Flounder: benefits and harm to the human body

Flounder is known throughout the world. It is found in both fresh and salt waters. Her meat is very tasty and healthy.

What does flounder look like and where is it found?

Flounder is a fish with a very interesting body shape, due to which its vital activity takes place at the bottom of the reservoir. This is a predatory representative, it is very easy to recognize because of some features:

1. The location of the eyes of this fish is special. They are located on the upper part of her body. Since they are shifted in one direction, the asymmetry of the body of the fish is very clear.
2. The upper and lower parts of the flounder have a different color: the lower is always light, the upper - depending on its variety.
3. A fin is located around the perimeter of the flounder. But besides him, there are also chest fins.
4. The tail of this fish is short and slightly forked.
5. Flounder females are larger than males. The size of an adult fish can reach 1 m.

Kinds

Everyone has heard of such fish as flounder, but few people know how many of its varieties exist in nature. And each of these species has distinctive features - color and habitat. More about flounder species:

1. Royal. Fish of this species have an original body shape and color. The meat of the royal flounder is tender, soft and completely non-greasy. People who are on the right diet or a strict diet, prefer this particular type. Royal flounder contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their beneficial effects on the body. There are no small bones in it, so it is suitable for baby food.
2. Far Eastern. This name is, rather, a generalization of several subspecies of flatfish that live in the waters of the Far East. Sizes range from 30 cm to 1 m. The fish easily changes color to fit the environment, which protects it from larger predators and helps in hunting for prey. It contains iodine and balanced proteins.
3. Spotted. This is a freshwater variety that is found in rivers, and propagates precisely in sea waters. The name of this species is relevant because of the brown spots that cover her body. Spotted flounder is an excellent masker, it adapts to the environment, changing its color and even covering with additional spots. The average weight of an adult fish is about 3 kg; the meat of spotted flounder is juicy and tender.
4. Two-tone. This is the only one of the flounder, which refers to the ray-shaped species. Adult individuals reach a length of half a meter. Two-color flounder loves sandy soil, but also lives in mud. The genius of camouflage, she knows how to disguise so that it is almost impossible to notice among the underwater flora and fauna.
5. Kamchatka. It also has another name - sugar flounder due to the taste characteristics of fish meat. Lives off the coast of Kamchatka. It is also called yellow-bellied or four-humped flounder. Her color is characteristic: the underside of a lemon or light brown color, and the side on which the eyes are located is green or brown, sometimes with dark spots. The length of adult fish reaches 40 cm. The meat of such a flounder is considered the most delicious and most valuable among the rest.
6. Baltic. Contains many vitamins and minerals, is a river species. A small scallop is located behind the eyes, and small tubercles can be observed throughout the body.The meat of the Baltic flounder is tasty and contains omega-3 acids.
7. Murmansk. This species is often called flounder ruff. Externally, this flounder does not differ from other fish of the Far Eastern species, however, the taste of meat is significantly distinguishable. All this is due to the diet of fish, which feeds on mollusks, sea urchins and crustaceans. The meat of the Murmansk flounder is white.
8. Synecorae. Also known as fat flounder, it lives in the Pacific Ocean. Deep-sea fish whose meat is the strongest antioxidant. Bluefish flounder fillet has a pleasant, pronounced aroma. This species is often consumed dried, as a snack for various drinks.
9. North. White-bellied flounder, which lives exclusively in salt water. The lateral line of this species is distinctive from others and is curved in front of the body of the fish. Fins without spots and stripes characteristic of other species. Despite the unattractive color of the fish, its meat has a high palatability and is great for cold smoking.

What is the difference between flounder and halibut

Halibut and flounder are very similar, as both fish belong to the same family.

1. Both species also have a flat body structure and eyes located on its upper part.
2. Halibut has a longer body and its left eye is on the edge of the head, while flounder has both eyes on one side and is located very close.
3. The color is also distinctive. The body of halibut is the same color on both sides; on the flounder, the lower side is always lighter than the upper.
4. Halibut is much larger than flounder and can reach up to 300 kg of weight.
5. Halibut meat is fatter, and flounder meat is often called "sea chicken" due to its dietary properties.

