is that female eels usually live in fresh waters, while male eels prefer brackish and salt water. The length of the eel can reach 2 meters, weighing from 2 to 5 kg. Leads only night look life. During the day it burrows into the muddy soil, sometimes penetrating up to 1.5 m. A caught eel is practically impossible to hold in your hands. He is slippery, strong, resourceful. On the ground, it bends like a snake and moves quite quickly.

Chemical composition and beneficial properties of eel

The chemical composition, content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates are slightly different between river and sea eels. Sea eel has more protein, iodine, but less calories (up to 100 kcal) and fat, while river eel has slightly less protein, but much more fat and almost 3 times more calories. Iron, phosphorus and potassium are almost equal in both types. Due to the high content of iodine, potassium (272 mg), phosphorus (216 mg), eating eel meat (especially sea eel) prevents diseases of the thyroid gland and atherosclerosis. To preserve these trace elements, eel should be boiled rather than fried.

Smoked eel dishes are especially useful for men, as eel contains unsaturated fatty acids, which help rejuvenate the body and give men strength. It won’t hurt women either - it also rejuvenates their cells, reduces wrinkles, restores hair shine and strengthens nails.

Eel is also useful for restoring strength after illness (100% digestibility of its proteins). Vitamins (A, groups B, D, E) restore vision and work as antioxidants, preventing cancer. However, you should limit the consumption of eel if you have liver and gallbladder diseases and overweight bodies.

Recipes for dishes with eel

Exist great amount eel recipes around the world. It has tender, fatty meat. The most delicious eels are those with a silver belly. Eel is wonderful dietary product. Eel can be fried, stewed, baked and smoked, but experts say that the aromatic fish soup overshadows all dishes.

In Great Britain, on the River Thames, there is an island called Il Pie, known to many in the world for its eel pies. In Italy, freshly filleted eel is grilled and served with lettuce. In Lithuania, smoked eel is served with beer.

Smoked eel is delicious on its own with a piece of bread, but eel in salads will excite not only your imagination, but also your taste buds. Try it and you will understand it. Smoked eel can be bought in supermarkets today.

When cutting fresh eel- be careful, make sure that his blood does not get on the skin if you have abrasions and cracks. It might start inflammatory process, since his blood contains toxic substances.

1. Smoked eel salad

To prepare it you will need potatoes (4 pieces), 4 eggs, a small bell pepper (1 piece), a bunch of parsley, a bunch of green lettuce, 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar (you can use regular vinegar), 1 tbsp. spoon olive oil, pepper and salt to taste and the most important ingredient - 200 g of smoked eel.

Boil the potatoes, peel and cut into slices. Boil the eggs, peel, cut each into 6 - 8 pieces. Cut the pepper into slices. Chop the parsley. Cut the eel fillet into small pieces. Place lettuce leaves on a dish, and on them put potato slices, pieces of eel, eggs, salt and pepper, sprinkle with a mixture of olive oil and vinegar, and sprinkle with parsley on top.

2. Eel soup.

Sauté in a saucepan 1 clove of garlic, 1 onion, 2 bell peppers in vegetable oil. Add 2 tsp. tomato paste, dill and parsley, 250 ml each of water and white wine. After the mixture boils, add peeled and cut into pieces eel, spices and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat. Pour chopped dill into the soup poured into bowls.

Acne in dietary nutrition

In dietary nutrition, it is difficult to do without tender conger eel fillet with a calorie content of 100 kcal and a relatively low percentage of fat content, unlike river eel (up to 30% fat).

Dietary salads with eel - light, low-calorie, nutritious - will simply create a sensation at your party among your friends. And you can surprise your loved one with a fish dish made from eel, prepared by you yourself.

An abundance of greens and vegetables will enrich the body with vitamins and minerals. Diet salads with mayonnaise, ketchup and other store-bought sauces are simply incompatible. They will contain olive, sesame, grape, corn oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, mustard, sour cream.

1. Diet salad with eel.

Cut 120 grams of smoked eel into thin slices. Add fried and chopped pine nuts - 40g, chopped arugula - 100g, halved cherry tomatoes. Place everything on lettuce and season with a mixture of honey (50g) and soy sauce (20g). You can sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

2. Diet salad with avocado and eel.

For the salad you will need: avocado – 1 piece, smoked eel – ½ piece, fresh cucumber– 2 pcs., rice – 4 tbsp. spoons, green onions - 1 bunch, sesame seeds - 1 teaspoon.

