Chinese Tilapia Recipe 395 Food

STEAMED TILAPIA: HUNAN-STYLE WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• The fish market should have gutted the fish, trimmed off the sharp fins, and removed the scales, but there's additional work needed to prepare your whole fish! First, use a knife to go over the fish and remove any scales that the market may have missed. Usually scales are missed along the fins, under the belly, and around the head.
• You should also check the inside cavity of the fish and use a dull butter knife to remove/scrape any blood lines or membranes that were left behind. Sometimes there are also gills remaining and sharp fins, so use kitchen shears to help with cutting these sections off. Fish markets generally don't bother with these cleaning and preparation details, but they make all the difference!
• Next, start from the tail end of the fish, and cut it like you are filleting it from the tail to the front. When you reach the bones in the cavity, you can cut through them with a sturdy chef's knife but be careful not to cut yourself! Kitchen shears could be helpful for the novice cook.
• After cutting through the bones, continue splitting the fish up to the top fin as if you were filleting it, but *stop* short of cutting off the filet from the rest of the fish. Once you reach the head, split it in half, and now you have a split fish.
• Give your fish a quick rinse, set it aside on a cutting board skin side up, and press on the fish slightly to flatten it out.
• Prepare your silken tofu by cutting the plastic cover off, and pouring out any liquid. Next, turn the tofu container upside down on a cutting board, and carefully lift the container away from the block of tofu. Next, cut the tofu in half lengthwise, and slice it crosswise into ½-inch slices.
• Use your knife or cleaver to lift each half of the cut tofu on a large heatproof plate or large bowl. The platter should be slightly deep enough to hold the steaming liquid and sauce. Lay your tofu bed down on the plate so the pieces are fanned across either side. Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon of salt evenly over the silken tofu. Next, gently place the fish skin side-up on the tofu, and it's ready for the steamer!
• Use 4 cups of cold water in the wok, place your fish fish on a steaming rack inside, and cover the wok.
• Turn the heat to medium-high. The water should boil in about 7 minutes. Steam for another 6 minutes--a total of 13 minutes. Check that the water is simmering after 7 minutes. If not, then the heat must be turned up. If you see the water boiling vigorously, then turn the heat down to a simmer/very low boil. After a total of 13 minutes, check the fish for doneness. It's key not to overcook the fish for the best results!
• Use a butter knife to press into the part of the fish that has bones underneath it. The knife should easily go through the meat like butter, right to the bone. If the meat feels a little tough or you encounter some resistance as you penetrate the fish (or you don't hit the bone), then the meat is likely still raw and will need another few minutes.
• Once your tilapia passes the doneness test, turn the heat off and carefully pour off the liquid that has pooled at the bottom of the plate, using a dry kitchen towel to grip the plate on one side, and if you need it, a spatula to gently hold the fish in place. You can do this directly in the wok, or if it's too hot, pour it off into the kitchen sink. Either way, do it slowly and take care not to let the fish and tofu slide off the plate!
• In a clean pan or wok set over low heat, add 3 tablespoons of canola oil, 1½ tablespoons minced ginger, and 6 tablespoons of duo jiao salted chilli peppers. Let the ginger and duo jiao peppers infuse the oil for about 1-2 minutes. The oil should start turning red and fragrant like chili oil!
• Next, add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and the white portions of the scallion. Give it a stir for another 10 seconds, and add ⅔ cup hot water, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar, and ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper powder.
• Let the liquid come to a boil, and turn it down to simmer. Season to taste with more salt--or the salty liquid from the duo jiao chili pepper jar. The sauce should be quite salty for this fish dish!
• Stir in the green portion of the scallion, and take the pan off the heat. Immediately spoon the sauce onto the fish, making sure to evenly distribute the salted chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and scallions over the fish and tofu.
• Sprinkle some additional ground white pepper powder over the top, and your Hunan steamed fish is ready!
• Serve your Hunan Steamed Tilapia with plenty of rice, because a spoonful of fish + a big spoonful of this spectacular sauce over rice makes for the perfect bite! It's also best served family style, perhaps with a stir-fried vegetable or an additional meat dish to give the meal some variety.

