Ikejime – a well-known private processing approach in Japan, particularly the fish nonetheless … “jumping” on the reducing board after making use of this technique.
Ikejime is the primary Japanese technique of slaughtering fish. Ikijime is named a humane processing business as a result of the fish will not be crushed to demise with a hammer, however the chef will use a particular instrument (metal wire or axe) to destroy the posterior mind a part of the fish. The fish is mind lifeless, so it can go away rapidly earlier than it will possibly really feel the ache. Thanks to that, the fish doesn’t tense up, get bruised or lose blood, resulting in a lower within the high quality of fish meat.

Fish can be ‘completed’ rapidly, with much less ache.
Because of those two advantages, this private processing approach will not be solely adopted by Japanese cooks, but in addition broadly unfold to different international locations. The particularly recent, tender items of fish in sashimi or sushi come partly from this business.
Talking in regards to the above private processing approach, a well-known French chef commented: “A fish with or without Ikejime technique when eaten or cooked does not make much difference. However, on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day…, the Ikejime-style fish will promote its obvious advantages…”
Basically, humane processing will undergo the next easy steps:
1. Hand safety and meals hygiene with gloves (positive).
2. Use a specialised instrument (metal wire or axe) to rapidly pierce the cranium, within the hole simply above and between the eyes. A easy strategy to place the fish mind is to tug the fish’s decrease jaw open, leaving the sting of the cranium uncovered to the higher jaw. Punch the correct mind, the fish will give an electrical shock-like expression.

A skinny stick is used on this approach.
Then, reduce the gills to take away the blood and reduce off the fish’s head to finish the respiration course of. Insert the blade into the third and 4th gills and reduce in the direction of the fish’s mouth to chop the blood vessel.

3. Thread the arduous metal wire into the backbone, alongside the backbone to destroy the marrow, fully eradicating the central nervous system. The fish will present an electrical shock once more. The Ikejime course of ends when the fish remains to be.


5. Clean the blood by washing the fish with seawater with ice added to remove the fishy odor and maintain the fish clear. Store complete fish in chilly storage if not utilizing instantly.
In addition, earlier than freezing, you’ll be able to put the fish within the basket with the fish’s head going through down, dip the basket into the ocean water for about quarter-hour. This helps the fish’s physique settle down after it heats up due to struggling, making the fish meat scrumptious and agency.

Although this Japanese private processing approach appears to be like easy, it’s not troublesome to do, however to attain smoothness and ability in every observe step, it takes lots of observe. Japanese cooks earlier than making sushi additionally spent almost a decade simply… studying to dissect fish. This is an attention-grabbing method of processing fish to your reference, in case you are assured in your abilities, you’ll be able to fully expertise it your self.
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