
Switch the Fish! A Fishy Friday Frolic with Coley, Mussels and Sea Bass Recipes
Switch the Fish!
A Fishy Friday Frolic with Coley, Mussels and Sea Bass Recipes

Moules Frites
Today is Sainsbury’s “Switch the Fish” day, and anyone who buys one of the “big fishy five” today, that’s cod, tuna, salmon, prawns and haddock today in Sainsbury’s, will be offered free alternative species at their fish counters, as well as some help about how best to prepare your alternative fish. As one of the UK’s largest retailer of MSC certified sustainable seafood, they are helping customers try new varieties outside of the big five. So #SwitchTheFish is back for its third year as part of the wider Fish with Thought campaign. In place of the big five, customers and food writers/bloggers have been asked to consider using Coley, Mussels, Lemon Sole, Sea Bass or Trout instead, and as a lover of fish of all kinds, I am very happy to support this campaign. I am a BIG fan of all the “alternative” fish suggestions, and so today I would like to share some of my recipes that use coley, sea bass and mussels with my readers.

Harissa sea bass with griddled vegetables & couscous Image: Sainsbury’s
As well as my own recipes, why not take a look at some of the recipes on the Sainsbury’s Live Well for Less website here: Fish Recipes.
Sustainable Fish
Look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-label on packs and on the instore fish counter tickets. The MSC is an independent body, and when you see their logo, you can be confident you are buying sustainable fish from a certified fishery.
(Ally Dingwall, Sainsbury’s Aquaculture and Fisheries manager)
What is sustainability?
It’s about sourcing fish from fisheries which are managed to ensure fish populations remain healthy and where fishing methods minimise environmental impact. This ensures we can all enjoy great-quality fish now, and be confident of healthy fish stocks in the future.
What fish are sustainable?
Sustainable fisheries can be certified to the MSC standard. You can find the following sustainable fish in store:
Cod and haddock
Herring
Wild Pacific salmon
Skipjack and albacore tuna
Cold water prawns
Coley
Breaded plaice

Whole Sea Bass
My own recipes using alternative fish are listed below:
Colombard Wine, French Bread and Mussel, Onion and Parsley Chowder

Mussel Chowder
How to Cook Mussels without Fear!
– Marmite Ecossaise – Luxury Scottish Seafood Stew
(Using mussels and lemon sole)

– Marmite Ecossaise – Luxury Scottish Seafood Stew
Pan-Fried Sea Bass Fillets in a Pastis & Caper Butter Sauce served with Marsh Samphire

Pan-Fried Sea Bass Fillets in a Pastis & Caper Butter Sauce
5:2 Diet Fast Day Recipe: Spicy Fish Creole with Coconut Lime Rice for Fish on Friday
(Using Coley)

5:2 Diet Fast Day Recipe: Spicy Fish Creole with Coconut Lime Rice for Fish on Friday
Fish on Friday and a Taste of India with Easy Fish Curry
(Using Coley)

Easy Fish Curry with Coley
Fish on Friday – A Fish Recipe from Fishy HQ – Fish Bobotie (Curried Fish Bake)
(Using Coley)

Bobotie
Disclaimer: I was sent a Sainsbury’s supermarket voucher in order to buy alternative sustainable fish and highlight it today.
Sainsbury’s “Switch the Fish Recipes:
Roasted lemon sole with butter bean mash

Roasted lemon sole with butter bean mash Image: Sainsbury’s
Crisp-skinned coley fillets & sesame stir-fry salad

Crisp-skinned coley fillets & sesame stir-fry salad Image: Sainsbury’s

Risotto with trout & kale Image: Sainsbury’s

Thai mussel broth Image: Sainsbury’s
This is a great idea! Many people are scared to cook with fish as they think it is complicated, so it is good that they are handing out ideas of ways to cook with it.
I agree that is was a great idea Dannii and I hope that many alternative types of fish were discovered on the day by some of the shoppers.
That is such a lovely selection of recipes. I had not heard of Sainsbury’s campaign but regularly buy my fish from there or from Waitrose, due to their MSC certification.
Yes, their MSC certification is a draw for me too Tina!
What a great post, so many delicious recipes, and plenty of very interesting information!
Thanks so much Lizzy!
I love the mussels and the chowder – looks mmmmmm
Moules and chowder are two favourites of mine too Heidi!
Such a good campaign! I do love grilled sea bass
Sea bass is delicious!
Sea bass for me all the time too!
Me too Emma! 🙂
a wonderful collection of fishy recipes and a great campaign to champion too… for me it HAS to be moulles frites!
Oh yes Dom! French fish and chips as we call them! LOVE moules frites too!
Karen, I reckon you should host a food photography class, I know I keep saying it, but your photos really are the best.
Awwww, thanks so much Choclette, I love taking photos, so that must help as I have the enthusiasm! 🙂
My OH loves mussels, I wouldn’t mind nicely prepared sea bass 😉
Maybe I need to pop in to see you next time I am in Luton Sylvia, with a sea bass!!!
lots of lovely fish photos there
Thanks Fiona!
Wow, so many delectable edibles here! Thank you so much for sharing.
It’s a pleasure Linda!
Shared via G+ Thanks Karen!
Merci encore Tracy!
Bring it on! Ooh I love fish and shellfish, that Marmite Ecossaise has my name written all over it!
Thanks Janice! The Scottish Seafood Hotpot is a favourite of ours too!
Some lovely recipes there Karen, and you’ve just reminded me a I have a lovely piece of bass in the freezer!
Janie x
Time to liberate the sea bass I think Janie! 😉
Great recipes Karen. Beautiful appetising photos too. GG
Thanks GG! I do like a nice piece of fish!
Beautiful clicks of delicious food.