Chinese New Year Recipes

Red Snapper In Auspicious Sauce

Fish dishes are important as it signifies surpluses and prosperous connotations. Fish (魚yú), when pronounced, sounds like "surpluses"(餘yú). As the Chinese phrase goes "年年有餘; pinyin: nián nián yǒu yú" meaning "may there be surpluses every year" sounds similar to "may there be fish every year." You will find that fish dishes are must haves in any Chinese food recipes for any special occasions, be it anniversaries, birthdays or celebrations of victory.

Chinese fish recipes can be either steamed, deep fried or pan fried. I personally like deep fried versions. I just delight in the combination of crunchy fried fish with sauce drizzled over it.

I also make a point to buy fish in the mornings so that they are fresh. Avoid fish with 'bleeding' eyes. The eyes should be transparent and clear. That is the tip my mother taught me. And not to forget, gills must be rich red. If colours are dull, ditch the fish.


Ingredients

4				Red Snapper Blocks; marinade in salt and pepper
2				Egg Whites
2 1/2 tbsp			Cornflour
4 cloves			Garlic; chopped
2 inches			Ginger; slivered
1				Red Bell Pepper
1				Yellow Bell Pepper
2				Small Tomatoes
1 tsp				Ground Pepper
3				Medium Shiitake Mushrooms; sliced
2 tbsp			Soy Sauce
1 tsp				Sesame Oil
2 tbsp			Cooking Wine
1 tsp				Sugar
10 tbsp			Water

Method

Slice red, yellow bell peppers and tomatoes. Set aside first.

Next, slice mushrooms and place them next to garlic and ginger.

Prepare oil for deep frying. Dip fish blocks in egg white, coat lightly with cornflour and immerse into hot oil. Fry all four blocks until fish turn golden light brown. Dish out and drain excess oil. Arrange onto serving plate.

To prepare sauce, on a clean wok, stir fry garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add in sliced mushroom, bell peppers and tomatoes. Stirfry awhile before adding soysauce and sesame oil. Add 3 tbsp water and cook a while. Add sugar and pepper to taste. Lower heat and add wine. Add in cornflour mixed in water. Give the sauce a quick stir. Once it starts to thicken, turn off heat. Scoop sauce and drizzle over fried fish.

Serve your Red Snapper In Auspicious Sauce piping hot!

_________________________

Return from Snapper In Auspicious Sauce to Chinese New Year Recipes