Steamed Fish With Black Bean Sauce

Hey Jude's Note:

I guess this might be called my 'signature' dish and my husband was astonished that I hadn't posted it here yet. The original recipe came from my dog-eared copy of More Long-Life Chinese Cooking From Madam Wong but I've changed it so much that now it's my own. The black beans can be found in oriental markets, they keep forever in a clean glass jar with a tight fitting lid. I make this with fish fillets, usually Chilean sea bass but any firm, white fillet will work. You can also use a whole fish, just make 3, deep, diagonal gashes on each side of the fish. Cooking time is approximate, depending on the type and size fish you use. My sea bass fillet are pretty thick so I steam for 10 minutes total on them. Cook less for thinner fillets. Serve this fish with rice to soak up the delicious juice and I also, ALWAYS serve it with my Baby Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce. My husband loves to spoon some of the sauce from that onto his fish.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 thick firm white fish fillets or 1 1/2 lbs red snapper
• 2 tablespoons fermented black beans
• 2 green onions, shredded into 1 1/2 inch long pieces
• 4 slices ginger, shredded
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons sherry wine or 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• cilantro (to garnish)

Directions:

1. If using a whole fish, make 3 deep diagonal slashes on each side of the fish.
2. Chop the black beans; place half of the black beans, scallions, and ginger on a heat-proof plate that can be used in the steamer; place the fish on top.
3. Sprinkle fish with the sugar, then pour the sherry or rice wine, soy sauce and oil on top; cover the fish with remaining black beans, scallions and ginger.
4. For steaming I use my electric wok and place 2 chopsticks next to each other in one direction and 2 more next to each other in the opposite direction, creating a platform.
5. Place the plate of fish on top of the steamer, over briskly boiling water, cover and steam 10 minutes for thick fillets, 20 minutes for whole fish and less than 10 minutes for thinner fillets.
6. fish is finished when fillets flake easily or when a chopstick will easily pierce the gill area on whole fish.
7. Remove to a platter and garnish with cilantro.
8. Serve over steamed jasmine rice and make sure to spoon the black bean sauce over the whole thing; YUM.

Reviews

[Nado2003]

I used cod and followed the recipe. I used the rice cooker to steam it. Delicous, easy and healthy. Thank you.

[Flaquis from S. Ca]

Pretty good recipe. My boyfriend did not really like it that much, but I thought it was good. We served it with a simple green salad and rice.

[zaar junkie]

This is a solid recipe. I put everything together in the morning before work so all I would have to do is steam the fish and bok choy when I got home. The flavor was good and the fish was so tender. I used a whole tilapia and the 20 minute steam time was perfect. To reduce dishes/cookware, I just added the bok choy to the steamer after 10-12 minutes. Quick and easy. Thank you.