Abalone, an amazing sea snail can be categorized as a Mollusk, they fall into the category of clams, scallo[s, sea slugs, octopus and squid, to be precise.
Personally, the beauty in the abalone is the way it looks and feels, many people associate the abalone with female genitalia, and this is what makes this a delectable delicacy. Actually, the most prized part are the shells as they have an inner layer and beautiful surrounding attachment.
Abalone has been on this earth way before mankind, and since the beginning of our time, humans have considered this a profound creature of the natural world.
The abalone eats marine algae from the sea, and whether you eat wild abalone or farmed, make sure that you understand that the different types of abalone look and feel different because they eat different types of algae. Amongst the main types of abalone, there exist red abalone, green, black, flat, pink, pinto and the list goes on. All these types are characterized by differing colors, textures and structures.
Abalone is considered to be an aphrodisiac, no wonder this chef loves em’. It has been classified by the Chinese to be within the category of shark’s fin, sea cucumber, ginseng and bird’s nest, as a very ‘in demand’ ingredient. I certainly do not promote the eating of shark’s fin, as these creatures are endangered!!! As inhabitants of this world, we should be more cautious and aware of what we are consuming and show respect and reverence for everything bestowed upon us.
Now, back to abalone, it has many health benefits as it is rich in selenium, magnesium, Vitamin B12 and E. Once this mollusk is cooked, it richness of omega-3 fatty acids is brought out. So if you suffer from acne or any form of skin disorder, eating an abalone could certainly help with that.
Braising abalone is a great way to enjoy it, just simply with soya sauce and a little bit of stock. A great accompaniment with abalone are mustard trees or baby bok choy. Now with Valentine’s day coming up, what more could you ask for.
