Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
skate
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
A cartilaginous ray fish (Raja species) — the triangular "wings" (pectoral fins) are the edible portion, with a fan-shaped muscle structure that naturally sepa…
63 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Skate (raie in French) has a unique muscle structure — the cartilage-supported wing produces layered, parallel muscle fibers that separate naturally into strands during cooking, creating a distinctive mouthfeel unlike other fish. The flavor is mild, slightly sweet, and has a gelatinous quality from the abundant collagen in the cartilaginous skeleton. Fresh skate must be very fresh: like sharks and other elasmobranchs, skate metabolizes urea through their blood (rather than excreting it through kidneys), and post-mortem bacterial activity converts urea to ammonia — producing a strong ammonia smell that indicates less-than-fresh product. The classic French preparation — raie au beurre noir (skate wing poached, then finished with brown butter, capers, and vinegar) — is one of the great simple bistro dishes. The acid and capers in the beurre noir provide essential contrast to the rich, gelatinous quality of the fish. Modern preparations also pan-fry skate wings after dusting in flour.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
almonds
anchovies
arugula
bay leaf
butter and butter sauces
capers
carrots
cayenne
celery and celery leaves
chives
cilantro
clams
cloves
dill
eggplant
fennel
garlic
leeks
lemon, juice
lemon balm
lovage
mustard, dijon
oil, canola
oil, peanut
oil, sesame
oil, vegetable
olive oil
onions
orange, juice
parsley, flat-leaf
parsnips
pasta
pepper, black
pepper, green
pepper, white
pistachios
polenta
ponzu sauce
potatoes
pumpkin seeds
rosemary
saffron
sage
sake
salt, kosher
salt, sea
shallots
shrimp
spinach
squid
star anise
tapenade
tarragon
thyme
tomatoes and tomato paste
vinaigrette
vinegar, balsamic
vinegar, red wine
vinegar, rice wine
vinegar, sherry
walnuts
wine, dry white
wine, red
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
anchovies
Anchovies complements skate by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
arugula
Arugula adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bay leaf
Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
butter and butter sauces
Butter suits skate's delicate, slightly sweet flesh and helps create the classic brown-butter skate preparation.
capers
Capers add briny acidity that cuts through skate's butter sauces and keeps the dish lively.
carrots
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cayenne
Cayenne brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
celery and celery leaves
Celery And Celery Leaves adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
chives
Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
cilantro
Cilantro adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
clams
Clams brings briny savory depth that contrasts with skate's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
cloves
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against skate's natural base notes.
dill
Dill adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
eggplant
Eggplant adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
fennel
Fennel adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
garlic
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
leeks
Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lemon balm
Lemon Balm brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lovage
Lovage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
mustard, dijon
Mustard, Dijon brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
oil, canola
Oil, Canola adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, peanut
Oil, Peanut adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, sesame
Oil, Sesame adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, vegetable
Oil, Vegetable adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
parsnips
Parsnips complements skate by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
pasta
Pasta gives skate a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pepper, black
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pepper, green
Pepper, Green brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pepper, white
Pepper, White brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pistachios
Pistachios adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
polenta
Polenta gives skate a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
ponzu sauce
Ponzu Sauce brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
potatoes
Potatoes gives skate a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin Seeds adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
rosemary
Rosemary adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
saffron
Saffron adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against skate's natural base notes.
sage
Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
sake
Sake adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
salt, kosher
Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances skate's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
salt, sea
Salt, Sea adds seasoning or sweetness that balances skate's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
shallots
Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
shrimp
Shrimp brings briny savory depth that contrasts with skate's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
spinach
Spinach adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
squid
Squid brings briny savory depth that contrasts with skate's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
star anise
Star Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against skate's natural base notes.
tapenade
Tapenade complements skate by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
tarragon
Tarragon adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
thyme
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
tomatoes and tomato paste
Tomatoes And Tomato Paste adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
vinaigrette
Vinaigrette adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, balsamic
Vinegar, Balsamic adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, red wine
Vinegar, Red Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, rice wine
Vinegar, Rice Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, sherry
Vinegar, Sherry adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
walnuts
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
wine, dry white
Wine, Dry White adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
wine, red
Wine, Red adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Anchovies complements skate by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Arugula adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
butter and butter sauces
Butter suits skate's delicate, slightly sweet flesh and helps create the classic brown-butter skate preparation.
Capers add briny acidity that cuts through skate's butter sauces and keeps the dish lively.
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cayenne
Cayenne brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
celery and celery leaves
Celery And Celery Leaves adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Cilantro adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Clams brings briny savory depth that contrasts with skate's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against skate's natural base notes.
Dill adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Eggplant adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Fennel adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Lemon Balm brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Lovage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
mustard, dijon
Mustard, Dijon brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Oil, Canola adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Oil, Peanut adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Oil, Sesame adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, vegetable
Oil, Vegetable adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry skate's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Parsnips complements skate by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Pasta gives skate a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pepper, green
Pepper, Green brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Pepper, White brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up skate's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Pistachios adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
Polenta gives skate a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Ponzu Sauce brings acidity and brightness that sharpens skate's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Potatoes gives skate a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Pumpkin Seeds adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
Rosemary adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Saffron adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against skate's natural base notes.
Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Sake adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances skate's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
salt, sea
Salt, Sea adds seasoning or sweetness that balances skate's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens skate's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Shrimp brings briny savory depth that contrasts with skate's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
Spinach adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Squid brings briny savory depth that contrasts with skate's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
star anise
Star Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against skate's natural base notes.
tapenade
Tapenade complements skate by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Tarragon adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Thyme adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping skate from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
tomatoes and tomato paste
Tomatoes And Tomato Paste adds complementary vegetable character, giving skate more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
vinaigrette
Vinaigrette adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Balsamic adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Red Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Rice Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Sherry adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives skate more contrast and substance.
wine, dry white
Wine, Dry White adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.
wine, red
Wine, Red adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps skate work in drinks, sauces, desserts, braises, or cooked preparations.