Shark meat provides an excellent source of vitamin A and folate. The flavorful steaks are also low in calories and high in protein, making them a healthy seafood choice. Broiling allows you to cook the steaks quickly so the meat is flaky yet tender and the outside is brown and flavorful.
Food Safety Precautions
Shark steaks usually come from the supermarket trimmed and sliced, ready for cooking and serving. Keep the steaks under refrigeration until you are ready to cook and serve them. Refrigerated shark must be cooked within two days, or you can store shark frozen for up to four months. Avoid thawing shark steaks at room temperature, as this results in the growth of illness causing bacteria. Thaw the steaks in the refrigerator for 24 hours prior to broiling. Use clean utensils and wipe down counters after preparation with a dilute bleach solution to prevent cross contamination.
Shark Steak Preparation
Purchased shark steaks require little to no preparation prior to broiling. If you are preparing shark you fished, soak the steaks in a bowl of milk overnight before cooking the meat. Residual blood in the steaks creates an unpleasant ammonia flavor in the meat, which the milk neutralizes. Purchased steaks are pretreated, so they don't require soaking. Pat the steaks dry with a clean towel after soaking to remove any excess milk. The milk doesn't affect the texture of the meat and is only used to counteract any ammonia compounds in the meat.
Seasoning
Most seasoning and marinades that work well with fish also complement shark. Marinating the steaks for up to an hour before broiling infuses the shark with flavor. A citrus juice, such as lemon or orange, complements the light flavor of the meat. Soy sauce, salt, pepper and herbs such as parsley, thyme and ginger also work well with shark meat. Alternatively, crushed garlic, fresh grated ginger and minced green onions provide suitable seasoning. If you prefer to skip the marinade, brush each side of the steak with a basting sauce containing the preferred ingredients immediately before broiling.
Broiling Method
A broiler pan ensures the shark steaks cook properly beneath the oven broiler. Broiler pans consist of a grate that sits inside a baking sheet. The baking sheet catches any dripping from the steaks during the broiling process. If a broiler pan isn't available, set a metal cooking rack inside a large baking sheet. Preheat the broiler on the high setting, which typically heats the oven to 550 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Place the oven rack so the top of the steaks sit about 4 inches beneath the top heating element. Broil shark for approximately 10 minutes, turning the steaks halfway through the cooking time so both sides are evenly brown. Basting the steaks throughout the broiling process with the marinade or butter keeps the meat from drying out.
Member Comments