What You’ll Need
- A fresh turbot
- A sharp fillet knife
- A cutting board
- A bowl of cold water
- Paper towels
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Before you start cleaning the turbot, make sure you have a clean and well-lit workspace. Lay down a cutting board and gather all the necessary tools mentioned above.
Step 2: Scaling the Turbot
Hold the turbot firmly by its tail and use the back of the knife to scrape against the grain of the scales. Begin at the tail and work your way towards the head, ensuring you remove all the scales. Rinse the turbot under cold water to remove any loose scales and pat it dry with paper towels.
Step 3: Gutting the Turbot
Lay the turbot on its side and make an incision along the belly from the anus to the gills. Use your fingers or the back of the knife to remove the entrails and organs. Make sure to clean out any blood clots or debris from the body cavity. Rinse the turbot thoroughly under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
Step 4: Filleting the Turbot
With the turbot lying on its side, make a horizontal cut just behind the gills towards the head. Then, starting from the head, use a fillet knife to make a clean cut along the backbone towards the tail. Repeat the process on the other side to remove the fillets. Trim any excess fat or bones from the fillets if desired.
Step 5: Final Cleaning
Rinse the fillets under cold water to remove any remaining blood, scales, or debris. Pat them dry with paper towels and inspect for any small bones that might have been missed. You can now cook or store the cleaned turbot fillets as desired.
Cleaning a turbot may take some practice, but with this step-by-step video guide, you’ll soon become an expert! Remember to take your time, use caution when handling sharp knives, and always work in a clean and organized workspace. Happy cleaning!