Composition and calorie content

In flounder, regardless of type, contains a lot of useful substances. For 100 g of product, fresh flounder meat contains only 83 kcal. It also contains B vitamins, which help restore and normalize metabolism. It contains riboflavin and vitamin A, which have a beneficial effect on vision. Vitamins E and C are also present in flounder. During the heat treatment, the calorie content of the fish changes. So, for example, 100 g of fried flounder contains 223 kcal, and boiled - 103.

It contains a lot of phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the composition contains nicotinic, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, B vitamins, including B12, as well as D, E and A. Flounder meat contains amino acids - glycine, threonine, aspartic acid.

Useful properties of flounder

General benefit

In the recipes of almost all diets, you can see such a component as flounder meat, because of the beneficial properties of this fish. The protein contained in flounder is quickly absorbed, and it is simply necessary for the human body. Thanks to amino acids, the body lowers blood cholesterol. Minerals, macro- and microelements, which also possess useful properties, are:

• convert glucose to energy;
• accelerate the healing process;
• strengthen bone tissue and have a beneficial effect on teeth;
• regulate the water-salt balance;
• contribute to the rejuvenation of the body;
• increase hemoglobin in the blood, physiological and brain activity;
• contribute to the functioning of enzymes.

The iodine contained in the meat of flounder enhances immunity. Some species of fish, including flounder, are excellent aphrodisiacs that increase sexual activity in both women and men.

Flounder is also used in the cosmetic industry - collagen is extracted from it, which protects and moisturizes the skin.

For women

For women, flounder is just a godsend. Not only does she have tasty meat, it’s also dietary, which makes it possible to keep a slim figure in shape. Also, the beneficial substances in its composition, favorably affect the skin, hair and nails. Polyunsaturated fats, which are found in flounder meat, contribute to the prevention of gynecological diseases.Regular consumption of flounder meat slows down the aging process and prevents the formation of wrinkles.

For men

Regular use of flounder in food affects the active production of sex hormones in men and increases their sexual activity. Flounder is rich in protein, so it is useful for the stronger sex who play sports to eat this miraculous fish. This helps stimulate muscle growth during muscle formation.

During pregnancy

For pregnant women, flounder is especially helpful. The high iodine content in the composition favorably affects the development of the fetus. Studies have shown that women who ate marine fish during pregnancy gave birth to children with significant mental potential.

When breastfeeding

Flounder meat is of great benefit during breastfeeding. After all, a nursing mother, like no one else, needs protein. And the protein contained in flounder is more easily digested than meat. Also, the use of mother dishes of flounder, which are incredibly useful, will contribute to the saturation of vitamins and the baby.

For kids

Flounder in the diet of children is an ideal product. Iodine deficiency can lead to a threat of thyroid disease, therefore it is recommended to give flounder meat to children at least once a week. In children up to a year, the endocrine system is still being formed. For this reason, it is not recommended to feed babies with flounder meat.

When losing weight

Fighting overweight is not an easy task. In order to get rid of it, you need not only physical activity, but also properly selected food products. Flounder can not only be eaten while losing weight, it must be included in the diet of losing weight people. Main reasons:

1. Low calorie product. 100 g of meat of this fish contains only 91 kcal, but about 40 percent of the daily protein intake is. Flounder meat perfectly saturates and speeds up the metabolism.
2. The content of vitamin B12 favorably affects the energy supply. More energy means more movement, and therefore calories are burned much faster than usual.
3. Scientists have found that all people who are overweight have an acute shortage of vitamin D, which is found in flounder meat.
4. Flounder contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent fat accumulation in the abdomen.

With diabetes

Nutritionists and endocrinologists recommend including fish in the diet of diabetics. Flounder is one of the top eight fish species suitable for people with diabetes. Flounder meat contains a large amount of protein, which is simply necessary for diabetics, and healthy fats. You should not include dried, smoked, salted and fried flounder in the menu of the diabetic. It is allowed to eat steamed, boiled, baked and stewed fish. Seafood aspic is not harmful.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease that requires strict adherence to a therapeutic diet for a very long time. If it is not observed, there will be no positive dynamics in the course of the disease, since medications are effective only in conjunction with proper nutrition.