For the sauce – 200g. Cut the ginger into thin strips and place in a saucepan. Add 2 hours. spoons of sugar, 2 tbsp. spoons of soy sauce and 4 tbsp. spoons of rice vinegar (or plain). Warm up over low heat. When the sugar is completely dissolved, add 1 teaspoon of wasabi, stir and remove from the stove.

Boil rice in salted water, rinse with water. Cut the peeled avocado into small cubes, removing the pit first. Remove the skin from the eel, cut along the ridge and remove the bones. Cut into small cubes. Peel the cucumber and cut into strips. Mix all ingredients, add chopped green onions and pour ginger dressing over the salad. At the last moment, sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds.

Complete proteins, which are absorbed almost completely, also make up the value of eel. This makes it useful in restoring strength after illness. Vitamins help preserve vision and work as antioxidants - substances that prevent cancer.

You can also use eel to prevent rickets and maintain health. if the disease has already manifested itself.

Recipes with eel

Eel soup

Products:

• acne– 500 g
• onions – 1 pc.
• garlic – 1 clove
• bell pepper - 2 pcs
• vegetable oil - a third of a glass
• tomato paste – 2 tsp.
• white wine – 250 ml. (preferably tart)
• water – 250 ml.
• A bunch of dill and parsley, pepper and salt.

Preparation:

Clean the fish and cut into 5 cm pieces. Simmer the garlic, onion and pepper in vegetable oil in a thick-bottomed pan. Then add tomato paste, bunches of herbs, water and wine. After boiling, add pieces of fish, spices and simmer for half an hour over low heat. Before pouring into plates, remove the greens and add a little chopped dill to the soup.

Eel in red wine

Products:

• – 600 g
• Onions – 1 pc.
• Red table wine – 1 glass
• Flour – 1 tbsp.
• Oil – 2 tbsp.
• Parsley – 10 g
• Bay leaf, cloves.
• Salt.

Preparation:

Place chopped onion and parsley in a thick-bottomed pan and add spices. Place the fish cut into pieces on top and pour red wine over everything. Add a glass of water, salt and cover the pan with a lid. Cook after boiling for 15 minutes.
After this, put the fish out and prepare a sauce from the liquid. To do this, heat the flour in a frying pan until it turns light brown, dilute it with enough liquid remaining after boiling the fish and add oil. Boil the sauce and strain.
Place the boiled eel on a dish, pour over the sauce and serve with a side dish of boiled potatoes.

Baked eel

Products:

• – 500 g
• Butter – 2 tbsp.
• Salt.

Preparation:

This dish can be prepared from whole fish or from individual pieces of eel. The fish must first be rubbed with salt on all sides and placed in a cool place for 1 hour. If liquid has formed, wipe the fish, grease well with oil, place in a baking dish and bake in the oven. When baking, the fish should be basted with draining brine from time to time.

Navy eel

Products:

• Acne- 500 g
• Flour - half a glass
• Onion – 1 pc.
• Vegetable oil – 5 tbsp.
• Vinegar 3% - 1 glass
• Salt, pepper, bay leaf.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS

Nutritional value and chemical composition "River eel".

The table shows the nutritional content (calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals) per 100 grams of edible portion.

