Steamed Sea Bass Chinese Style Food

STEAMED SEA BASS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put half the ginger in the cavity of the fish, then lay it on foil. Pull the sides of the foil up around the fish to create a foil bowl, then add 1 tbsp water (this will steam the fish), seal and cook in the oven for 15-20 mins or a large bamboo steamer until the fish is flaking apart.
• Transfer to a serving platter, leaving the juices in the foil. Heat the soy sauces, oil and palm sugar in a saucepan with 1 tbsp water until boiling and bubbling. Top the fish with the spring onion, chilli, most of the coriander and the rest of the ginger. Pour the hot liquid over the fish to 'cook' the aromatics on top. Scatter over any leftover coriander stalks to serve.

CHINESE STEAMED WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• Remove any scales from your fish using a serrated steak knife. The areas to look for are the belly and the edges of the fish including the top, near the dorsal fins, and the head. There is nothing worse than having to pick out scales while you're having dinner.
• Cut off any fins with kitchen shears. They are pretty tough, so be careful with this step. Leave the tail and head in tact for presentation.
• Look at the cavity, and you should see the backbone. You may also see a membrane that you should pierce and cut, revealing a blood line near the bone. Run your finger or a spoon across it to clean it thoroughly.
• Check the head and gills. You should not see any gills left, and if there are, remove them with the kitchen shears and rinse the area clean. Older Chinese folks who like dining on the fish head will appreciate this step.
• Give the fish a final rinse, shake off the excess water (no need to pat it dry) and transfer to a heat-proof plate for steaming. No salt, seasoning, or wine should be used on the fish before steaming. Repeat. Nothing on the fresh fish before steaming!
• For steaming, I used an elongated heat-proof plate. To accommodate that, I needed to MacGyver a steaming apparatus that would fit said plate. It's simple enough. I used a wok and metal steam rack. If you need more height to keep the plate above the water in the wok, set a rack on top of a metal can with both ends removed. It's a handy and cheap addition to your kitchen arsenal!
• Steam for 9 minutes and turn off the heat. Use a butter knife to peek at the meat and confirm the fish is cooked through. The meat should be opaque down to the bone, but the bone should be slightly translucent and not fully cooked (remember, you will not be eating the bone. Trust me on this one!).
• Next, carefully pour off all of the liquid accumulated on the plate from steaming and spread half of the ginger, the green portions of the scallion, and the cilantro over the fish.
• Mix the water, salt, sugar, light soy sauce or seasoned soy sauce, and fresh ground white pepper in a small bowl or measuring cup. Heat 2 tablespoons oil and the other half of the ginger in a saucepan until the ginger begins to sizzle and add in the sauce mixture. Heat the mixture until simmering.
• Once simmering, add the rest of the oil and white portions of the scallion and stir until the liquid begins to simmer and sizzle once again. Spoon the entire mixture evenly over the fish and serve hot!

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!

CHINESE STEAMED BASS WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the fish with the chilli, ginger and a little salt. Steam the cabbage for 5 mins. Lay fish on top of the cabbage and steam for a further 5 mins until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, heat the oils in a small pan, add the garlic and quickly cook, stirring until lightly browned. Transfer the cabbage and fish to serving plates, sprinkle each with 1 tsp of soy sauce, then pour over the garlicky oil.

STEAMED SEA BASS WITH NAPA CABBAGE

Steps:

• Marinate the fish. Mix the salt, soy sauce, honey, coriander and spring onions and marinate the seabass in the mixture for at least 2 hours.
• Steam Sea bass & Cook Veggies. Put the marinated sea bass in a heatproof dish and steam for 10 minutes. While the sea bass is steaming, make the veggies. In a frying pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat, then add the mushrooms, garlic and ginger paste, stir frying till fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add in the cabbage, carrots and stock and cook for 3 minutes. Mix in the baby spinach, soy sauce and yuzu vinegar then turn the fire off.