With pancreatitis, only low-fat fish are allowed. Flounder fits this description perfectly. Despite the mass of useful substances contained in the composition of flounder meat, with pancreatitis, it is permissible to use only boiled fish or steamed fish. Minced steam cutlets are acceptable, but note that there should be a minimum amount of spices in this dish.

With gastritis

Fish is a very useful product, with a good composition and properties, but not all varieties are allowed for gastritis. Fish allowed in the diet of a patient with gastritis:

• sea ​​flounder;
• hake;
• pollock;
• sea ​​lemone;
• zander;
• pollock;
• navaga.

The listed species contain a minimal amount of fat, so they do not irritate the walls of the stomach.

From flounder you can prepare the following dishes for people suffering from gastritis: steam cutlets, fish broth, meatballs and fish soup. It is strictly forbidden to use dried, smoked, fried flounder, as well as pickled in vinegar.

With gout

People with gout are also required to eat diet, because one of the causes of gout pathology is improper metabolism. One of the most important components of a diet is fish products. It is forbidden to eat fish of fatty varieties. The use of flounder in the menu of people with gout is acceptable, but with an acute form, doctors recommend completely abandoning fish intake.

What is useful caviar flounder

Flounder caviar is just a storehouse of iron. Its regular use is recommended for both adults and children suffering from anemia. As you know, flounder contains a huge amount of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and B12 - and so in the caviar the content of these useful substances is much higher.

Harm and contraindications

Do not eat flounder meat for people who have allergies or individual intolerance to this product. It should be careful for those who suffer from chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys, because excessive consumption of flounder meat can worsen their health.

You always need to buy flounder meat only in trusted places where they will provide really high-quality goods. At the point of sale there should be environmental tests confirming the health of the fish put up for sale. Fish absorbs mercury or other harmful metals, which can have a deplorable effect on the health of those who eat it.

People with kidney failure should not include salted flounder in their diet because it retains fluid in the body and puts stress on the kidneys. It should be limited to boiled or baked on the grill meat. It is not recommended to eat dried flounder for those who suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Contraindications for use:

• hyperthyroidism;
• intolerance to protein components;
• allergy to seafood.

Smoked flounder is not useful; during smoking carcinogenic substances accumulate in it. You should also be careful with fried fish, as its fat content increases, which causes tremendous damage to the liver and intestines.

It is strictly forbidden to use flounder in dishes containing raw fish, because it is likely to become infected with helminths.

How to choose and store

When choosing a flounder, you should pay attention to its smell. The aroma should be smooth and without extraneous odorants. Fresh flounder has a uniform light color of meat. If the skin of the fish is sticky, you should not buy such a product, because there is a risk of purchasing a damaged product. The gills should be pink, then you can be sure of the freshness of seafood.

There is another method of testing fish for freshness - pressing a finger on the skin. If the carcass is stale, then after pressing the hole will remain on the fish. Fresh fish will not have a hole at all or it will fill up in seconds. You should choose elastic carcasses. It is important to understand that if there is no confidence in the freshness of fish, it is better not to buy it at all, because poisoning caused by stale seafood is one of the most difficult.

Ideally, flounder immediately cook after its acquisition. If there is a need for storage, then you need to do this in a large amount of ice. Ice should surround the fish on all sides. In this form, the fish can be stored, however, no more than two days.

How to clean flounder

Flounder is cleaned in an unusual way. The carcass is completely cleaned of the skin, but there is no need to remove the scales before this.Stages of cleaning flounder:

1. To start, wash with warm water.
2. After that cut off the fins.
3. With the help of the cuts formed from the cut of the fins, free the whole carcass from the skin, moving from the tail to the head.

The skin of the fish is able to accumulate specific odors, which will be noticeable during cooking, if the flounder is not cleaned. Small-sized fish sometimes fry with the skin.

To get the flounder fillet, you need to take fish cleaned of skin, make an incision near the head and stretch it along the back. So the carcass is divided in half, and the ridge is freely removed.

How to cook a flounder tasty: recipes

Fans of sea fish will appreciate dishes made from flounder. And no wonder, because along with the unsurpassed taste of such dishes, a high degree of benefit is also noted.

In the oven

Cooking flounder in the oven is very simple, and the dish is very tasty. Necessary ingredients: 2 medium-sized flounders, chicken egg, a tablespoon of rye flour, salt (preferably sea), olive oil.

