{"id":714,"date":"2017-01-26T22:35:50","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T22:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/redhousespice.com\/?p=714"},"modified":"2022-06-07T17:50:37","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T17:50:37","slug":"sweet-sour-fish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redhousespice.com\/sweet-sour-fish\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweet and sour fish (\u7cd6\u918b\u9c7c)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chinese sweet and sour fish ready in 20 minutes. No deep-frying required. A must for Chinese New Year feast or other meals for special occasions. Follow my recipe to learn how to cook it to perfection. <\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Belief about fish & good luck<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in a small town near the Gobi desert in North-west China, fish was a rare treat on the dinner table. Yet, for Chinese New Year<\/a> (aka Spring Festival<\/em>), a well-prepared whole fish, such as today’s recipe Sweet & Sour Fish, was a must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Chinese language the character “余” (abundant<\/em>) has the same pronunciation as the word 鱼 (fish<\/em>), therefore we say that eating fish brings good luck: 年年有余 (May you get more than you wish for every year<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I didn’t care very much about this superstitious belief, fish is part of my childhood memories of New Year celebrations and my favourite way to enjoy it was with sweet and sour sauce.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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It’s very simple to prepare<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Fish<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unlike in my childhood, now we can enjoy sweet and sour fish anytime of the year. It doesn’t even have to be a weekend special because it’s very simple to prepare. 20 minutes is all you need to finish this good-looking, flavour-bursting dish (Note: Don’t forget to ask the fishmonger to gut and descale the fish. This will save you lots of time and hassle<\/em>). Only three steps needed:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Coat the fish with cornstarch and chop the fresh ingredients<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Sear the fish skin in hot oil, then stir in the chopped ingredients<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Pour the sauce mixture in, then cook with lid on<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    What type of fish to use<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    For shooting this recipe, I used rainbow trout<\/strong> which has less small bones. Sea bass, sea bream and grass carp<\/strong> are great choices too. In China, whole fish (with the head on) is always used for this dish as Chinese appreciate the look and believe it tastes the best this way. I know that some people in the West are not used to eating whole fish with all the bones inside as they think it’s too fussy and messy.  If you wish, please feel free to use boneless fish fillet<\/strong>. It will taste nice too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    No deep frying required<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In the traditional version of this dish, fish is usually coated in batter and then deep fried. To be honest with you, this is not my preferred way to cook it. It’s time-consuming, greasy and somehow it undermines the natural taste of the ingredient, especially when too much batter is added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My version of sweet and sour fish doesn’t involve deep-frying. Here is what you need to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Use kitchen paper to dry the fish completely. Coat it with a thin layer of corn starch. Then cut at 45 degree angle several times on each side (this helps to season the fish evenly).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. In a hot wok, seal the skin of the fish with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. It’s done when both sides become golden and firm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      \"Frying<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Make a balanced sauce<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Many may agree that to Western diners sweet and sour is one of the most famous flavour combinations in Chinese cuisine (think Sweet and Sour Ribs<\/a>, Sweet and Sour Meatballs<\/a>, and more). But I find that this great flavour has been misinterpreted by many European Chinese restaurants (especially takeaways<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The problem is that the sauce doesn’t contain the right balance of flavours. Often they are just far too sweet.  Also, the meat to sauce ratio isn’t always appropriate. No matter what the meat, whether pork, chicken or fish, an excessive quantity of sauce makes them taste identical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The sweet and sour sauce used in my recipe is rich and balanced in flavour. You may substitute some of the condiments by ingredients more commonly available in Western kitchens:  replace white rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar, use white wine in stead of Shaoxing rice wine. It won’t go wrong, I promise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      Other fish & seafood recipes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Don’t fancy cooking a whole fish? Check ot my recipe for Sweet and Sour Salmon<\/a> which uses boneless filets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"sweet<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      For other fish and seafood recipes<\/a>, have a look at these popular ones:<\/p>\n\n\n

      <\/innerblocks><\/header>
      \"cantonese<\/a><\/div>

      Steamed Fish, the Chinese Way (清蒸鱼)<\/a><\/h3><\/div><\/article>
      \"Cooked<\/a><\/div>

      Scallion Ginger Salmon with Soy Dressing<\/a><\/h3><\/div><\/article>
      \"\"<\/a><\/div>

      Sichuan boiled fish (Shui Zhu Yu, 水煮鱼)<\/a><\/h3><\/div><\/article>
      \"Kung<\/a><\/div>

      Kung Pao shrimp (宫保虾仁)<\/a><\/h3><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n\n
      <\/div>
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      \"braised<\/div>\n\t
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