Poor man's Caviare
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:15 pm
Poor man's Caviar
Bottarga has all of the fantastic nutrients of fish: it is, in essence, a superfood packed with zinc, omega-3, protein, calcium, vitamins A and D. Also, Bottarga has recently been hailed as a true cancer fighter.
Often called the poor man's caviar, bottarga (or botargo) is the Italian word for a dense cured fish roe made from tuna, gray mullet or swordfish. Popular in Sicily and Sardinia, Bottarga can also be found throughout the Mediterranean, under the name of poutargue or boutargue in France or botarga in Spain. In Greece, avgotaraho is slightly smoked and made in summer to be preserved for Lent.
The mullet is considered the best. The egg sacks are removed with the utmost care to avoid piercing; they are then salted and pressed in to a characteristic oblong shapes before drying. The finished product is amber to dark brown in colour and firm and waxy in texture. Bottarga has quite a salty taste that can be compared to dried anchovies, but with a silkier texture. It keeps well stored in the refrigerator. It is quite expensive but a little goes a long way and why not treat yourself as winter is nearly upon us. You can also buy it grated in small jars which also needs to be kept in the fridge when opened. The ungrated version is much richer though I have quite happily used the grated variety (it is cheaper)and it is still very tasty.
Recipe suggestion:
I suggest you melt about a teaspoon full in some warm olive oil or butter with added crushed garlic pour this over al dente linguine (gluten free if needed) and sprinkle with parsley and a little pepperoncino- (dried chilis). It gives a delicious flavour to the pasta.
Also try it with broccoli. Blend a good teaspoon of the stuff with garlic, lemon juice, parsley basil and tomatoes. Add olive oil and pour over steamed purple sprouting broccoli.
Bottarga can be cut into very small wedges, sprinkled with lemon juice and served as an appetiser. It can also be used to flavour many dishes such as scrambled eggs, sea food risotto and salads
Bottarga has all of the fantastic nutrients of fish: it is, in essence, a superfood packed with zinc, omega-3, protein, calcium, vitamins A and D. Also, Bottarga has recently been hailed as a true cancer fighter.
Often called the poor man's caviar, bottarga (or botargo) is the Italian word for a dense cured fish roe made from tuna, gray mullet or swordfish. Popular in Sicily and Sardinia, Bottarga can also be found throughout the Mediterranean, under the name of poutargue or boutargue in France or botarga in Spain. In Greece, avgotaraho is slightly smoked and made in summer to be preserved for Lent.
The mullet is considered the best. The egg sacks are removed with the utmost care to avoid piercing; they are then salted and pressed in to a characteristic oblong shapes before drying. The finished product is amber to dark brown in colour and firm and waxy in texture. Bottarga has quite a salty taste that can be compared to dried anchovies, but with a silkier texture. It keeps well stored in the refrigerator. It is quite expensive but a little goes a long way and why not treat yourself as winter is nearly upon us. You can also buy it grated in small jars which also needs to be kept in the fridge when opened. The ungrated version is much richer though I have quite happily used the grated variety (it is cheaper)and it is still very tasty.
Recipe suggestion:
I suggest you melt about a teaspoon full in some warm olive oil or butter with added crushed garlic pour this over al dente linguine (gluten free if needed) and sprinkle with parsley and a little pepperoncino- (dried chilis). It gives a delicious flavour to the pasta.
Also try it with broccoli. Blend a good teaspoon of the stuff with garlic, lemon juice, parsley basil and tomatoes. Add olive oil and pour over steamed purple sprouting broccoli.
Bottarga can be cut into very small wedges, sprinkled with lemon juice and served as an appetiser. It can also be used to flavour many dishes such as scrambled eggs, sea food risotto and salads