First you need to prepare the fish for baking: cut the tail and fins, remove all the insides. If there is caviar in the abdomen, then it can also be used for baking or separate and cook another dish. Then cut off the head and rinse thoroughly flounder under cold water. Break the chicken egg into the bowl, add salt and beat with a whisk. If desired, fish spices can be added at this stage, but this is not necessary. While stirring the egg mixture, slowly add the flour. Dip the fish in batter and put on a baking sheet, pour the remaining egg mixture on top. After that, pour the flounder in batter with a small amount of olive oil and place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees. Cook for 15 minutes, serve with vegetables.

In the pan

The pan-fried flounder turns out to be very tasty and tender. There are absolutely no difficulties in cooking. Essential products: fish, flour, salt, ground pepper and cooking oil for frying. Put the carcass on a cutting board, remove the head, fins, insides and remove the scales. Then wash the flounder and cut into pieces. Add spices to the flour and mix. Heat the oil in a pan and, dipping each slice of flounder in the flour mixture, fry over medium heat until golden brown. Fried fish goes well with fresh vegetables.

In a slow cooker

Flounder - a very tasty and healthy product, ideal for cooking in a slow cooker. There are practically no bones in this fish, and during heat treatment flounder practically does not decrease in volume. For cooking in a slow cooker, you need the following ingredients: flounder - 2 pieces, 100 g of French mustard, 2 biscuit biscuits, breadcrumbs, vegetable oil and salt.

If the dish is prepared from frozen flounder, it is necessary that the carcass is completely thawed, and only then proceed with cooking. Cut the cleaned fish into pieces and salt. Add mustard, mix well and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Grind biscuits with biscuits and mix with breadcrumbs. Bread fish pieces in the resulting mixture. Pour vegetable oil into the slow cooker, set the mode to "Frying" and wait until the oil becomes hot. Put flounder pieces in hot oil and fry on both sides until cooked. Serve with herbs.

Grilled

This recipe is suitable for home cooking. Flounder meat is fragrant and very juicy. Foods needed: medium-sized flounder - 4 pieces, fish seasonings, 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 5 tablespoons of mayonnaise and lemon.

Clean the fish from scales and entrails, cut off the head and rinse well. Cut lengthwise into two parts, grate with salt and spices, then put in the refrigerator for half an hour. Fry fish on an electric grill, pre-lubricating it with vegetable oil. Frying time - 3-5 minutes on both sides. Serve hot, while serving flounder pour juice of freshly squeezed lemon.

On the grill

Having prepared the flounder on the grill at least once, you will want to repeat it again and again. It is very tasty to cook it on the grill with ginger, the dish turns out to be spicy and very tasty. Necessary products: 3 peeled flounder carcasses, lemon, a tablespoon of grated ginger, salt, black pepper, vegetable oil and any favorite seasonings for fish.

Rub the cleaned flounder with salt, spices and ginger. Fish should be infused in this marinade for at least two hours, if time permits, it is better to leave in the refrigerator for the night. Grill the grill with vegetable oil, put the flounder and grill over the coals, periodically turning the grid over. For readiness, 5 minutes of frying on one side is enough. Sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.

What can be cooked from flounder: recipes

Flounder dishes are quick to prepare, healthy and very tasty. There are many different recipes using the meat of this fish. This product is so compatible with others that it is almost impossible to spoil a plaice dish. The main thing is to turn on your imagination and experiment.

Cutlets

Juicy, magnificent flounder cutlets are very tasty. They are easy to prepare. They are useful, they can and even need to feed the children. Necessary ingredients: 600 g flatfish fillet, 25-30 g butter, long loaf, chicken egg, onion, 2 tablespoons semolina, a bunch of fresh dill, a teaspoon of paprika, breadcrumbs, any vegetable oil.

Fillet flounder to pass through a meat grinder along with a long loaf and onions. Do not soak the loaf in milk, you can grind it with a crust. Bulb is best to choose a large size. Onion gives juicy meatballs, so you need to add a lot. Add semolina, egg, finely chopped dill and soft butter to the resulting minced meat. After that, salt everything, pepper and mix into a homogeneous mass. Manka gives spice to the cutlets and absorbs excess moisture. Stuffing should stand for a while in the refrigerator, 30 minutes are enough. At this time, mix breadcrumbs with paprika. Cutlets breaded with this mixture are fragrant and crispy.

