Food & Receipts

“A Tasty Treat: Spicy-Sweet Braised Mudfish”

Step into the world of culinary delights as we bring you a mouth-watering treat - a simple yet delectable dish of mild-flavored, braised silver carp that's sure to tantalize your taste buds and have you asking for more!

Administrator

26 August, 2024

Preparation
30 minutes Cooking
25 minutes Serves
2 – 3 people

Catfish and squash stew is a rustic dish that is incredibly tasty and nutritious. In today’s article, let’s explore the detailed steps to make this delicious and easy-to-prepare stew!

1 Ingredients for Catfish and Squash Stew

About 1kg of catfish
50g minced shallots
50g chopped spring onions
10g minced ginger
4-5 cloves of garlic, left whole
50g sliced chili peppers
Seasonings: salt, sugar, fish sauce, MSG, and black pepper

Ingredients for the catfish and squash stew

Tip: Choose catfish with bright-colored skin, preferably green or grayish-silver. The body should feel firm, not soft or watery. It should have good elasticity when touched, without any dents. Look for plump bodies with scales firmly attached.

2 How to Make Catfish and Squash Stew

Step 1 Prepare the Catfish

Preparing the catfish

Thoroughly clean the catfish to remove any slime. Wash the fish with salted water, then rinse it again with clean water and set it aside to drain.

Step 2 Prepare the Stewing Liquid

Preparing the stewing liquid

Heat a pan over the stove and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add half of the minced garlic, ginger, and chopped spring onions. When the garlic turns golden, pour in about 300ml of water, along with 2-3 tablespoons of coloring sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of MSG, and 3-4 tablespoons of fish sauce. Bring this mixture to a boil.

Step 3 Marinate the Catfish

Marinating the catfish

In a separate bowl, marinate the drained catfish with the remaining chopped spring onions, minced garlic, minced chili peppers, 2 teaspoons of MSG, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Mix well to ensure the fish absorbs all the flavors.

Step 4 Stew the Catfish

Stewing the catfish

Once the stewing liquid is boiling, add the marinated catfish and start stewing. Make sure to turn the fish over so that it cooks evenly on all sides. Cook over high heat for about 10 minutes, and your delicious catfish and squash stew will be ready!

Step 5 Final Product

Final product

When the fish is cooked, transfer it to a serving dish and garnish with some spring onions on top to enhance the aroma. This dish goes perfectly with steamed white rice, and your family is sure to love it!

3 Enjoy!

Enjoy your meal!

The catfish and squash stew has a rich and savory flavor, with tender fish meat infused with spices. The stewing liquid has an appealing brown color, making the dish even more mouthwatering. Don’t forget to save this recipe so you can treat your family to this delicious meal!

That’s the recipe for catfish and squash stew! If you love this dish, don’t hesitate to try making it for your family. They will surely enjoy it!

Frequently asked questions

A delicious way to cook mudfish is to braise it with a spicy-sweet sauce. The recipe includes a blend of spices and herbs, including chili, lemongrass, and ginger, creating a flavorful and aromatic dish.

The essential ingredients are mudfish (fresh or frozen), fish sauce, sugar, chili, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots, and cooking oil. These ingredients create a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

To make the sauce, you’ll need to caramelize the sugar first. Heat sugar in a pan until it melts and turns golden brown. Then, add fish sauce, chili, and water, stirring to combine. This creates a balanced sauce with a spicy kick and a hint of sweetness.

First, clean and cut the mudfish into portions. Marinate the fish with a mixture of fish sauce, crushed garlic, and ground pepper. In a separate pan, heat oil and fry the shallots, lemongrass, and ginger until fragrant. Add the marinated mudfish and pour the spicy-sweet sauce over it. Simmer until the fish is cooked through and the sauce thickens.

This flavorful dish goes well with steamed rice or noodles. You can also serve it with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh salad. For an authentic Vietnamese experience, try serving it with pickled vegetables and rice.