Monday, August 08, 2011

Braised Pan Fried Snapper with Spicy Bean Paste




Ever since I experimented with Soy Bean Paste, I am in love with it. Chinese cooking is not the same without it anymore. Usually I would say that my must haves in the kitchens are oyster and soy sauce but I'm beginning to feel that this is one of the musts have in a chinese kitchen as well.

I would never recommend it to have it regularly of course- as the amount of salt in there would be quite scary to know. But the occasional use of it in dishes, I presume should be fine.

I nearly hesitated posting this dish as I didn't like the look of the fish head! However, this is my first attempt in braising a fish- usually I would steam a whole fish and pan fried fillets instead. Hubby encouraged me to post it anyway, since I was stepping out of my comfort zone in the kitchen.

The photos are not very well taken- I'm really sorry. I need to find a way to make a whole fish sexy! How do photographers do that???

Nevertheless, it was one way of introducing more fish in our diet. Always a good thing isn't it?


Braised Pan Fried Snapper with Spicy Bean Paste  
300 grams of baby snapper cleaned

1 onion sliced
1 knob of ginger sliced
2 chilli chopped
1 tsp of garlic
2 tablespoon of soy bean paste
1/2 cup of water

Lightly salt the snapper. Oil pan and pan fried till cooked with a nice crisp (but not deep fried). When the fish is nearly done. I push it aside, and start frying garlic, ginger and onions till soft. Added the chili, soy bean paste and water. Simmer. I spoon it on the fish and let the fish absorb the flavours for around 4 minutes. Serve warm with rice.


Photobucket

13 comments:

  1. I am a fish lover, I adore cooking fish with spicy bean paste. They go along together! Sound so good.
    Cheers,
    Dwiana

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  2. I thought I was a red meat person... Until I tasted this. Still craving for more :)

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  3. I thought it looks very sexy to me hehe... and yes, love teocheo... very good for Chinese cooking!

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  4. So soy bean paste is the secret, eh...need to find some! And I think the fish looks super sexy!

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  5. I love any fish wt bean paste..great choice pairing with bean paste!!

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  6. Perfect timing. my husband came in last night at 10 with abut 30 pounds of fish from his off shore fishing trip! i have so much fish to cook I don't know what to do with it all. This pan-fried and braised snapper looks amazing and love the recipe

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  7. i always have a jar of soybean paste in my fridge. Most of the time i cook it with fish or steam/braised that with pork ribs/chicken. quite versatile to me. Talking about photographing, me also having frustated taking fish..actually not only fish, cooked dishes, just doesnt right all the time.

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  8. It looks sexy delicious to me too!

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  9. my grandma used to make this when I was young...loveee it with muchh rice :D

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  10. Looks great, eating fish is always good. I tried to cook it twice a week.

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  11. ya, i like to cook similar tauchu fish, YUM!

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  12. dwidlebug- thanks!

    armand- haha, but u wouldn't say no to steak...

    DD- thanks!

    Joanne- haha ;) you got to try some!

    noobcook-I can't believe I have only recently found that out.

    Asian Kitchen- Yeah! I really need to learn how to cook with fish more.

    Jessica- You will love this!

    Lena- I'm glad I'm not the only one but you are doing a far better job than myself!

    tigerfish- you are so sweet!

    rita- oh yeah! rice is the best with this!

    Ching- Yah! I am trying hard to have fish at least twice a week too.

    Sonia- Yay!

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  13. My mom used to cook this back home. I miss this so much. :D

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