Sweet and Sour Braised Mackerel with Starfruit: A Delicious Flavorful Recipe

How to prepare Braised Mackerel with Starfruit

• 1

  Prepare the mackerel

  To remove slime and eliminate the fishy smell, after buying the mackerel, clean the scales. Cut off the gills, tail, and fins, then gut the fish and remove all the insides, while also cleaning the blood vessels along the fish’s spine.

  Rub the fish with salt and rinse several times with water, then drain and cut the fish into bite-sized pieces.

  Place the fish in a bowl and marinate with 2 teaspoons of MSG, 1 teaspoon of pepper, then mix well and let the fish absorb the seasoning for about 15 – 20 minutes.

  Effective ways to eliminate the fishy smell of mackerel

  • To clean and eliminate the fishy smell of the fish, you can use rice washing water to soak the fish for about 15 – 20 minutes, then take it out, rinse with clean water, and proceed to cook.
  • You can also use a mixture of salt and alcohol to soak the fish for about 10 minutes and then rinse it with water.
  • Alternatively, use ginger to clean the fishy smell; soak the fish in water with 1 smashed ginger root for about 5 minutes, then take it out and let it drain before cooking.

  See details: 7 tips to easily and effectively eliminate the fishy smell of fish

  

  

  
• 2

  Prepare other ingredients

  For pork, to completely remove dirt and odor, you should use a knife to scrape off the hair, then soak it in diluted salt water for about 5 – 10 minutes. Rinse the meat with cold water and let it drain.

  Use a knife to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces. Then put it in a bowl and marinate with 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 3 teaspoons of fish sauce, then mix well and let the meat absorb the seasoning for about 15 – 20 minutes.

  Ways to eliminate the odor of pork

  • To completely remove the odor of pork, before cooking, briefly dip the piece of meat in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then take it out and rinse with cold water.
  • Another useful tip is that you can add a little white wine to the water used for blanching the pork. The wine is very effective in eliminating odors.
  • Use lemon, vinegar, salt, or ginger to rub on the pork and let it sit for about 5 – 10 minutes, then rinse with water.

  See details: Tips to eliminate odors from various types of meat that women should know

  Wash the starfruit thoroughly with water, use your hands to rub the crevices of the starfruit to remove dirt. Use a knife to peel the fibers on each edge of the starfruit, then cut the starfruit into bite-sized pieces.

  Peel the red onion and garlic, then chop them finely. Slice the chili pepper.

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Lightly fry the fish

  Place a pan on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and heat it, then add the onion and garlic to sauté until fragrant.

  When the onion and garlic are aromatic, add the mackerel and lightly fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the fish is cooked and firm on both sides, then remove and drain the oil.

  
• 4

  Braised fish

  Place a clay pot on the stove, layer all the starfruit at the bottom of the pot and then add the fish and meat on top.

  Next, add 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 tablespoon of salt, and sliced chili to the pot.

  Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes for the ingredients to absorb the seasoning. Then, add 1/2 cup of water to the pot.

  Braise the fish on low heat until the water in the pot reduces and thickens.

  Tip:

  • During braising, you can gently shake the pot to ensure even seasoning.
  • Avoid using chopsticks to stir too much as it can break the fish meat.

  Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking, sprinkle a little pepper on top, and it’s done.

  

  
• 5

  Final Product

  With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious dish to serve your family!

  Once completed, the mackerel braised with starfruit will have an appealing brown color. The fish is tender and sweet, the fatty pork belly absorbs the rich flavors combined with the characteristic sourness of starfruit that is incredibly appetizing. So why wait any longer? Get into the kitchen and show off your cooking skills right now!