How to Cook Barramundi

What’s the best way to cook barramundi? How do I get it crispy without it looking dry? Is barramundi easy to cook? Barramundi is an extremely versatile fish, there’s a dish to suit all tastes and seasons. Barra can be cooked and prepared in a variety of ways; steamed, pan-fried, or roasted, it can do it all. Here we unload our tips on cooking barra four different ways, let this be the inspiration you need to cook this delicious fish at home.

1. Crispy Skin

Follow these simple steps and you’ll soon be marvelling at your unbelievably crunchy skin.

• Pre-heat pan on medium heat
• Pat the barra skin dry and rub with salt (don’t be shy with it)
• When pan is hot, add a little oil
• Cook the barra skin side down first, adding a little pressure to ensure good flat skin contact with the pan
• Don’t forget to let the barra rest for 2 mins to release the amazing flavours
• Serve skin side up to showcase that crispness.

2. Oven Baked

Evenings are not for slaving away in the kitchen, it takes no time to roast a whole barra in the oven for the family.

• First, set your oven to 200°C
• Score barra about 5mm deep on both sides and repeat 2-3 times. This allows better heat penetration and will help you to see when the barra is cooked
• Lightly rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
• Lie the barra belly over half a lemon, this will add flavour and keep the fish up while its baking (1kg barra - 15mins)
• Let the barra rest for a couple of minutes and give it a good squeeze from the other half of the lemon

3. Pan Roasted

This is similar to oven baked but this time we will first sear the barra fillets on the stove top in an ovenproof pan.

• Preheat oven to 180°C and pan on medium heat
• Pat barra skin dry, rub with salt and add oil to hot pan
• Cook bara skin side down only for 2 mins, adding pressure to engage good flat skin contact with pan
• Leaving the skin side down place the pan in the oven to finish cooking
• Once cooked, turn the barra over so the crispy skin is on display and let it rest for a few minutes

4. Steamed Barramundi

Steaming is a quick and healthy way to cook barra. It doesn’t require any oil and locks in the moisture, keeping it juicy, tender and flavoursome.

• Bring a pot of water or stock to boil.
• Prepare whole barramundi the same way as we did for oven baked.
• Add some ginger or aromatic herbs to either the fish belly or water prior to steaming to add extra delicious flavour
• You can use a bamboo steamer or fish poacher
• Lay fish in steamer on its side, the change in colour of the flesh and the way it comes away from the bone will give you an indication of when it is cooked (1kg barra - 12-15mins)

Not only is Aussie Barra easy to cook, it’s good for the environment and our Aussie farmers too. Get creative, tag us in your barramundi dishes and don’t forget to #askforaussiebarra. Happy cooking!

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