STEAMED SEA BASS WITH GINGER AND CHINESE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Fill a wok three-quarters of the way up with water and place over high heat. Bring the water to a simmer.
• Place the fish on a plate. Cut 5 or 6 slits into the skin on both sides. Sprinkle the fish with salt and ground white pepper.
• Place a few pieces of ginger into the slits of the fish, and then stuff the cavity with the remaining ginger and the shiitake mushrooms. Pour the rice wine over the fish, place the fish in a bamboo steamer and close the lid.
• Place the steamer over the simmering water in the wok and steam until the fish is cooked and the flesh flakes apart with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, sprinkle the scallions and sliced wild mushrooms on top of the fish and steam for 2 minutes more before serving. Serve immediately with the rice.
• Cook's Note: Also pairs well with a side of stir-fried vegetables such as bok choy or kai lan.

STEAMED SEA BASS WITH SCALLIONS AND GINGER

Steps:

• Put the fish in a shallow heatproof dish, such as a large baking pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper, inside and out. Disperse the scallions and ginger on top, underneath, and inside the fish. Combine the soy sauce, peanut oil, sesame oil, and sugar in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the fish.
• Set a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Fill the pan with water that comes up below the rack. Set the pan over 2 burners and bring the water to a boil. Set the baking dish with the fish on the rack, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the roasting pan tightly with foil. Steam the fish until a small knife or skewer can be easily inserted into the thickest part and the fillet comes off the bone fairly easily, 6 to 7 minutes.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

STEAMED SEA BASS WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Place the spring onions, ginger and chilli in a bowl and pour over the soy sauce and vinger.
• PLace the sea bass fillet, skinned sides up, on a board to make six small cuts into each fillet.
• place a banana lead or piece of baking parchment in the bottom of a a steamer basket and place a sea bass fillet on top. Spoon a quarter of the spring onion mixture over the fillet. Repeat with the remaining banana leaves and fillets. (If you have a large steamer you should be able to fit two leaves in the basket.
• Place the lid on the steamer and set over a saucepan of boiling water. Steam for 8-10 minutes, or until just cooked through, Keep warm and repeat with the remaining leaves and fillets, then serve immediately.

CHINESE STEAMED SEA BASS

Steps:

• Make 3 diagonal slashes on both sides of the fish to help with the cooking.
• Mix the marinade ingredients and marinate the fish with half the marinade while you get all the other ingredients ready. Be sure to rub it in between the slashes you made.
• Clean and cut the stems off the pak choi, leaving them whole.
• Slice the tomatoes.
• Thinly slice (julienne) the spring onions, ginger and chilli, as in the pictures.
• Decide on the dish that you are going to cook and serve the fish on. It doesn't matter if the head and tail hang over the edges. Line the dish with the tomatoes, followed by the pak choi.
• Place the marinated fish on the vegetables.
• Tuck a few ginger strips in the slices you made. Top the fish with half the aromatics - the spring onions, ginger and chilli strips. Keep the rest to top the finished dish with.
• Drizzle the rest of the marinade all over the fish and aromatics.
• Sprinkle some pepper, then steam the fish for 10 minutes. If you are using a makeshift steamer, the water wants to be simmering, not boiling. Check that the fish is cooked. You can do this by just lifting the meat off the bone with a butter knife or something similar. The meat should be completely opaque. If not done, give it another 2-3 minutes.
• Chop up the coriander (cilantro) while waiting for the fish to cook.
• When the fish is done, heat the 1 Tbsp of sesame oil in a small frying pan on medium heat. When smoking, quickly fry the rest of the spring onions, ginger and chillies for 10 seconds and pour this aromatic oil all over the fish.
• Top with the coriander and serve immediately.

STEAMED STRIPED BASS WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• For the striped bass: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray the bottom of a large baking dish with the cooking spray.
• Rinse the fish with cold water and pat it dry. Place it in the prepared baking dish. Season the fish with salt and white pepper. Scatter the sliced mushrooms in the dish. Sprinkle the sliced ginger over the fish and arrange the baby bok choy pieces around the fish, like a frame.
• For the sauce: Stir together the soy sauce, chicken bouillon powder, Shaoxing rice wine, sugar and sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour this sauce over the fish, which will convert to aromatic steam, cooking the fish.
• Pull a tight layer of plastic wrap over the baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 130 to 135 degrees F; the fish should flake apart gently, and the center should just be turning opaque, 15 to 18 minutes.
• For after steaming: Check to see that the fish is done. Place the scallions on top of the fish and replace the foil to retain heat and moisture.
• Combine the canola and sesame oils in a small saucepan and heat them to high until just smoking, about 2 minutes. Remove the foil and carefully drizzle the hot oil over the scallions and fish--it will sizzle. Finish by spooning the sauce over the fish.

