Kurt
Culinary Explorer
Savor the taste!
Ingredients:
- 1 whole fish (such as snapper, tilapia, or sea bass), cleaned and scaled
- 2-3 slices of ginger
- 2-3 stalks of green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- Fresh cilantro or additional green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Fish:
- Rinse the fish under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Make a few diagonal slashes on both sides of the fish to help it cook evenly and to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Season the Fish:
- Place the fish on a heatproof plate that fits inside your steamer.
- Place ginger slices and a few green onion pieces inside the cavity of the fish.
- Season the fish with soy sauce and rice wine (or dry sherry). You can also add a little salt if desired, but be careful as the soy sauce is already salty.
- Prepare the Steamer:
- Fill the bottom of a steamer with water and bring it to a boil.
- Place the plate with the fish on the steamer rack.
- Steam the Fish:
- Cover the steamer and steam the fish over high heat for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the fish. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- While the fish is steaming, heat the vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat until it is hot but not smoking.
- Add the remaining green onion pieces to the oil and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the onions.
- Finish the Fish:
- Carefully remove the fish from the steamer.
- Pour off any excess liquid from the plate.
- Drizzle the hot oil and green onions over the steamed fish. If using sesame oil, drizzle it over the fish as well.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or additional green onions if desired.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Tips:
- Steaming Time: Adjust steaming time based on the size and thickness of the fish. As a general rule, steam for about 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness.
- Freshness: Use the freshest fish possible for the best flavor.
- Flavor Variations: You can add sliced mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, or even thinly sliced bell peppers to the plate for added flavor and texture.