Stewed mullet fish with pepper and fermented bean paste is a rustic dish, the fish meat is firm and very delicious, incredibly appealing. Let’s join TasteVN in the kitchen to learn 2 ways to make stewed dishes for the whole family to enjoy!
1. Stewed mullet fish with pepper
Preparation
15 minutes
Cooking
30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Stewed mullet fish with pepper For 4 people
Mullet fish 600 gr Fresh coconut water 500 ml Ginger leaves 3 leaves Chili 3 pieces Minced garlic 2 teaspoons Color sauce 3 teaspoons Fish sauce 3 tablespoons Mắc khén seeds 1/2 teaspoon Lemon juice a little Cooking oil 1 teaspoon Common seasoning a little (Salt/ pepper/ sugar/ monosodium glutamate)
What is mắc khén seed?
- Mắc khén seed, also known as aromatic wood seed, smelly wood, smelly toad, yellow tamarind. Mắc khén seeds have a spicy and fragrant taste and are a characteristic spice commonly used in the Northwest region.
- This is a familiar spice used in meals and delicious dishes of ethnic minorities.
- Mắc khén seeds are usually sold in supermarkets, food stores, or e-commerce websites.
Where to buy coloring sauce
- You can find coloring sauce for fish stewing at supermarkets, reputable grocery stores, or buy online at bachhoaxanh.com.
- When purchasing, pay attention to the packaging; the label must be intact, not discolored or torn. The product inside should not be moldy, leaking, or showing any abnormal signs.
- Additionally, you can also make coloring sauce at home to ensure the safety of your family’s health.
See details: How to make coloring sauce at home
Tools needed
Clay pot, knife, cutting board, bowl, spoon,…
How to cook braised mullet fish with pepper
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Prepare the mullet fish
Buy mullet fish, scale it, remove the gills, gut it, wash it clean with water, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
To eliminate the fishy smell, add a little salt and lemon juice to the fish, then gently massage it, rinse again with water, and let it drain.
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Marinate the mullet
Marinate the fish with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 3 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 3 tablespoons of fish sauce.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed mac khen, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of cooking oil, mix well to let the fish marinate for 15 minutes to absorb the spices.
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Stew the mullet
You prepare a clay pot, line a bit of ginger leaves at the bottom of the pot, and add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic on top. Then arrange the marinated mullet in the pot, add 3 chili peppers along with the marinade.
Next, place the pot on the stove and cook on high heat until the fish firms up, then add 500ml of coconut water and bring to a boil.
When the coconut water boils for about 5 minutes, reduce the heat to a simmer and stew until the liquid reduces, adjusting the seasoning to taste.
Add 2 teaspoons of pepper, stew for another 10 minutes, then add chopped green onions and turn off the heat.
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Final Product
Hot braised mullet fish with pepper, fragrant with the smell of mac khén, the fish meat is firm, aromatic with mac khén and fresh ginger leaves, extremely appealing.
You can serve it with hot rice, guaranteed to make you eat a lot.
2. Braised Mullet Fish with Fermented Soybeans
Preparation
20 minutes
Cooking
30 minutes
Difficulty Level
Easy
Ingredients for Braised Mullet Fish with Fermented Soybeans Serves 5
Mullet fish 1.5 kg Tomato 1 piece Coconut water 500 ml Green onions 5 stalks Green chili 1 piece Fermented soybeans 100 gr Tomato sauce 50 gr Shallots 3 bulbs Chili paste 1 teaspoon Fish sauce 1 teaspoon Cooking oil 2 tablespoons Common spices a little (salt/ pepper/ sugar/ seasoning powder/ monosodium glutamate)
Where to buy fermented soybeans
You can buy fermented soybeans at markets, supermarkets, or local grocery stores. Additionally, you can also make fermented soybeans at home following TasteVN’s instructions.
How to choose fresh and delicious tomatoes
- You should choose ripe tomatoes that are bright red, evenly colored, not scratched, and plump.
- They should have a light fragrance and when you gently pull the stem, it should not come off.
- Avoid buying overly large tomatoes that have no stem, feel light in hand, and are soft.
How to prepare braised mackerel with fermented soybeans
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Prepare the mackerel
Remove the fins, gills, and intestines from the mackerel after purchasing it, and scale it.
Then, wash the fish with water and soak it in a diluted saltwater solution for about 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water and let it drain.
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Prepare other ingredients
Tomatoes are washed and cut into wedges. Shallots are peeled and chopped.
Green onions, roots removed, washed, chopped, separating the green tops and white bottoms.
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Marinate the fish
Put the fish in a bowl and marinate it with 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of fish sauce.
Add 1 teaspoon of chili paste, 50g of ketchup, 50g of fermented soybeans, chopped green onion roots, sliced shallots, and mix well to allow the fish to marinate for 30 minutes to absorb the seasoning.
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Cook the fish
Place a pot on the stove over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and wait for the oil to heat up before sautéing the shallots.
When the shallots are fragrant, add the tomatoes to stir-fry. Then, add 50g of fermented soybeans and 500ml of coconut water and bring to a boil.
Once the coconut water is boiling, add the fish to the pot to braise on low heat, add 1 teaspoon of whole pepper and 1 green chili, and let it cook for 30 minutes until the fish is done.
Season to taste, add chopped green onions, stir gently, and turn off the heat.
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Final product
A plate of braised mullet with fermented soybeans is fragrant and visually appealing. The fish meat is firm and sweet, harmonizing with the rich, flavorful braising sauce that is very delicious and attractive.
How to choose fresh and delicious mullet
- To choose fresh and delicious fish, you should select living fish that are swimming vigorously. Fish with short, round bodies are female mullet that have many eggs.
- Good mullet usually has red gills, shiny scales, firm meat, and clear eyes. When placed in water, the fish sinks, and the meat has good elasticity.
- Do not choose fish that feel slimy to the touch, have an unpleasant odor, or have dark, pale meat, as these are fish that have been dead for a long time and may be spoiled.
See details: How to choose fresh, quality fish
How to eliminate the fishy smell of mullet
- Using salt or rice water: After cleaning the fish, you can rub it with salt or soak it in rice water for about 15 minutes to eliminate the fishy smell.
- Using lemon and vinegar: You can dilute vinegar with cold water or lemon with cold water. Then soak the fish for about 5 minutes to quickly eliminate the fishy smell. This method is very useful for smooth-skinned fish.
- Using white alcohol: Use diluted white alcohol, marinate the fish for about 2 minutes, then dry it off; the fish will smell much less fishy.
See details: Effective ways to eliminate the fishy smell of fish
See more
The article above has provided you with 2 ways to make braised mullet with pepper and fermented soybeans that are delicious and appealing for family meals together, making it cozier. Wishing you success and a delicious meal with your family!
*Refer to images and recipes from the YouTube channel: thithifood saigon and Delicious Cooking Anh Vlog