STEAMED SEA BASS, CANTONESE STYLE

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the fish inside and out with 1/4 cup of wine.
• 2. Select a round or oval platter that's large enough to hold the fish but will fit inside the top of a steaming utensil. This could be a traditional Chinese bamboo or metal steamer, or a Western-style clam steamer.
• 3. Place the fish on the platter and set platter in the top of the steamer. Cover and steam over boiling water 10 to 15 minutes.
• 4. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce base by combining the 2 tablespoons of wine, garlic, scallions, ginger, and sugar in a small bowl.
• 5. Check fish for doneness. When cooked, the flesh will be white and pull easily from the bones. Remove the platter and pour off the liquid that has accumulated around the fish.
• 6. Heat the oil in a wok or saucepan, and when it is hot, add the sauce base. Cook, stirring until the sauce boils.
• 7. Pour soy sauce over the sea bass first, and then pour the boiled sauce over the fish. Serve immediately.

THAI STYLE STEAMED LEMON FISH

Steps:

• Clean the internal organs of the sea bass, slice the lime, slice the ginger and green onion, and slice the millet pepper.
• Make an incision on the fish belly, fill the incision and the fish belly with ginger, green onion and millet pepper, drizzle with cooking wine and marinate for 5-8 minutes. Take another dish, add fish sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, sugar and salt, stir well and set aside.
• Pour the mixed seasoning on the marinated sea bass, put it in a pot and steam it over water, take out the pot after 8-10 minutes. Spread cilantro and squeeze in lemon juice to complete the Thai-style steamed lemon fish.

STEAMED CHILEAN SEA BASS WITH CHINESE BROCCOLI, ASIAN AROMATICS AND BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Lightly saute shallots, ginger, garlic and sugar in the sesame oil until shallots are translucent. Add chicken stock and soy sauce to the mixture. Reduce liquid by half over medium heat and then add the black beans. Simmer for 10 minutes. Place aromatics in the bottom of the steam basket, and then place the fish and the broccoli on top of the steam basket. Place the steam basket over the simmering pot of water until the fish is cooked. Drizzle the sauce over the fish and serve.

CHINESE-STYLE STEAMED SEA BASS WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Rinse the fish thoroughly under cold running water; remove any debris from the cavity with a spoon; pat dry. Season the cavity with salt and pepper; stuff with the ginger slices, 4 slices garlic, and the cilantro sprigs. Rub the fish with 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put the bok choy, mushrooms, two-thirds of the scallions, the remaining garlic, the grated ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Season with pepper, and toss.
• Transfer half of the bok choy mixture to a 9 × 13-inch baking pan; place the fish on top. Top with the remaining bok choy mixture. Whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; drizzle over the fish. Tightly cover the pan with foil.
• Pour water to a depth of 1/4 inch in another 9 × 13-inch baking pan; bring to a boil on top of the stove. Reduce heat; let simmer. Set the pan with the fish on top; steam until cooked through, 16 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a platter; garnish with the remaining scallions and chopped cilantro. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil.

CHINESE-STYLE STEAMED SEA BASS WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Rinse fish thoroughly under cold running water; remove any debris from the cavity with a spoon; pat dry. Season cavity with salt and pepper; stuff with ginger slices, 4 slices garlic, and the cilantro sprigs. Rub fish with 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put bok choy, mushrooms, two-thirds of scallions, remaining garlic, the grated ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Season with pepper, and toss.
• Transfer half of bok choy mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; place fish on top. Top with remaining bok choy mixture. Whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; drizzle over fish. Tightly cover pan with foil.
• Pour water to a depth of 1/4 inch in another 9-by-13-inch baking pan; bring to a boil on top of stove. Reduce heat; let simmer. Set pan with fish on top; steam until cooked through, 16 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a platter; garnish with remaining scallions and chopped cilantro. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil.