Species
Dories
Description
Available wild caught, it is a bottom-dwelling marine fish found mainly on the mid-continental slope commonly between 850-1,100m, mostly near deep underwater pinnacles, and caught mainly by trawling off southern Australia, especially Tasmania or on underwater hills to the south. Unlike other Oreodories, the scales rub off easily. Like all Oreodories, it differs from the related Dories by having rougher, darker skin, larger eyes and a more elongated body.
Other Names
Smooth Oreo, Smooth Dory, Smooth Oreo Dory, Spotted Dory, Spotted Oreo.
Family
Oreosomatidae (Oreodories).
Season
Available year round, with peaks in January, February and May.
Size and Weight
Typically 1-2kg and 35-45cm, but can grow to at least 5kg and 61cm.
Price
Medium priced.
Relations
Black Oreodory, Oxeye Oreodory, Rough Oreodory and Spikey Oreodory. Also closely related to Dories, including John Dory, King Dory, Mirror Dory and Silver Dory.
To Buy
Sold whole (gilled and gutted) and in fillet form (always skinned). In whole fish look for lustrous skin, firm flesh, and a pleasant, fresh sea smell. In fillets, look for yellowish-white, firm, lustrous, moist flesh without any brown markings or oozing water and with a pleasant fresh sea smell.
To Store
Make sure whole fish is scaled, gutted and cleaned thoroughly. Wrap whole fish and fillets in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze whole fish and fillets for up to 3 months, below -18ºC.
To Cook
Average yield is 25%. Has a mild flavour (though slightly stronger than other Oreodories), medium-high oiliness and moist, medium-firm textured flesh with few bones, which are easily removed.
Cooking Methods
Steam, poach, deep-fry, pan-fry, stir-fry, bake, grill, barbecue. Thin fillets are best wrapped in foil or banana leaves to protect them when barbecuing or grilling.
Goes Well With
Butter, citrus, fresh herbs (such as chives, coriander, dill, French tarragon, parsley, thyme), ginger, garlic, lemongrass, nuts, olive oil, onion, pepper, white wine.
Alternatives
Other Oreodories or Dories, Flounder, Ling, Orange Roughy, Sole, Whitings.
Imports
Black and Smooth Oreodories are imported from New Zealand as chilled fillets and chilled or frozen whole fish.