I really like eating fish and wondered if anybody here could recommend a cheap source of fish in Ireland? Recipes and cooking methods would also be welcomed.
Great to hear.
First thing is it has to be fresh. If you're half serious, get to know a local fish monger where you can see the fish sitting out whole. If your in dublin, beshoffs of howth is the best. There are others around the country. Its better even to buy v fresh fish and freeze it yourself for another time, if you do not live close to fishmonger.
start by ordering some cheaper (but still v tasty fish), Ling, Gurnard, Pollock etc and ask them to show you once how easy it is to fillet. (avoid supermarket vac packed and farmed fish (all salmon, sea bass & sea bream)
The buy some whole fish and fillet yourself. You can use the remaining fish for a stock, which becomes the most important base of any sauce. it really is easy then to add some things to the fish stock for basic sauce to pour over your pan-fried fillets (pan fry skin side down first for 4-6 minutes) then two minutes other side to finish (depending on thickness, v short time in oven to finish off, but this can dry the fish). Short cooking times to maintain moisture and texture.
you can add cream and chorizo sausage, fennel, herbs, fresh crab / mussels to fish stock to finish and serve with pototes and vegetables.
Whole flat fish (megrim, lemon/dover sole), a simple lemon & caper sauce over the grilled fish and you're away.
You will impress not just yourself. but depends on getting the freshest of fish
enjoy