Nutrient	Quantity	Norm**	% of the norm in 100 g	% of the norm in 100 kcal	100% normal
Calorie content	333 kcal	1684 kcal	19.8%	5.9%	506 g
Squirrels	14.5 g	76 g	19.1%	5.7%	524 g
Fats	30.5 g	60 g	50.8%	15.3%	197 g
Water	54 g	2400 g	2.3%	0.7%	4444 g
Ash	1 g	~
Vitamins
Vitamin A, RE	1200 mcg	900 mcg	133.3%	40%	75 g
Retinol	1.2 mg	~
Vitamin B1, thiamine	0.1 mg	1.5 mg	6.7%	2%	1500 g
Vitamin B2, riboflavin	0.15 mg	1.8 mg	8.3%	2.5%	1200 g
Vitamin B4, choline	65 mg	500 mg	13%	3.9%	769 g
Vitamin B5, pantothenic	0.24 mg	5 mg	4.8%	1.4%	2083 g
Vitamin B6, pyridoxine	0.067 mg	2 mg	3.4%	1%	2985 g
Vitamin B9, folates	15 mcg	400 mcg	3.8%	1.1%	2667 g
Vitamin B12, cobalamin	3 mcg	3 mcg	100%	30%	100 g
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid	1 mg	90 mg	1.1%	0.3%	9000 g
Vitamin D, calciferol	23.3 mcg	10 mcg	233%	70%	43 g
Vitamin E, alpha tocopherol, TE	5 mg	15 mg	33.3%	10%	300 g
Vitamin RR, NE	5.3 mg	20 mg	26.5%	8%	377 g
Niacin	3.2 mg	~
Macronutrients
Potassium, K	230 mg	2500 mg	9.2%	2.8%	1087 g
Calcium, Ca	20 mg	1000 mg	2%	0.6%	5000 g
Magnesium, Mg	30 mg	400 mg	7.5%	2.3%	1333 g
Sodium, Na	70 mg	1300 mg	5.4%	1.6%	1857
Sera, S	150 mg	1000 mg	15%	4.5%	667 g
Phosphorus, Ph	220 mg	800 mg	27.5%	8.3%	364 g
Chlorine, Cl	60 mg	2300 mg	2.6%	0.8%	3833 g
Microelements
Iron, Fe	0.38 mg	18 mg	2.1%	0.6%	4737 g
Yod, I	20 mcg	150 mcg	13.3%	4%	750 g
Cobalt, Co	20 mcg	10 mcg	200%	60.1%	50 g
Manganese, Mn	0.03 mg	2 mg	1.5%	0.5%	6667 g
Copper, Cu	70 mcg	1000 mcg	7%	2.1%	1429 g
Molybdenum, Mo	4 mcg	70 mcg	5.7%	1.7%	1750 g
Nickel, Ni	6 mcg	~
Selenium, Se	6.5 mcg	55 mcg	11.8%	3.5%	846 g
Fluorine, F	160 mcg	4000 mcg	4%	1.2%	2500 g
Chromium, Cr	55 mcg	50 mcg	110%	33%	91 g
Zinc, Zn	0.5 mg	12 mg	4.2%	1.3%	2400 g
Sterols (sterols)
Cholesterol	140 mg	max 300 mg
Saturated fatty acids
Saturated fatty acids	6.3 g	max 18.7 g
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids	0.653 g	from 0.9 to 3.7 g	72.6%	21.8%
Omega-6 fatty acids	0.291 g	from 4.7 to 16.8 g	6.2%	1.9%

Energy value River eel is 333 kcal.

Main source: Skurikhin I.M. and others. Chemical composition of food products. .

** This table shows the average levels of vitamins and minerals for an adult. If you want to know the norms taking into account your gender, age and other factors, then use the My Healthy Diet app.

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Most foods may not contain the full range of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is important to eat a variety of foods to meet the body's needs for vitamins and minerals.

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Ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates:

Knowing the contribution of proteins, fats and carbohydrates to calorie content, you can understand how well a product or diet meets the standards healthy eating or the requirements of a certain diet. For example, the US and Russian Departments of Health recommend 10-12% of calories come from protein, 30% from fat and 58-60% from carbohydrates. The Atkins diet recommends low carbohydrate intake, although other diets focus on low fat intake.

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USEFUL PROPERTIES OF RIVER EEL

River eel rich in vitamins and minerals such as: vitamin A - 133.3%, choline - 13%, vitamin B12 - 100%, vitamin D - 233%, vitamin E - 33.3%, vitamin PP - 26.5%, phosphorus - 27.5%, iodine - 13.3%, cobalt - 200%, selenium - 11.8%, chromium - 110%

What are the benefits of river eel?

• Vitamin A responsible for normal development, reproductive function, skin and eye health, and maintaining immunity.
• Kholin is part of lecithin, plays a role in the synthesis and metabolism of phospholipids in the liver, is a source of free methyl groups, and acts as a lipotropic factor.
• Vitamin B12 plays important role in the metabolism and transformation of amino acids. Folate and vitamin B12 are interconnected vitamins that are involved in hematopoiesis. A lack of vitamin B12 leads to the development of partial or secondary folate deficiency, as well as anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
• Vitamin D maintains homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus, carries out mineralization processes bone tissue. A lack of vitamin D leads to impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the bones, increased demineralization of bone tissue, which leads to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, is necessary for the functioning of the gonads and heart muscle, and is a universal stabilizer cell membranes. With vitamin E deficiency, hemolysis of erythrocytes and neurological disorders are observed.
• Vitamin PP participates in redox reactions of energy metabolism. Insufficient vitamin intake is accompanied by a violation of the normal state skin, gastro- intestinal tract and nervous system.
• Phosphorus takes part in many physiological processes, including energy metabolism, regulates acid-base balance, is part of phospholipids, nucleotides and nucleic acids, necessary for the mineralization of bones and teeth. Deficiency leads to anorexia, anemia, and rickets.
• Iodine participates in the functioning of the thyroid gland, ensuring the formation of hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine). Necessary for the growth and differentiation of cells of all tissues of the human body, mitochondrial respiration, regulation of transmembrane transport of sodium and hormones. Insufficient intake leads to endemic goiter with hypothyroidism and slow metabolism, arterial hypotension, stunting and mental development in children.
• Cobalt is part of vitamin B12. Activates enzymes of fatty acid metabolism and folic acid metabolism.
• Selenium- an essential element of the antioxidant defense system of the human body, has an immunomodulatory effect, participates in the regulation of the action of thyroid hormones. Deficiency leads to Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthritis with multiple deformities of the joints, spine and limbs), Keshan disease (endemic myocardiopathy), and hereditary thrombasthenia.
• Chromium participates in the regulation of blood glucose levels, enhancing the effect of insulin. Deficiency leads to decreased glucose tolerance.

