Tips

The Secret to Flavorful Fish Stock Without the Funk

Introducing a delicious and hearty dish that is a favorite among many - braised fish. While some may shy away from this dish due to the strong fishy odor, fear no more! With our secret tips and tricks, you'll be able to create a mouth-watering, fragrant, and non-fishy braised fish that will have everyone asking for more. Stay tuned as we reveal the secrets to achieving the perfect balance of flavors and aromas in this traditional Vietnamese delicacy.

Administrator

16 July, 2024

1 Selecting Fresh Fish

The first step to creating a delicious and non-fishy pot of fish stew is to choose fresh fish. The taste of the dish heavily relies on the freshness of the fish.

It is recommended to pick live fish with intact and shiny scales. If the fish is already dead, gently press your finger on its flesh; if the flesh is elastic, the fish is still fresh. Check the gills, belly, and fins; if they are intact and the gills are bright red, the fish is freshly dead and its meat is still good.

Selecting Fresh Fish

2 Fish Preparation

The second important step is to clean and prepare the fish. Usually, freshwater fish has a stronger fishy smell than seawater fish. There are several tricks to reduce the fishy odor:

– Wash the fish with rice water. This is a traditional method passed down from our ancestors. After cleaning the fish, thoroughly rinse it with rice water, and the fishy smell will disappear.

– Soak the fish in diluted vinegar. This is another effective trick to eliminate the fishy smell. Dilute some vinegar with water and thoroughly rinse the gills and belly of the fish. The vinegar will neutralize the odor.

– Use a mixture of ginger, rice wine, and lemon. This combination is an excellent way to reduce the fishy smell while enhancing the freshness and taste of the fish.

When cleaning the fish, make sure to remove the black membrane inside the belly, as it is the source of the strong fishy odor. If you accidentally rupture the bile duct, wash the affected area with rice wine and then rinse it with cold water.

3 Marinating the Fish

If you are still concerned about the fishy smell, you can pan-fry the fish before marinating it. Fry the fish until the surface turns slightly golden. Then, marinate the fish for about 30 minutes before stewing to allow the flavors to penetrate the fish.

In addition to basic seasonings like fish sauce, salt, sugar, and cooking oil, you can add ginger, galangal, turmeric, and chili peppers to further reduce the fishy smell. Feel free to adjust the ingredients according to your regional preferences and personal taste!

4 Stewing the Fish

To create a delicious pot of fish stew, keep the following tips in mind:

– Avoid using cold water when stewing the fish. The key to a tasty dish is to use only fish sauce and seasonings, stewing until the liquid evaporates, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.

– Do not flip the fish too often during the stewing process, as it may cause the fish to break apart. Instead, cover the pot to allow the flavors to infuse the fish evenly.

– Adding a small amount of pork belly to the stew will enhance the flavor and make it more appetizing.

– Once the fish is cooked, you can add some extra seasonings like pepper, scallions, and chili peppers to enhance the aroma and presentation of the dish.

– It is best to consume the fish stew on the same day. Reheating the dish multiple times may affect the texture and taste of the fish.

For your reference:

If you are still hesitant to try fish stew because of the fishy smell, use the above methods to prepare and cook the fish. We wish you success in creating a delicious meal for your family!