Description
Discover the elegance of perfectly steamed snapper, a dish that combines simplicity with sophisticated flavors. This recipe showcases the traditional Chinese preparation method, where fresh ingredients and precise timing create a memorable dining experience.
This authentic Chinese-style steamed snapper features a delicate balance of fresh ginger, scallions, and a carefully crafted soy sauce mixture. The dish highlights the natural sweetness of the fish while incorporating aromatic elements that elevate its flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole snapper (2–3 pounds), cleaned and scaled
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- Fresh ginger strips
- Scallions, finely sliced
- Cilantro leaves
- For the sauce:
- Premium soy sauce
- Rock sugar
- Sesame oil
- Ground white pepper
- Water for diluting
Instructions
- Preparation:
- Clean the fish thoroughly and pat dry
- Make 3 diagonal slits on each side
- Place fish on a steaming plate
- Drizzle with Shaoxing wine
- Top with half the ginger strips
- Steaming Setup:
- Bring water to a boil in your steamer
- Place fish inside on prepared plate
- Cover with steamer lid
- Set timer for 8 minutes
- Final Touches:
- Remove fish carefully
- Discard cooking liquid and used ginger
- Arrange fresh ginger on top
- Heat oil until very hot
- Pour heated soy sauce mixture over fish
- Garnish with scallions and cilantro
Notes
- Select fresh fish, ideally from a live tank for best results
- Adjust steaming time: 8 minutes for smaller fish, 10 minutes for larger ones
- Always discard the cloudy cooking liquid after steaming
- Rock sugar is crucial for achieving authentic restaurant-style sauce flavor
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Asian