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Vitamins, organic matter, necessary in small quantities in the diet of both humans and most vertebrates. Vitamin synthesis is usually carried out by plants, not animals. A person's daily requirement for vitamins is only a few milligrams or micrograms. Unlike inorganic substances, vitamins are destroyed by strong heat. Many vitamins are unstable and are “lost” during cooking or food processing.

The eel family consists of several species. In appearance, their differences are insignificant. Their difference mainly lies in their habitat. The most famous representative This family is considered to be the river eel. In many countries, this species of the eel family is considered a delicacy. But due to the unappetizing appearance of the eel, not everyone will agree to taste it. But in vain, since it contains a huge amount useful minerals and proteins that can strengthen human immunity.

Description

In appearance, the river eel can be narrow-headed and blunt-snouted. Fish belongs to the family of predators. Unfortunately, this fish has not been fully studied. The river eel is characterized by:

The river eel has small scales on its body. Their size is so small that they are almost invisible . In exceptional cases, body length fish can exceed 2 meters. As a rule, the standard body length of a fish is 1 meter. Females are slightly longer than males. Usually 5–10 centimeters. The weight of mature fish can reach 6 kilograms. The river eel gains weight throughout its life. Therefore, it is generally accepted that the older the fish, the more it weighs.

River eels have a predominantly dark green back. There are individuals with a brownish tint. The belly area is always light. As they reach maturity, individuals acquire a more saturated color on their backs, and their bellies become lighter.

Do not forget that in addition to the river eel, there is also sea ​​eel. What distinguishes him from his brother is larger size. Its weight can reach 100 kilograms, and its body length can be more than 3 meters. Just like its river brother, sea ​​predator, an elongated body that is completely devoid of scales. As a rule, the head, with thick lips, is slightly wider than the end of the body. Almost all individuals of this species have a brown back. Light belly when hit sunlight, reflected with a golden glow. There is a dark colored line on the tail of the conger eel, giving the conger eel a distinctive outline. It is worth noting that the tail is much lighter than the entire body.

Habitat

This predatory fish appeared more than 100 million years ago in the vast ocean near Indonesia. Initially, the eel was exclusively sea ​​fish. But over time, the eel began to spread throughout the world and began to live in rivers and lakes. By their specificity, rivers are considered an intermediate habitat. River eels , as well as marine ones, are mainly distributed in rivers that flow into the following seas:

Besides listed seas, eels are located in many lakes and ponds. Largest number individuals live in the Baltic Sea.

River eel fish can be found in reservoirs With big amount mud. The most favorite habitat is an area overgrown with reeds. The fish have unique ability: it is capable of crawling over land from one body of water to another. Thus, the eel can reach the closed lake. The fish feels great out of water due to its skin, which can absorb oxygen.

The fish mainly live in bodies of water with a small current, but sometimes they can be found in fast-flowing rivers. The eel prefers swimming in the lower areas of water bodies.

Reproduction

For a long time, the process of reproduction of these animals was a mystery to everyone. No one has ever seen what their caviar looks like. But, at the end of the nineteenth century, scientists proved that the process of their reproduction occurs in exactly the same way as in all other fish. Appearance eggs are significantly different from their parents. Therefore, for some time they were considered a separate species and even gave it a name - leptocephalus.

The fertilization period begins at the 9th year of life of individuals. It is at this time that a male can be distinguished from a female. Fish go to the sea to spawn. In thickets of Sargassum algae, descending to a depth of 400 meters, the reproduction process begins. It is worth noting that the water temperature for the fertilization process should not be less than 14 degrees and not exceed 18 degrees. Basically, the female lays 500 thousand larvae. After the end of spawning, the eel dies.

The size of the eggs does not exceed 1 millimeter. The body of the larva is completely transparent. Its shape resembles a leaf compressed on the sides. To become a full-fledged fish, the larva must go through several stages:

After the larva has become a full-fledged fish, it lives for a maximum of 15 years. After which it leaves for spawning, where inevitable death awaits it.

