Description
A delicate and flavorful Chinese Steamed Fish recipe featuring a whole fish steamed with soy sauce, ginger, and scallions. This healthy dish highlights the natural moisture and freshness of the fish while infusing it with aromatic and savory Asian flavors, perfect for a light and elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 whole fish (such as sea bass, tilapia, or red snapper), cleaned and scaled
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 3 slices ginger, julienned
- 2 scallions, sliced thinly (whites and greens separated)
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced (optional, for garnish)
- Cilantro leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Rinse the fish thoroughly inside and out, then pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Score the Fish: Lightly score both sides of the fish with a knife to help it cook evenly and allow flavors to penetrate.
- Season the Fish: Place the fish on a heatproof plate or a shallow dish that fits inside your steamer. Evenly sprinkle soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, and sugar all over the fish.
- Add Aromatics: Arrange the julienned ginger slices and the white parts of the scallions on top of the fish for fragrant infusion during steaming.
- Steam the Fish: Bring a pot of water to a boil and place the plate with the fish in a steamer basket above the boiling water, ensuring that the water does not touch the fish. Cover the steamer and steam for 8-12 minutes depending on the size and thickness, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the fish from the steamer. Garnish with the green parts of the scallions, thinly sliced red chili, and cilantro leaves if desired. Pour some of the steaming liquid over the fish for extra flavor and serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust steaming time according to the size of the fish to avoid overcooking.
- If you don’t have rice wine, dry sherry is a suitable substitute.
- Removing excess moisture from the fish ensures better steaming and flavor absorption.
- Use fresh ginger and scallions for the best aromatic impact.
- Serve with steamed rice or lightly sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
