Lunar New Year Fish Recipe

1.Grilled Fish with Spicy Sauce

Ingredients:

1 whole grass carp (cleaned and scored)
2-3 sprigs green onions (scallions)
2-3 slices ginger
2 tbsp cooking wine
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp cooking oil
Additional cooking oil for brushing
1 tbsp cooking oil (for stir-frying)
2-3 sprigs green onions (scallions), chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns
1-2 hot pot seasoning cubes (optional)
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp white pepper
1 tsp sugar
Assorted vegetables (such as bok choy or mushrooms)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Sliced green and red peppers (for garnish)
Dried chili peppers (for garnish)
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fish: Score the fish and place it on a plate. Add green onions and ginger on top, then drizzle with cooking wine, salt, white pepper, soy sauce, and cooking oil. Rub the seasonings evenly on the fish and marinate for 20 minutes.

2.Grill the Fish: Remove the green onions and ginger from the fish. Brush both sides of the fish with a layer of oil and place it on a baking sheet. Preheat the grill or electric cooker and bake the fish for 15 minutes until golden brown.

3.Make the Sauce: Heat oil in a pan over low heat. Add chopped green onions, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and hot pot seasoning (if using). Stir-fry until fragrant and the oil turns red. Add water, soy sauce, white pepper, and sugar to the pan. Bring to a boil.

4.Cook the Vegetables: Add vegetables to the pot and cook until tender. Remove and set aside on a serving plate.

5.Assemble the Dish: Place the grilled fish on top of the cooked vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over the fish.

6.Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, sliced peppers, dried chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns. Drizzle with hot oil and top with fresh cilantro before serving.

2. Pan-Seared Fish with Fish Tofu Stew

Ingredients:

1 whole fish (such as tilapia or bass), cleaned and dried
2 tbsp cooking oil
Water (enough to cover half of the fish)
1-2 tbsp cooking oil (for stir-frying)
Aromatics (e.g., garlic, ginger, and onions)
2-3 pieces of fish tofu (or regular tofu)
2 tbsp vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions:

1.  Pan-Sear the Fish: Pat the fish dry with paper towels and heat a little oil in a pan over low heat. Sear the fish on both sides until golden brown.

2. Add Water: Once the fish is seared, add water to the pan until it covers about half of the fish. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

3. Prepare the Aromatics: In another pan, heat oil and sauté garlic, ginger, and onions until fragrant.

4. Stew the Fish: Add the seared fish to the aromatics. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

5. Add Fish Tofu: After 15 minutes, add the fish tofu to the pot and continue simmering for another 5 minutes.

6. Add Vinegar and Sauce: Pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar into the pot and drizzle the sauce over the fish.

7. Reduce the Sauce: Increase the heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce, then lower the heat again.

8. Garnish and Serve: Add fresh cilantro and cover the pot for 2 more minutes before serving.