Skate Wings

[Vagus]

We’ve never had them but really fancy trying them.
Anyone done them at home? Nice?? Too faffy??? How did you cook them.
Ta.

[woofgang]

delish. either oven bake in a covered dish with butter on, or shallow fry in a little oil. Either way if you like capers you can add them.

[237SJ]

Skate wings are lovely either pan fried or in the oven (I prefer pan fried)

[Vagus]

Thanks Woofgang. What sort of texture are they, I’m hoping not as meaty as, say, fresh tuna steaks? Maybe a flakey white fish?

[237SJ]

They are not meaty. They are soft and white and a little bit more meaty than plaice.

[Cloverjo]

Husband likes it. I put dabs of butter and a sprinkling of paprika on, then put oven for 20 minutes or so depending on size of wings.
I’m not keen, myself.

[ProfessorMaisie]

They're usually lightly fried (with black butter) but I prefer mine in batter.
The most important thing to remember is not to break the network of bones when you eat them. Scrape the flesh with the edge of your knife, always pushing away from the thick end. There's only one surface worth the trouble, the flesh on the underside is meagre and tends to hold the fat from frying. They taste great - good luck!

[woofgang]

the nearest taste/texture I can think of is scampi or monkfish...and I have no idea where ProfessorMaisie gets theirs from but I always flip mine over and eat the other side and don't find it oily at all

[237SJ]

Make sure they are very fresh as well as if they are not, they will stink of ammonia and only fit for the bin.

[ProfessorMaisie]

Mine come from Whitby - you wouldn't need to scavenge the underside (they're huge).

[Cloverjo]

Too true, 237. I think that’s what put me off them.

[ProfessorMaisie]

...good point re the freshness, the ammonia problem could put you off for life.

[ProfessorMaisie]

The North East is one of the few places you'll get 'long skate' - that's the body of the fish. Long tubes of flesh - absolutely delicious!

[Vagus]

Thanks everyone.
Had no idea about the ammonia problem, wondering whether to give it a miss now :/

[237SJ]

You don't need to give it a miss. If the wings are fresh they will be lovely.

[diddlydo]

The ammonia smell is when they're too fresh! One of the few fish that need to be kept for a couple of days before eating. Trust me - my late father used to catch them!

[emmie]

i have had them, coat with a little butter and lemon if you have it, put in foil to stop them drying out and cook in oven.

[TonyV]

mmmm making my mouth water normally get mine done from local Chippy as it is within walking distance. Have to pre order it as he has to order it in.

[Vagus]

It seems the Internet is divided about whether the ammonia smell comes from fresh or not so fresh skate wings...
Will give them a go anyway, I think.

[TonyV]

yes Vagus really meaty fish that falls of the bone if it is well prepared and cooked.

[gollob]

what about skate's eyeballs equally delicious