Steamed Fish Recipe (清蒸鱸魚…年年有餘)

Steamed fish is a classic dinner dish on any occasion, especially big family dinners. One of the biggest family dinners is a new year celebratory dinner. Like every other dish on the Chinese new year dinner table, it is named after a lucky phrase or pun. 

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LUCKY PHRASE MEANING 年年有餘

“ 年年” or “nian nian” refers to every year and “ 有餘” or “Yo yu”  is a pun using the word “餘” or “Yu” which is also the same pronunciation as “ -” which refers to fish. The combination of these characters is a greeting phrase that wishes you good fortune and wealth.

This recipe is a classic asian steamed fish that includes a sweet twist to it by adding dates to the dish. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 live sea bass ( 2lbs)
• 10 red dates
• 3 green onion
• 3 tbsp steam fish soy sauce
• 3 tbsp of oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

First, scrape the fish scales and remove all the internal organs. Wash the fish body and insides thoroughly. Pat it dry with a paper towel

Next, Wash the red dates. Cut them into half and remove the core.

Remove the roots of green onions. Wash it and cut it into one inch pieces and then cut it into strips.

Then, place some green onions and red dates on the bottom of the dish first. Next, put the fish on the top and add the rest of the red dates evenly around the dish. Steam the fish for about 12 minutes.

After steaming the fish, pour out half of the water in the dish.

Put 3 tbsp of oil in a different wok. After the oil is boiled, turn off the heat and put in the strips of onion. Pour all the oil and green onions on the fish. Lastly, pour the steam fish soy sauce around the fish

TIPS

• Placing green onions and red dates on the bottom of the dish will allow the fish to cook evenly
• The red dates have a sweet taste. If you are not a fan of the fishy smell, you can add some ginger slices before you steam it.

Happy new year and wishing for a wealthy year ahead !

Make sure to check out the other Chinese New Year Recipes 2023 in our series !

Steamed Fish (清蒸鱸魚…年年有餘.)

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Ingredients

  

• 1 live sea bass 2lbs
• 10 red dates
• 3 green onion
• 3 tbsp steam fish soy sauce
• 3 tbsp of oil

Instructions

 

• First, scrape the fish scales and remove all the internal organs. Wash the fish body and insides thoroughly. Pat it dry with a paper towel
• Next, Wash the red dates. Cut them into half and remove the core.
• Remove the roots of green onions. Wash it and cut it into one inch pieces and then cut it into strips.
• Then, place some green onions and red dates on the bottom of the dish first. Next, put the fish on the top and add the rest of the red dates evenly around the dish. Steam the fish for about 12 minutes.
• After steaming the fish, pour out half of the water in the dish.
• Put 3 tbsp of oil in a different wok. After the oil is boiled, turn off the heat and put in the strips of onion. Pour all the oil and green onions on the fish. Lastly, pour the steam fish soy sauce around the fish

Notes

1.Placing green onions and red dates on the bottom of the dish creates a more even taste The red dates have a sweet taste.

2.If you are not a fan of the fishy smell, you can add some ginger slices before you steam it.

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