December 18, 2006
Amberjack: Florida’s Colorful Jewel From The Sea
Jewelry collectors covet amber due to its beautiful golden hue and versatile properties and uses. Similar attributes are what make the Florida amberjack a treasured commercial fishing catch.
Amberjack is a colorful food fish that can be found in Florida’s offshore waters among natural or man-made reefs, rock outcrops and wrecks. Its colors include lavender and golden tints with an amber band running from the eye to the tail. These fish also have amber, even pinkish, casts to the body. Amberjack is a member of the jack family, Carangidae, and are voracious predators that forage in small groups over the reefs. They range in weight from under 15 pounds to more than 150 pounds.
Seafood lovers can find amberjack on restaurant menus and in local seafood markets. It is an extra-lean fish with a firm-textured white meat. The flavor is mild which makes it adaptable to many cooking methods and recipes. When preparing amberjack at home consider these guidelines for amount to purchase:
Whole or drawn fish:
3/4 pound to 1 pound per serving
Dressed or cleaned fish:
1/2 pound per serving
Fillets or steaks:
1/4 pound to 1/3 pound per serving.
Popular ways to prepare amberjack include grilled, broiled, blackened, poached or fried. Here are two simple recipes for broiling and grilling. For more amberjack and other Florida seafood recipes, visit www.FL-Seafood.com.
Amberjack St. Augustine
1 1/2 pounds Florida amberjack fillets
1 teaspoon ground marjoram
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
2 tablespoons Florida onion, minced
1 teaspoon Florida garlic, minced
Place fish on well-oiled broiling pan. Combine spices; apply generously to fish. Mix onion and garlic; spread over fish. Broil 5-6 inches from source of heat for 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Yield: 4 servings.
Nutritional Value Per Serving
Calories 190, Calories From Fat 18, Total Fat 2, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fatty Acid 0g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Total Carbohydrates 2g, Protein 38g, Omega 3 Fatty Acid .4g.
Grilled Amberjack with Artichoke Mushroom Sauce
2 cups fresh mushrooms, chopped
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 cups whipping cream
3 tablespoons sherry
3 ounces Swiss cheese, chopped
1 tablespoon bacon bits
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
2 pounds Florida amberjack fillets
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cook mushrooms in 1 tablespoon butter until tender. Remove from pan and set aside. In the same pan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Blend in flour, salt and pepper; add cream, sherry, cheese and bacon bits. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Add mushrooms and artichokes. Set aside and keep warm. Cut fish into serving-size portions. Brush fish with lemon juice and grill over medium-hot coals or gas elements until fish flakes easily. Serve fillets with warm sauce.
Yield: 6 servings.
Nutritional Value Per Serving
Calories 579, Calories From Fat 378, Total Fat 42g, Saturated Fat 27g, Trans Fatty Acid (.9g), Cholesterol 253mg, Total Carbohydrates 12g, Protein 37g, Omega 3 Fatty Acid .7g.
