Name: John Dory (Zeus faber), also called St Peter's fish — a flat-bodied, olive-yellow fish with a large, dark, thumb-sized spot on each side, a big head and long dorsal spines, found in the north-east Atlantic and the Mediterranean, prized for its firm, white, sweet flesh.
Description
John Dory lives in coastal waters, and is an ambush predator, which sneaks up on small fish and sucks them in with its protruding jaws. The legend behind the name St Peter's fish is that the dark spot is the thumbprint of St Peter, who took a coin from a fish's mouth, as told in the Gospel of Matthew. The name John Dory may come from French jaune doré, meaning “golden yellow.”
The fish has a large head and spiky bones, so the fillets are small, only about a third of the fish's weight, but the flesh is fine, firm, moist and sweet, much admired by chefs. It is cooked simply, and is expensive. Its stocks are not considered at risk, but it is caught mostly by trawl.
Main nutrition value
John Dory is a lean, white fish, low in fat and calories, and a good source of high-quality protein, selenium, vitamin B12, phosphorus and iodine. It is low in fat and in mercury.
How best to be consumed
John Dory is delicate and prized, and is cooked simply.
- Pan-fry skin-on fillets in butter for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden.
- Steam or poach, or bake whole, with lemon, herbs and white wine.
- Serve with a light sauce, such as beurre blanc, or with new potatoes and greens.
- Remove the pin bones, and handle gently.
- Buy fresh whole fish, with bright eyes, and have the fishmonger fillet it.
Overconsumption could cause…
John Dory is healthy in food amounts.
- Fish allergy, which can be severe and is usually lifelong, so anyone allergic must avoid fish and check labels, including fish in sauces and dressings.
- Gout flare-ups in people with gout, since fish and shellfish are moderately high in purines.
- Overfishing and environmental concerns for some stocks, so look for MSC or ASC certification, or check a sustainable seafood guide.
- Small, sharp bones and spines, which need care when handling and eating.
Wikipedia — John Dory, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dory
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