Form small meatballs from cool minced meat, roll in a breading mixture and fry in hot oil on both sides. After put on a baking sheet and bring to readiness in the oven for 10 minutes. When serving, cutlets can be decorated with a slice of lemon.

Soup

Fish soup is one of the most common dishes of Russian national cuisine. There are many recipes, but this one is especially good. To prepare it, you need such products: 1 kg of flounder, 0.5 l of water, 6 pieces of potatoes, 2 onions, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 50 g of butter, 2 garlic cloves, bay leaf, salt, black pepper and herbs.

Boil the water first, throwing spices and salt into it. At this time, peel the fish, remove the peel from the onion and cut into large rings. When the water boils, put onion and fish into the pan. After 20 minutes, flounder to pull out of the water and let the broth brew for 10 minutes. Then strain the broth through a fine sieve, add diced potatoes, put on fire and bring to a boil. Cut the second onion into thin rings or straws and place in the soup, then add the tomato paste. Flounder soup will be ready when the potatoes are tender. Remove soup from heat, add chopped garlic. When serving in plates, lay out pieces of fish, pour soup and sprinkle with dill or any other herbs.

Everyone knows that most children prefer cream soups and mashed soups. Soup, the recipe of which will be presented below, will captivate any child. Flounder cream soup is very useful, especially for children and their emerging body. The following ingredients are necessary for its preparation: 0.5 kg of flounder fillet, 250 ml of warm milk, 250 ml of warm vegetable broth, 30 g of butter, 2 tablespoons of flour, parsley, bread, olive oil and salt.

Cut the fish fillet into medium sized pieces. Add to a separate container: melted butter, olive oil and flour, beat all this with a mixer. After that pour warm milk and vegetable broth. It is important that the mixture does not have lumps. Put the resulting mass on a slow fire and bring to a boil. After the base is cooked for 3-5 minutes, add fish and cook for another 5 minutes. Cream soup on the stove must be constantly stirred.

Remove soup from heat, beat with a blender and garnish with slices of bread and herbs. Children really love when dishes are decorated. Cream soup can be decorated with slices of loaf, cutting them in the shape of shark fins.

Is it possible to dry flounder

Flounder - a delicious sea fish that can be used not only in dishes - it is dried, smoked and made from it fish stew. At home, to dry a flounder is simple, plus everything else, such a fish is much cheaper than already dried in a store.

To dry the flounder, the fish itself and sea salt are needed directly. To clear 2 kg of carcasses from scales, to get insides and to wash thoroughly. Head too remove. Then grate the fish inside and out with a large amount of sea salt and leave in a deep bucket, at room temperature for 10-12 hours. After the time has passed, take out the flounder, rinse, pat the remaining water with a paper towel and hang it to dry. In warm weather, flounder is dried for five days. After the fish has dried, remove from the rope, wrap with paper and store in the refrigerator. That's all! Dried flounder is ready to eat.

Interesting facts about flounder

1. It turns out that many years ago a flounder looked like an ordinary fish, the position of the eyes was standard, and it swam with its back up. To protect against larger predators, she sank to the bottom and began to hunt there. The fish turned over on its side to mask, but it was not convenient to hunt in this position. Evolution has benefited the flounder, and over time, both eyes began to settle on one side. A modern flounder is born with eyes located on both sides and swims with its back to the top, but in the process of growth the fish sinks to the bottom and lies on its side. One side of it develops much more intensively than the other, the swim bladder disappears, and the eye gradually moves to the upper side. Interestingly, the eyes of the flounder can work independently of each other.
2. Another interesting fact is that the slow flounder is very fast in times of danger. Having a unique feature - to discharge water through the lower gills, it swims so quickly from the place of danger that sand and silt soars around it.
3. Flounder lives relatively long. Her life span is about 30 years.
4. This is the only fish that has been discovered at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
5. The largest flounder was caught in 1980, its length reached 2 m, and its weight exceeded 100 kg.

Flounder photo