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Preparation
15 minutes
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Cooking
15 minutes
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Difficulty
Medium
Fish sauce hotpot is a specialty dish of the southwestern people, and anyone who gets to taste this dish is strangely captivated. Today, let’s join TasteVN into the kitchen to make this hotpot dish!
Ingredients for Fish Sauce Hotpot For 4 people
Fish sauce 200 gr Snakehead fish 2 fish Straw mushrooms 200 gr Bitter vegetables 200 gr Eggplant 1 fruit Nettle 200 gr Water lily stems 200 gr Bitter melon 1 fruit Lemongrass 100 gr Chili 5 fruits Shallots 3 bulbs Garlic 1/4 bulb Seasoning a little (sugar-seasoning salt-pepper-msg)
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh snakehead fish
- Good snakehead fish usually have a moderate size, not too big or too small. The fish body is elongated, not too round, feels firm to the touch, and is not soft.
- Additionally, you can observe the fish’s anus to determine if the fish is still fresh. Fresh fish will have a small anus; if it is swollen, it indicates that the fish has died and is about to spoil, and sometimes it may be treated with chemicals.
- When processing, if the fish meat is soft, has a lot of fat in the belly, and has a foul smell, then it is not good fish.
How to choose fresh and delicious straw mushrooms
- You should choose mushrooms that are still budded, not yet opened, fresh, with a slightly round or cylindrical shape, and varying sizes depending on the type of mushroom. However, prioritize selecting straw mushrooms with uniform sizes when preparing dishes, as this will help make the dish tastier (no difference in flavor) and look more appealing.
- Additionally, choose straw mushrooms that are black or gray as they will taste better than the white ones. When touched and squeezed lightly, they should feel slightly firm.
Suggestions for buying snakehead fish sauce
- You should buy filleted snakehead fish sauce for easier preparation.
- Good fish sauce has a stronger fish aroma than the sweetness of sugar.
- Fish sauces with a strong sugar smell are new and haven’t aged enough, which will make them less tasty and not last long.
- You should buy fish sauce from reputable establishments, with brands and labels to ensure food safety and hygiene.
- You can also make snakehead fish sauce at home using TasteVN’s recipe to ensure safety and hygiene!
How to make Catfish Hotpot
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Prepare and Marinate the Fish
First, you need to scrape off the scales, clean the fins and tail of the fish. Next, remove the internal organs and the cloudy membrane inside the fish. Be careful to remove the white sinew next to the fish’s spine.
Use a knife to cut off the gills and trim the head. Throughout the process, you should use a sharp knife to make it easier to prepare the fish. The fish should be placed on a cutting board or a dry, flat surface to prevent it from slipping and moving, making it easier for you to handle.
After washing the fish, cut it into 3 pieces and sprinkle fried shallots and chili on top. Place the fish in a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of seasoning, 1 tablespoon of MSG, chopped shallots, and then mix well.
The types of vegetables served with the hotpot should have wilted leaves picked out, washed clean, and then soaked in salt water for 5 minutes to remove all toxins, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
How to eliminate the fishy smell of catfish- Method 1: Use salt to gently massage the fish for about 2 – 3 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
- Method 2: Use lemon juice or vinegar mixed with a small bowl of warm water and soak the fish for 3 – 5 minutes.
- Method 3: Take a little lime and rub it on the fish’s skin, then use banana leaves to scrub vigorously.
- Method 4: Take some kitchen ash, put it in the palm of your hand, and cover the entire body of the fish, then use your hand to wipe off the ash and rinse with clean water.
- Method 5: Soak the fish in rice water mixed with a little salt for 15 – 20 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
- Method 6: Use white alcohol: Marinate the cleaned fish with 2 tablespoons of white alcohol for 2 – 5 minutes. Then rinse with clean water.
- Method 7: Use various spices: You can also use the spices available in your kitchen, such as salt, seasoning, pepper, chili, etc., to marinate the fish.
See details: 7 tips to effectively eliminate the fishy smell.
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Cook fish sauce
Add 500ml of water to a pot and place it on the stove. When the water boils, add the fish sauce and cook until the sauce is thoroughly cooked and dissolved. After the fish sauce has completely dissolved, strain it through a sieve and only keep the liquid, discarding the fish bones.
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Stir-fry snakehead fish
Heat a pan on the stove with oil, add onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant, then add the fish and stir-fry briefly. When the fish firms up, it’s done.
Tip: Stir-frying the fish first will help it firm up and absorb the seasoning, reducing the fishy smell.
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Prepare the hot pot broth
Put the pot on the stove with cooking oil, when the oil is hot, add minced lemongrass, minced garlic, and minced shallots, sauté until fragrant. Next, add straw mushrooms, the cooked snakehead fish sauce, add 1 liter of filtered water, and bring to a boil.
After the water has boiled, add the stir-fried snakehead fish to cook until done. Add 1 tablespoon of monosodium glutamate, 4 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 chili peppers (add as much spice as you like). You should adjust to your family’s taste.
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Final product
When enjoying the snakehead fish hot pot, bring the broth to a boil and gradually add the washed vegetables, and you will have a delicious hot pot.
The hot pot broth goes very well with noodles, with the familiar flavors of the western region, it will surely bring you an unforgettable dish.
With the recipes shared above, you can easily prepare a delicious and special snakehead fish hotpot that everyone will love. Show off your cooking skills today, TasteVN wishes you success!
