Fish in Chili Sauce

The sound of the Chinese word for fish is similar to the word that means having extras or leftovers. This dish is a must for Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner.  Having the fish means that the family has so much that there is enough as leftover for the next year.

Ingredients

• 3 dried black mushrooms

• 1 dried black fungus

• 1 (1 3/4-lb/ 800-g) carp, cleaned and rinsed

• 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra to taste

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (cornflour)

• 4 1/4 cups (34 fl oz / 1 liter) vegetable oil

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 teaspoons grated ginger

• 5 oz/ 150 g ground (minced) pork

• 1 tablespoon rice wine

• 10 pickled red chiles, chopped

• 2 tablespoons pixian chili bean paste, chopped

• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce

• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

• 1/2–1 tablespoon black or balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper, plus extra to taste

• 4 scallions (spring onions), chopped

• 1 red chile, sliced, to garnish (optional)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Put the mushrooms and black fungus in 2 separate bowl and soak in cold water for at least 20 minutes, or until softened. Remove the mushrooms, squeeze dry, and discard the stems. Dice, then set aside. Tear the black fungus into small pieces.

China

Meanwhile, use a sharp knife to make 5–6 slashes on each side of the fish. Pat the fish dry using paper towels and sprinkle with the salt. Marinate for 10 minutes. Lightly dredge both sides of the fish with cornstarch (cornflour).

Heat the 4 1/4 cups (34 fl oz/1 liter) oil in a wok or large skillet (frying pan) to 350°F/180°C, or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds. Add the fish and deep-fry for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the fish from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Add the garlic and ginger to the remaining oil in the wok, add pork, and stir-fry over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the wine, then stir in the pickled chiles, chili bean paste, mushrooms, fungus, soy sauce, and sugar. Add 1 1/2 cups (12 fl oz/ 350 ml) boiling water and bring to a boil. Add the fish, reduce to medium heat, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes until cooked through. Flip over and cook for another 5 minutes until cooked through. Transfer the fish to a serving plate.

Bring the sauce in the wok to a boil. Simmer over medium heat, uncovered, for 2–3 minutes until the sauce has reduced. Finally, stir in the vinegar, white pepper, scallions (spring onions), and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the fish, garnish with scallions and red chile, if using.

Adapted from China: The Cookbook by Kei Lum and Diora Fong Chan (Phaidon, 2016)