Recipe: Steamed Chinese Pomfret 斗底鲳 with Soy Sauce

During CNY, fish is commonly served as fish symbolises "surpluses for the new year" and abundance. Chinese pomfret 斗底鲳 is a popular fish amongst the Chinese so often, you will find the prices for this fish skyrocketing at CNY.

Growing up, my parents would often cook us Chinese pomfret, all throughout the year and not just at CNY time. Recently, we were delighted to find a decent fishmonger around our area which can supply us with fresh pomfret. It's easy to cook and healthy, and our kids love it too! :)

If you cannot get a large pomfret, these small ones are equally as good and at a fraction of the price. The flesh is firm and smooth.We usually steam the Chinese pomfret with soy sauce and ginger - this method of preparation is simple, however this is the best way to enjoy the natural sweetness and taste of the fish.

Smooth flesh, simply steamed in soy sauce ;)

Steamed pomfret with soy sauce
Recipe by Baby Sumo
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves 5


Ingredients
5 small pomfrets (about 200g each)
3 tbsp cooking oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
3 inch old ginger, julienned
2 tbsp ginger wine
4 tbsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
A dash of white pepper



1. Clean the fish and pat dry. Arrange the fish on a large stainless steel plate, or any heatproof dish suitable for steaming. Top with ginger.

2. In a large wok, heat cooking oil over medium high heat and then add the garlic and shallots, stir frying for about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant. Using the spatula, scoop the oil, garlic and shallots, and pour over the fish. Drizzle ginger wine, and light soy sauce over the fish and add the sesame oil and white pepper.

3. Place a steamer rack in the wok and pour boiling water into the wok (the water level should be about 1.5cm below the rack). Bring to the boil.

4.  Place plate containing fish on the steamer rack, then cover with lid and steam for 8 minutes. To test if fish is cooked, use a chopstick to poke the thickest part, it should go all the way through easily.

5. Serve immediately.

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