Today, TasteVN will guide you through 2 ways to make steamed red tilapia with fermented black beans and steamed red tilapia with lemongrass, super delicious for daily meals with simple steps that are easy to follow. Let’s get cooking and immediately make these 2 steamed dishes!
1. Steamed red tilapia with fermented black beans
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Preparation
15 minutes
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Cooking
30 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Steamed Red Tilapia with Fermented Black Beans For 4 people
Red tilapia 1 kg Bok choy 500 gr Carrot 1 piece Garlic 1 bulb Shallots 2 bulbs Ginger 50 gr (1 piece) Cilantro 1 piece Green onions 3 pieces Chicken powder 1 tablespoon Fermented black beans 2 tablespoons Soy sauce 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce 2 tablespoons Sweet sauce 4 tablespoons White wine 1 tablespoon Cooking oil 2 tablespoons Sugar/MSG A little
What is tàu xì? Where to buy it?
- Tàu xì is a product originating from China made from black soybeans by salting and fermenting the beans at room temperature.
- Currently, this ingredient is often used to prepare dishes such as tàu xì chicken feet, tàu xì tofu, etc. In addition, tàu xì is also used as a seasoning for stir-fried vegetables, which is also very delicious.
- You can buy Tàu Xì at shopping centers, supermarkets, or large grocery stores and TasteVN with a price range of 48,000 – 50,000 VND for a 226g jar (price updated on 26/5/2021)
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh bok choy
- Fresh bok choy will have bright green color, smooth leaves, no dark spots, leaves not wilted, withered, or turning yellow.
- In addition, when buying bok choy, you should choose the branches that feel heavy, not waterlogged, rotten, or with leaves turning yellow-black.
- Avoid buying large bok choy that feels light, as these are often old bok choy that has been stored for a long time.
How to choose fresh carrots
- You should choose medium-sized carrots, straight elongated shape towards the tail, with smooth skin, feeling firm, and slightly hard.
- Avoid choosing carrots with wilted, bruised tops, damaged bodies, slimy, showing bruises, and feeling soft when pressed.
- Additionally, you should also not choose carrots with large, thick leaves or stems at the root and the shoulders of the carrot, as these are old carrots that will have more fibers and less nutrition.
How to Prepare Steamed Red Snapper with Fermented Black Beans
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Prepping the Vegetables
Wash the green onions, remove the roots, cut them into pieces about 2.5 finger lengths, then slice them thinly. Peel and chop the shallots and garlic.
Wash the chili peppers, remove the stems, discard the seeds, and chop finely. After peeling the ginger, wash it and let it dry; chop half of it finely and slice the other half into thin strips.
Wash the carrots, peel them, shape them into flowers, and cut them thinly. After buying the bok choy, wash it thoroughly, then use a knife to cut off the base, halve it, and cut it into pieces about 2 finger lengths.
Before cooking, wash the fermented black beans with water and let them dry. Wash the coriander and cut it into sections.
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Prepare the red tilapia
To eliminate the fishy smell of the red tilapia after purchasing, clean it and remove all the entrails, then rinse with clean water, place it in basin, and rub salt over the fish before rinsing again.
Next, use a knife to fillet the fish, discarding the bones and cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
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Steam the fish
Arrange the fish neatly on a plate, then add 1 tablespoon of white wine and thinly sliced ginger on top.
Next, pour 300ml of water into a pot, then invert a bowl at the bottom of the pot and place the arranged fish plate on top, bring the water to a boil, cover, and steam for about 30 minutes until the fish is cooked, then turn off the heat.
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Make the black bean sauce
Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to the pan, wait until the oil is hot, then add minced onion and garlic, stir-fry until fragrant, then gradually add minced chili, minced ginger, and black beans.
Stir-fry until the ingredients are fragrant, then add 500ml of water along with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, and 4 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce, mix well, and cook until the mixture boils. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate.
Cook for another 2 minutes for the ingredients to dissolve, then turn off the heat.