Characteristic behavioral features

By nature, fish are predators. It is mainly active at night. Juveniles most time spend on the coast, while already adult individuals try to go closer to the bottom, where, burrowing into the ground, they hide from daylight. The depth of the shelter can be up to 80 centimeters. Mostly fish choose muddy areas as shelter, trying to avoid rocky soil.

When night falls, eels come out of their hiding places and go hunting. Fish move quite slowly, as do snakes. They can move on land only if it is wet. Poor vision is compensated by an excellent sense of smell. They are able to smell prey at a distance of up to 20 meters.

River fish live in water enriched with oxygen. Animals are becoming more active in early spring and lead an active lifestyle until frost sets in. With the onset of cold weather, fish hibernate. It looks as if there are driftwood sticking out of the ground. Moreover, only the head is in the form of a snag, while the rest of the body is securely hidden in its shelter. After the end of the cold season, eels become active again and begin to search for food.

Very often you can meet this predator in reservoirs where pikes live. This fish is the most delicious treat. Carp caviar is also a favorite dish. After living in a reservoir for about 5 years, the predator acquires the ability to hunt from cover. The fish eats all the prey it catches at the bottom.

The eel is an unusual predatory fish; in appearance it looks like a snake, the body is cylindrical in shape, the tail is slightly flattened on the sides. Compared to others predatory fish the eel has a small head and small mouth sharp teeth. The fish is covered with a layer of mucus, the scales are small and oblong in shape. The back of the eel is brown or black, the sides are somewhat lighter, the belly is white or yellowish. Eels are found both in the sea and in fresh water.

According to some assumptions, eels appeared on the planet more than 100 million years ago in the region of Indonesia, after which unique fish expanded its range and settled in the area of ​​the Japanese archipelago, and was especially common in Lake Hamanaka. The fish is very tenacious, able to tolerate lack of water, and can survive on a small amount of moisture for some time. There are currently 18 species of eel in the world.

The river eel is a migratory fish; it differs from sturgeon and salmon species in that during the spawning period it leaves fresh water bodies and goes to the ocean. Only in the last century, experts discovered that the eel breeds in the warm Sargasso Sea, which washes the shores North America and islands South America. After spawning, the adults die, and the larvae they lay powerful current set off on a long journey to the shores of Europe. Note that the movement of the larvae can last about 3 years, so that by the end of the journey they become small glassy fish.

The “daily routine” of the eel is also interesting: the fish feeds only in the warm season; with the onset of cold weather, it buries itself in the ground, leaving only its head outside. Eels hunt at night, their main food being small animals that live in the mule: worms, larvae, crustaceans, snails and others. It feasts on eels and the eggs of other fish. At the age of 4-5 years, the eel is already able to eat small fish (ruff, roach, perch), which live at the bottom of reservoirs. After living in fresh water for several years (9-12), the eel rushes back to the ocean, moving along rivers and canals. There are many known cases where fish got into hydraulic structures, and this is fraught with emergency situations. However, eels can bypass such obstacles, moving like reptiles on land.

The taste qualities of eel are known in many countries. This fish can be fried, dried, boiled, smoked. In many fine restaurants, delicious smoked eel is served as a sumptuous main course.

Composition and beneficial properties

Eel is not only tasty, but also healthy food, because it contains up to 30% fat. High Quality, as well as 15% proteins, a large number of vitamins and minerals. Eel meat contains vitamins A, groups B, D and E. The proteins contained in eel have a beneficial effect on the human body.

A little-known fact - in Japan, the demand for eel meat increases with the onset of summer, as this is one of the ways to cope well with the heat and relieve fatigue from it, and is especially loved by the residents of the country Rising Sun eel kebab. Conger eel meat contains large amounts of fish oil, which is known to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In addition, conger eel is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and sodium, which the body needs. Smoked conger eel is also loved by the Japanese for its large amount of vitamin A, which is often called the beauty vitamin, since it prevents skin aging and eye diseases. Eel can be called the number 1 product for the male half of humanity, since the substances it contains improve men's health.

It is worth noting useful qualities eel liver, which is prepared separately from meat, is most often used for preparing first courses. Of course, eel - expensive fish and for most people is not available on the weekly menu, however, in holidays it will become a magnificent dish that will be appreciated by family and guests. Cooked eel can easily be presented as a gift; such a dish will be an equivalent replacement for a bottle of exquisite, expensive wine. There are a large number of recipes for cooking eel, most often these are soups, salads with the addition of smoked eel and various versions of baked fish.