Ingredients:
- 1 whole fish (such as sea bass or trout), cleaned and scaled
- 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
- 3-4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional garnish: chopped cilantro or parsley
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Steamer:
- If you have a steamer, fill the bottom pot with water and bring it to a boil. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use a large wok or a deep skillet with a fitted steaming rack or a makeshift one (like a heatproof plate or a small bowl).
2. Score the Fish:
- Make 3-4 shallow diagonal cuts on each side of the fish. This will help the flavors penetrate the flesh during steaming.
3. Season the Fish:
- Rub the fish with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, both inside and out.
4. Arrange the Ginger and Scallions:
- Spread half of the julienned ginger and half of the sliced scallions evenly on a plate that fits inside your steamer or on the makeshift steaming rack.
5. Place the Fish:
- Place the seasoned fish on top of the bed of ginger and scallions.
6. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, sesame oil, and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
7. Pour Sauce Over Fish:
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the fish, making sure to get some inside the cuts you made earlier.
8. Steam the Fish:
- Once the water in the steamer is boiling, place the plate or steaming rack with the fish inside the steamer. Cover and steam for about 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fish.
9. Garnish and Serve:
- Carefully remove the plate or rack from the steamer. Sprinkle the remaining ginger and scallions on top of the fish. If desired, garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
- Serve the ginger-scallion steamed fish immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.
Enjoy your flavorful and healthy Ginger-Scallion Steamed Fish!