Description
Experience the delicate flavors of Cantonese cuisine with this classic Steamed Fish recipe featuring fresh ginger and spring onions. The fish is steamed to perfection, retaining its tender, flaky texture while absorbing the fragrant notes of ginger and scallions. Topped with a simple soy and sesame oil sauce, this dish is light, healthy, and perfect for a traditional Asian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Aromatics
- 1 whole fresh fish (such as snapper or tilapia), cleaned and scaled (about 1 to 1.5 pounds)
- 5-6 slices of fresh ginger
- 3-4 spring onions (scallions), cut into lengths
- Fresh coriander (cilantro) for garnish (optional)
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Rinse the fish thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts on both sides of the fish to ensure even cooking and better absorption of seasonings.
- Season the Fish: Sprinkle salt evenly inside the cavity of the fish, on the surface, and inside the diagonal cuts to enhance natural flavors.
- Add Aromatics: Place fresh ginger slices inside the cavity and spread some on top of the fish. Distribute cut spring onions both inside the cavity and over the fish to infuse it with their fresh aroma.
- Prepare the Steamer: Bring water to a gentle boil in a steamer setup or in a deep pot with a heatproof plate suitable for steaming.
- Steam the Fish: Place the prepared fish on the heatproof plate. Cover and steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and easily flakes with a fork.
- Make the Sauce: While the fish is steaming, mix soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl. Adjust the proportions to taste for a balanced savory and nutty flavor.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the steamed fish from the steamer. Drizzle the soy-sesame sauce evenly over the top. Garnish with the reserved ginger slices and fresh coriander if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice and your favorite sides.
Notes
- Choose a fresh whole fish such as snapper or tilapia weighing about 1 to 1.5 pounds for best results.
- Make sure the water in the steamer does not touch the fish during steaming to avoid overcooking.
- You can adjust the steaming time depending on the thickness of the fish; thicker fish may require a few minutes longer.
- For a low-sodium version, reduce the amount of salt and soy sauce used.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
