Fried Dace and Green Malachite

Since the move to Toronto, I've been looking for quick and easy things to make for dinner.  One thing that I was craving was Fried Dace and black beans that I used to eat when I was a kid.

I can't say that I've ever had anything comparable to this can of goodness.  It's salty, it's oily, and so tasty!  This is the type of thing you eat on occasion, like poutine topped with bacon.

So I went off to my local Asian grocer to find it.

To my amazement, it was no where to be found!  I remember when I was younger, Fried Dace in a can was staple and cheap.  All you had to do was hit up any store in Chinatown and it would literally fall into your basket.

After a bit of research, I saw that a couple years ago, many cans were recalled because they contained traceable amounts of Green Malachite.  Apparently, this stuff is used in raising these fish in order to kill off any bad bacteria and parasites.  The only problem is that it is a carcinogenic and that can't be too good for you.

But it's so goooood! How can you resist deep fried dace with black beans on rice?!  Chinese soul food at its best.

So the question I ask is now that you can find Fried Dace again at select grocers, is it safe to consume?

Also, some people say you'd have to consume a hefty amount of this fish for it to truly affect your body in any detrimental way.  Isn't that what they say about everything else that's sold to the average American?  For example Aspartame in gum.  Do research on that topic and you'll be surprised at what you find.

The pleasantries of living in a "developed" society...

  While we believe we are better off than other countries,  in many ways we are, but there is an unavoidable irony that we face in the food available to us.

To eat or not to eat?  That is the question.  YOLO.