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Preparation
20 minutes
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Cooking
20 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Dry Basa Fish For 4 people
Basa fish 1 kg Minced garlic 1 tablespoon Chili powder 1 tablespoon Common seasoning a little (salt/ sugar/ monosodium glutamate)
How to choose fresh and delicious basa fish
- Buy whole basa fish, choose one with a light brown back, and a bulging belly.
- Fins and tail intact, eyes clear, gills bright red, no unpleasant smell, and the flesh has a certain elasticity when pressed.
- Avoid choosing overly large fish, with cloudy eyes, overly soft flesh, an incomplete body, or a strange smell. Because they may have been frozen too long and are no longer fresh.
How to prepare dried basa fish
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Preliminary processing of fish
Fresh basa fish bought should have the head and guts removed, washed thoroughly, and drained. To get rid of the sliminess of the fish, rub the fish with salt and simultaneously use a brush or loofah to scrub.
Next, cut the fish into 3 pieces, then cut across to take the fish meat and leave the bones behind.
Continue to slice the filleted fish thinly, cutting without breaking the pieces so that the fish looks thin and long, and when marinated, it will absorb the flavors better!
Tip:
- Removing all the fish guts and bones helps the dried basa fish to be more flavorful and stored longer.
- The fish bones and head should not be thrown away; they can be used to make sour soup or frozen in the refrigerator for later use.
- Score the fish meat that has been cut so that when marinated, it absorbs the flavors better and looks more appealing as dried fish.
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Marinating the fish
Marinate the cut fish with a spice mixture including: 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 tablespoon monosodium glutamate.
Then mix well and marinate the fish for about 15 – 20 minutes for the fish to absorb the spices.
Tip: You can adjust the spices and the amount of chili powder to suit your family’s taste.
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Dry the fish
After marinating, place the fish on a tray or bamboo mat to dry in the sun for about 1 and a half days.
Tip:
- At night, you should bring the dried fish inside to avoid dew ruining the dried fish.
- Do not dry the fish for too long, as prolonged drying will make the fish hard, not soft and delicious.
- If there is no sunlight, you can dry the fish using a microwave for 7 – 8 hours.
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Final Product
The dried basa fish dish is completed, with a deep color, infused with visually appealing spices, alongside the characteristic aroma of dried fish combined with the strong scent of garlic and chili.
When eating, you can fry the dried fish until golden with a bit of cooking oil or grill it, served with white rice or as a snack, both are great!
How to succeed
- You should choose fresh basa fish so that the dried product is fragrant and does not spoil or mold.
- Dry the fish under direct sunlight, ensuring the weather is sunny for at least one and a half days, and avoid getting the fish wet during the drying process.
- Only drying the fish enough with the sunlight as mentioned will ensure that the fish is delicious, tender, and not overly dry.
How to store dried basa fish
- After drying the basa fish under enough sunlight, put it in a plastic bag or food container, seal it tightly, and store it in a dry place, avoiding damp areas; excessive heat will make the fish soft and prone to spoilage and mold.
- If you can use the dried fish in a short time, it is recommended to store it outside or in the refrigerator refrigerator for convenience in preparation.
- For those who want to use dried fish for a long time, dry the fish for 1.5 sunny days to ensure it is just dry enough and store it in the freezer of the refrigerator, which can be used for about 3 – 6 months.
- If you do not store dried fish in the refrigerator, after 2 – 3 weeks, take the fish out and dry it again to prevent mold and help preserve it better.
- If possible, you should put the dried fish in a plastic bag, use a vacuum sealer to remove all the air, and place the bagged fish in the refrigerator, which will help preserve the dried fish for a long time without the risk of spoilage.
See more:
Hopefully, through the method of making dried basa fish, you will gain experience to prepare this delicious dried dish for your family. Wishing you success!
*Refer to the recipe and images from the YouTube channel GẤU KUTE TV
