Chinese Steamed Fish With Black Bean Sauce Recipes

STEAMED FISH WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE (STEAMED VERSION)

Steps:

• To prepare the steamer, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Rinse fermented black beans with tap water, drain, and transfer to a bowl. Use the back of a spoon to smash the beans. Add garlic, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well. Or you can skip this step by using pre-made black bean sauce.
• Choose a plate that is big enough to hold all the fish fillets, can fit in your steamer, and has a bit depth so the juice from steaming won't spill to the pot. Spread the tofu in the center, and spread green beans around the tofu without too much overlapping. Lightly sprinkle salt over the green beans and the tofu. Arrange the fish fillets on top of the tofu. Spread the black bean sauce evenly over the fish. Place the plate into the steamer with boiling water. Steam covered for 8 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
• Carefully transfer the plate onto the kitchen counter with your oven mitts on. If the plate is difficult to lift from the steamer, leave it there. Spread the ginger and and green onions onto the fish.
• Heat vegetable oil in a small saucepan until it just starts to smoke. Immediately pour the oil onto the fish fillets to cook the green onions and ginger. You should hear a vibrant sizzle.
• Transfer the fish, tofu, and green beans to serving plate, pour the remaining juice over.
• Serve warm as main.

STEAMED FISH WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• If using a whole fish, make 3 deep diagonal slashes on each side of the fish.
• Chop the black beans; place half of the black beans, scallions, and ginger on a heat-proof plate that can be used in the steamer; place the fish on top.
• Sprinkle fish with the sugar, then pour the sherry or rice wine, soy sauce and oil on top; cover the fish with remaining black beans, scallions and ginger.
• For steaming I use my electric wok and place 2 chopsticks next to each other in one direction and 2 more next to each other in the opposite direction, creating a platform.
• Place the plate of fish on top of the steamer, over briskly boiling water, cover and steam 10 minutes for thick fillets, 20 minutes for whole fish and less than 10 minutes for thinner fillets.
• fish is finished when fillets flake easily or when a chopstick will easily pierce the gill area on whole fish.
• Remove to a platter and garnish with cilantro.
• Serve over steamed jasmine rice and make sure to spoon the black bean sauce over the whole thing; YUM.

CHINESE DEEP-FRIED FISH WITH SPICY BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the head from the fish (or have your fishmonger do this) and cut the fish into 2-inch thick steaks. Put the rice flour on a plate and season it well with salt and pepper; dredge the fish pieces in the rice flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a deep pot or a wok large enough to hold the fish, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. Carefully put in the fish and deep-fry until it is browned, crisp, and cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the fish pieces and drain them on paper towels; place them onto a platter.
• Carefully drain all but 3 tablespoons of oil from the wok. Stir-fry the scallions, ginger, garlic, and chiles for about 2 minutes. Add the black beans and fry for another minute. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water making sure to get out all the lumps. Pour this slurry into the black bean mixture (it will thicken immediately) and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish pieces, garnish with cilantro leaves, and serve.

STEAMED SOLE WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse the fish in cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt over the outside and into the cavity of the fish.
• Rinse the black beans in several changes of cold water and drain them. In a small bowl, mash beans, garlic, and sugar with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in sesame oil, rice wine, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Place fish in a 9-inch shallow heatproof bowl and spread black beans over fish on both sides and in cavity.
• Bring water to a boil over high heat in a covered steamer large enough to fit the dish without touching the sides of the steamer. Carefully place dish into steamer, cover, and steam 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand, covered, 4 minutes. Test fish for doneness by poling the thickest part with a fork or chopstick; flesh should flake. If not, resteam for 1 to 2 minutes or until fish just flakes. Carefully remove the dish from the steamer and pour off any liquid in the dish.
• In a small skillet, heat oil until hot but not smoking over high heat. Sprinkle ginger and scallion over fish. The oil will make a crackling sound as it hits the fish. Serve immediately.