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Boil the greens and carrots
Boil 600ml of water, then add the carrots and bok choy, boil for about 5 minutes until the carrots and greens are cooked, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water, soak for about 2 minutes, then remove and drain.
How to boil vegetables crisp and delicious
- Step 1: Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 500ml of water to a pot, bring to a boil, then add the vegetables, and boil for about 3 minutes.
- Step 2: After boiling, transfer to a bowl of ice water. The sudden temperature change will help the vegetables retain their color longer and become crisper and tastier.
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Finished product
After steaming, pour the soy sauce over the fish, then arrange the boiled carrots, bok choy, green onions, and cilantro on top, and you can enjoy it!
The steamed red tilapia will have an enticing aroma and a rich flavor from the sauce. The fish meat is tender and fragrant with a hint of white wine and ginger. The vegetables are boiled to a crisp, delicious perfection.
This will be a delicious dish for you to enjoy with your family after those tiring workdays. Get into the kitchen and make it now!
2. Steamed red tilapia with lemongrass
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Preparation
15 minutes
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Cooking
20 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
.jpg "2 Easy Ways to Make Steamed Red Snapper with Soy Sauce and Fragrant Lemongrass at Home 23")
Prepare and marinate the fish
After cleaning the scales, removing the intestines and gills of the red tilapia, rinse it thoroughly and then rub 2 tablespoons of salt onto the fish’s body, rinse again with water and let it drain.
Next, to marinate the fish, you add the ingredients including: 1/2 of the minced lemongrass, 1/2 of the sliced ginger, a handful of chopped dill, 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced lemongrass, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce into a bowl.
Use a spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the seasonings dissolve completely. Then, use a knife to make 3 cuts on the fish’s body and stuff the mixed ingredients into the fish’s belly.
Next, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt on each surface of the fish and rub it evenly for the salt to penetrate the flesh. After applying the salt, add 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce and pepper to each side of the fish, rub it in evenly, and let the fish marinate for 30 minutes.
Steaming the fish
Place the fish in the steamer, then add the sliced lemongrass, shredded ginger, sliced chili, chopped lemongrass, and the remaining dill. Wait for the water to boil, then put the fish into the pot, cover it, and steam on high heat for about 20 minutes until the fish is cooked and tender.
Making the dipping sauce
Add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of sugar into a bowl, then stir well until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 tablespoon of lime juice along with minced ginger and minced chili, mix well to finish.
Finished Product
Steamed red tilapia with lemongrass will have an enticing aroma of lemongrass once completed. Picking up a piece to taste, we will feel the delicious sweet flavor that is seasoned just right, dipped in a salty, spicy, and sour sauce. This dish is sure to make everyone in the family fall in love with it.
How to Choose Fresh Red Tilapia
- To buy the freshest red tilapia, you should choose live fish that swim actively in the tank.
- Choose fish with clear eyes, pink gills, shiny scales, a white anus that is retracted, and a flat belly without swelling.
- When buying, you should also observe the mouth and body of the fish to distinguish whether it is still fresh. If you see fish with closed mouths and when pressed gently, the body feels resilient without sinking in, then it is fresh and delicious fish.
- Avoid choosing fish that show abnormal signs such as bloating, weak swimming, pale color, or having a fishy smell or a slight ammonia-like odor.
How to eliminate the fishy smell of red tilapia
- Method 1: After cleaning the fish, cut it into bite-sized pieces and soak it in rice water for about 15 – 20 minutes. Then take it out and rinse it clean with water.
- Method 2: Squeeze lemon juice into warm water, then soak the fish for about 5 – 7 minutes and rinse it clean with water.
- Method 3: Use salt to rub on the fish’s body, then scale it and proceed to clean the fish.
Finally, we have completed 2 super delicious dishes of steamed red tilapia with soy sauce and steamed red tilapia with lemongrass for the whole family. TasteVN wishes you success and a warm meal with your family!
*Refer to images and recipes from the YouTube channel: Hướng Nghiệp Á Âu and Small Kitchen Corner