CANTONESE STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Cut the scallions into 2-inch lengths, and cut the pieces in half lengthwise. Julienne them thinly. Thinly slice about 15g of ginger, and julienne them. Give the cilantro a rough chop. Set the aromatics aside.
• Combine the light soy sauce, salt, sugar and hot water in a small bowl and mix until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Set aside.
• Prepare your steaming set-up, and fill with 1-2 inches of water. Bring to a boil.
• Rinse your fish fillet, and carefully lay it on an oblong heat-proof plate that will fit into your wok or steaming setup. Carefully place it in the steamer, and adjust the heat to medium. The water should be at a slow boil that generates a good amount of steam, but not so high that the water evaporates too quickly.
• Cover and steam for 7-10 minutes depending upon the size and thickness of your fish fillet. If you have extremely small, thin fillets (half an inch), cook for 4-5 minutes. Check for doneness using a butter knife. If it falls easily through the thickest part of the fillet to the bottom of the plate, the fish is done.
• Turn off the heat, and carefully drain any liquid on the plate. Spread about ⅓ of the scallions, ginger, and cilantro on the steamed fish (alternatively, you can wait to do this AFTER adding the sauce).
• To make the sauce, heat a wok or small saucepan to medium high heat, and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the remaining ⅔ of the ginger, and fry for 1 minute. Add the white parts of the scallions and cook for 30 seconds.Then add rest of the scallions and cilantro. The mixture should be sizzling.
• Add the soy sauce mixture. Bring the mixture to a bubble, and cook until the scallions and cilantro are just wilted, about 30 seconds.
• Pour this mixture over the fish. If you prefer to add the raw aromatics after adding the sauce, you can do so now, and heat an additional 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to pour over the raw aromatics. Serve immediately!

ASIAN TILAPIA WITH STIR-FRIED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. Place fish in a shallow baking dish.
• For marinade, stir together soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour marinade over fish, turning to coat. Cover with foil and marinate at room temperature 20 minutes. Drain fish, reserving marinade. Add the 1/4 cup water to the reserved marinade.
• In a large nonstick skillet, combine green beans and the 2 Tablespoons water. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add canola oil. Cook, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until beans are crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Transfer beans to a serving platter; cover and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, coat another large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish to hot skillet; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, turning once. Sprinkle beans with sesame seeds; arrange fish on top of beans.
• Wipe out skillet with a paper towel. Add the reserved marinade to skillet; cook and stir over medium-high heat 1 minute. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Drizzle marinade over fish; sprinkle with green onions.

ASIAN-STYLE GRILLED TILAPIA

Steps:

• Combine the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, lime juice, ginger and red pepper flakes in a wide, shallow baking pan that will hold all of the fish in a single layer.
• Stir briefly to dissolve the sugar.
• Add the tilapia, then turn it over so that it's coated all over with the marinade.
• Set aside for 20 min or so.
• Heat the broiler to high, and move the oven rack to position closest to heat.
• Slide the pan into the oven, and broil the fish for 5 minute Keep the oven door ajar so the broiler element stays lit.
• Turn the pan around (back to front), and broil for 5 more minute.
• If the juices in the pan appear to burn, add a little water to the dry spot to prevent burning.
• The fish should be opaque and flaky.
• Spoon the sauce over the fish when serving.

BAKED TILAPIA WITH GARLIC AND LIME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside.
• Rinse fish and pat dry; place on the prepared baking sheet. Season each fillet with 1/4 teaspoon Silly Salt and pepper to taste. Divide the butter pieces lime zest, and juice evenly among the tops of the fillets. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

TILAPIA BAKED & WRAPPED (CHINESE STYLE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly.
• Place a fillet on each banana leaf or a piece of parchment paper and divide mixture evenly amongst them, spreading the mixture over the top of each fillet.
• Fold each banana leaf, or the paper, over to form a packet around each fillet and seal the edge of each packet with a small piece of aluminum foil, crimping it tightly.
• Place on a baking sheet in the middle of the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and the wrapping. Lightly brush off most of the topping and sprinkle a few slivered almonds on top of each fillet for garnish if desired.
• Serve with stir-fried Chinese vegetables.