Velveted Fish Food

VELVET FISH WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Pour the egg white into a medium-size bowl, then add to it 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon rice wine and salt, and whisk until all the cornstarch has dissolved. Use a chef's knife held at a 45-degree angle to the cutting surface to slice the fish fillets crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Add the fish to the cornstarch mixture, then carefully toss it to coat the fish, and set aside to marinate for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Place the mushrooms in a small bowl, then pour hot water over them and allow them to soak for 20 minutes or so, until they are very soft. Remove the mushrooms from the water and dry them, then thinly slice each mushroom. (Reserve the mushroom-soaking liquid.)
• Make the sauce. Combine the oyster sauce, the remaining tablespoon of rice wine, soy sauces, vinegars and sugar in a bowl, then whisk to combine. Sprinkle in the remaining tablespoon cornstarch, and whisk to dissolve it into the sauce. Add a tablespoon of the mushroom-soaking liquid or water, and set aside.
• Velvet the fish. Fill a wok or large pot with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add a teaspoon of oil to the boiling water. Carefully add the fish to the water, piece by piece, working in batches so as not to crowd the pieces. Allow the fish to cook until it has turned opaque, approximately 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Using a skimmer or spider, transfer the fish carefully to a platter to rest.
• To finish the dish, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a wok or large skillet set over high heat. When the oil shimmers and is about to smoke, add the scallions, garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until the mixture is fragrant. Add the mushrooms, and continue to stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds. Stir the sauce mixture, and add it to the wok, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until it has thickened slightly. If it is too thick, thin it out with some of the mushroom-soaking liquid. Add the fish to the wok, and carefully toss until the flesh is coated. Transfer the mixture to a warm platter, and serve immediately.

VELVETED FISH

Steps:

• Mix together marinade, and mix together cornstarch paste.
• Cut the fish into 1/2-inch slices and put in a bowl with marinade; mix well and set aside.
• Drain and squeeze the mushrooms; remove the stems and slice the caps.
• Cut the red and green peppers into 3/4-inch strips, and then diagonally into lozenge shapes.
• Cut the scallion greens into bite-sized pieces.
• Heat the wok over high heat, then add some peanut oil. When hot, add the fish and stir with chopsticks to separate the slices; when they are white but not fully cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Drain off all but three tablespoons of the oil, and return the wok to the stove top over high heat; add the garlic, ginger, mushrooms and peppers and stir-fry until fragrant; add the fish and season with soy sauce, vinegar and salt to taste; add the stock, and then the cornstarch paste, stirring as it thickens the liquid to a glaze.
• Stir in the scallion greens and then, off the heat, the sesame oil. Serve.

FISH VELOUTE (VELOUTE DE POISSON)

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring with a wire whisk. When blended, add the stock, stirring rapidly with the whisk. When thickened and smooth, let simmer about 30 minutes, stirring often with the whisk.
• As the sauce cooks, globules or rivulets of butter will probably rise to the top. Skim off and discard this butter.