Asian Fish Stock Recipes

ASIAN NOODLE BROTH WITH FISH

Steps:

• Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the noodles following the instructions on the pack.
• Drain the noodles in a colander, toss in a little sesame oil and divide the noodles between four serving bowls.
• Heat a large frying pan or wok over a medium heat and add a splash of vegetable oil. Stir-fry the garlic, ginger, mangetout, water chestnuts and half the chillies for 2 minutes until softened.
• Add the hot stock and bring to the boil.
• Drop in the sole pieces, cook for a minute and turn off the heat. Taste the broth and season generously with soy sauce and black pepper.
• Spoon over the noodles, dividing the fish, broth and veg evenly between the bowls. Drizzle over the lime. Serve with more soy sauce, and the coriander and chilli scattered over.

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 FISH STOCK

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat and add the onions, celery, ginger and serrano and saute until golden Add the fish bones and sweat for 10 minutes Add the remaining ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Simmer for 1 hour, partially covered Strain and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use I freeze in ice cube trays, and store the cubes in double ziplocks, until ready to use Ask your local fish store to save fish bones, for you.

POACHED FISH WITH GINGER & SESAME BROTH

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a deep sauté pan or wok with the vinegar, then add the ginger and garlic. Cover and cook for 5 mins to allow the flavours to mingle.
• Add the soya beans, broccoli and the fleshy part of the Chinese leaves, then place the spring onions and fish on top. Cover and cook for 4-5 mins more until the fish just flakes. Carefully lift the fish off, discard the ginger, and stir in the remaining Chinese leaf and the sesame oil. Ladle into bowls, top with the fish and sprinkle with the seeds.

NOODLE BROTH WITH THAI FLAVOURS

Steps:

• Bring the stock to a simmer in a large pan. Add the lemongrass, lime leaf or zest, ginger, fish sauce and as much chilli as you like. Simmer for 20 mins. Add the cabbage and simmer for another 30 mins until it is very soft. Add the carrots and beans, and simmer for 3 mins. Top up with more boiling water if necessary.
• Put the rice noodles in a bowl and pour over the boiling broth. Serve with a wedge of lime to squeeze over.

THAI-STYLE FISH BROTH WITH GREENS

Steps:

• Cook the noodles following pack instructions. Refresh in cold water and drain well.
• Put the stock in a large saucepan and stir in the curry paste, lime leaves, fish sauce and 250ml cold water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 mins.
• Cut the fish into roughly 3cm cubes and add to the pan. Return to a simmer, then cook for 2 mins uncovered.
• Stir in the noodles, prawns and pak choi, and simmer for 2-3 mins or until the fish and prawns are just cooked. Serve in bowls scattered with coriander.