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Winter Melon Braised Fish

EASY10 INGREDIENTS7STEP50 MIN·
Posted: 12/26/2024
Lonnie
BY Lonnie
Posted: 12/26/2024

Winter Melon Braised Fish play icon

Have you tried the combination of winter melon and fish? Today's Winter Melon Braised Fish has a tender taste and is very delicious with rice. Come and try making it!

2-3
SERVINGS
10
INGREDIENTS
7
STEP
50 min
TOTAL TIME

What is Winter Melon Braised Fish?

Winter Melon Braised Fish is a dish made with winter melon and fish as the main ingredients. When making this dish, people will choose fresh fish and sweet and juicy winter melon. The Winter Melon Braised Fish made by combining the two has tender fish and soft winter melon.

In life, whether Winter Melon Braised Fish is used for family gatherings or activity parties, it is very suitable. Its method is simple. Even if you are a novice, you can easily complete it.

Why do I like this recipe?

I like Winter Melon Braised Fish. First of all, it not only tastes good but also is rich in protein, vitamins and a variety of mineral components. Eating an appropriate amount can supplement sufficient nutrition for the human body and has certain benefits for human health.

Winter Melon Braised Fish Recipe

Secondly, because Winter Melon Braised Fish is an indispensable delicacy in my childhood. I remember that when I was a child, my grandma would always make it for me on special festivals. Now that grandma is gone, this dish has become my sustenance.

Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

Main ingredients

winter melon: It is the main ingredient of Winter Melon Braised Fish, with a sweet and juicy taste.

Grass carp: One of the main components, rich in protein, delicious in meat and rich in nutrition.

Side dishes

Ginger, scallions, garlic: Have a special smell and can play a role in removing fishy smell and enhancing fragrance.

Red pepper slices: Provide a spicy taste and at the same time add rich colors to the dish to increase the attractiveness of the dish.

Seasonings

Salt: Basic seasoning, providing saltiness and improving the taste of the dish.

Light soy sauce and dark soy sauce: Can color Winter Melon Braised Fish, increase the color and at the same time improve the umami taste of Winter Melon Braised Fish.

Substitutions:

Grass carp: Can be replaced by carp or bighead carp.

Ginger: Can be replaced by dried ginger powder.

Scallions: Can be replaced by coriander or onions.

Garlic: Can be replaced by small garlic or garlic powder.

Red pepper slices: If you don't like spicy food, you can omit it and use colored peppers instead.

Light soy sauce and dark soy sauce: Can be replaced by soy sauce.

Can I use crucian carp?

You can make it with crucian carp.

If there is no grass carp, you can choose to use crucian carp to make Winter Melon Braised Fish. Crucian carp belongs to freshwater fish. Its meat is tender and delicious and can blend well with winter melon.

But it should be noted that crucian carp has more fish bones. When handling it, you can remove some of them first. At the same time, be careful when eating to avoid being stuck in the throat by fish bones.

Tips for Success

Choose fresh ingredients

Grass carp: You can go to the market to choose live grass carp. Fresh grass carp has tender meat.

winter melon: Choose winter melon with emerald green skin. Fresh winter melon has a sweet and juicy taste and is rich in nutrition.

Ingredient processing

Grass carp: Cut the grass carp into sections. Remember to cut the grass carp into sections of uniform size and thickness so that it can be heated evenly during the cooking process.

winter melon: First remove the skin and core of the winter melon, and then cut it into pieces of moderate size so that it is easy to absorb the flavor.

Control the heat

winter melon needs to be stir-fried to bring out the flavor first. Stir-frying winter melon in advance can lock in moisture and increase aroma. This step needs to be stir-fried over high heat. When frying fish, use medium heat to avoid the fish from getting burnt due to excessive heat. When stewing Winter Melon Braised Fish, remember to boil it over high heat first and then simmer over low heat so as to keep the fish tender and at the same time prevent the soup from drying up.

Proportion of seasonings

When using salt, light soy sauce and dark soy sauce for seasoning, the proportion should be moderate to avoid being too salty. If you cannot adjust the dosage well, add it strictly according to the dosage in the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Main Ingredients

  • ·
    1000g winter melon
  • ·
    1 grass carp

Accessories

  • ·
    10g ginger
  • ·
    10g scallions
  • ·
    10g garlic
  • ·
    20g red pepper slices

Seasonings

  • ·
    30ml cooking oil
  • ·
    5g salt
  • ·
    30ml light soy sauce
  • ·
    5ml dark soy sauce

Hey, I'm Lonnie. I specialize in Chinese cuisine, with expertise in the flavors of Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong, and Hunan. I'm here to share my recipe insights and take you on a journey to discover the charm of Chinese culinary delights.

COOKING STEP

HIDE IMAGES

Step 1

Process ingredients:

Peel and core 1 kilogram of winter melon and cut it into pieces.

Take half of the fish body and half of the fish head from 1 grass carp after processing. Cut the fish body into 2-centimeter-wide pieces.

Slice 10 grams of ginger, cut 10 grams of scallions into chopped green onions, and mince 10 grams of garlic.

Process ingredients

Step 2

Stir-fry and fry winter melon:

Pour 30 milliliters of oil into the pot and stir-fry the winter melon until slightly charred, then take it out.

Stir-fry and fry winter melon

Step 3

Sauté seasonings:

Leave the base oil in the pot and add ginger slices and 20 grams of red pepper slices and stir-fry until fragrant.

Sauté seasonings

Step 4

Fry grass carp:

Put in the fish and fish head and spread it out and fry.

Fry grass carp

Step 5

Season:

Add 5 grams of salt and 30 milliliters of light soy sauce. Push the fish from time to time to prevent it from sticking to the pan. Then add 5 milliliters of dark soy sauce.

Season

Step 6

Simmer:

Pour in 500 milliliters of water. After boiling, cover the pot and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.

Simmer

Step 7

Plate:

Spread the winter melon on a dry pot. Put the fish pieces and fish head on it. Pour the soup and red pepper slices on it. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and keep warm on low heat.

Spread the winter melon on a dry pot

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Serving Suggestions

Recommended combinations

Rice: Winter Melon Braised Fish has a rich soup and is very suitable to be paired with rice. Rice can absorb its soup and make every mouthful of rice fragrant and rich.

Steamed buns: Winter Melon Braised Fish can also be eaten with steamed buns. Steamed buns can absorb the soup of Winter Melon Braised Fish and make its taste rich and varied.

Stir-fried lettuce: Winter Melon Braised Fish is also suitable to be eaten with various stir-fried vegetables. Common ones are stir-fried cabbage, stir-fried broccoli, stir-fried lettuce, etc. I like to eat stir-fried lettuce. You can choose according to your own preferences. Vegetables paired with Winter Melon Braised Fish are more balanced in nutrition.

Cold bean sprouts: If you like cold dishes, you can also pair Winter Melon Braised Fish with cold bean sprouts. Bean sprouts have a crisp and tender taste. Eating with Winter Melon Braised Fish can neutralize the greasy feeling of Winter Melon Braised Fish.

Serving suggestions

Eat in moderation: Although Winter Melon Braised Fish tastes better, pay attention to eating in moderation. Excessive consumption can easily increase the burden on one's own gastrointestinal tract and lead to indigestion.

Eat while it's hot: Winter Melon Braised Fish just out of the pot is the most delicious. It is recommended to eat it while it's hot to enjoy the best taste.

FAQs:

Q
What should I do if Winter Melon Braised Fish has a fishy smell?
A
If Winter Melon Braised Fish has a fishy smell, it is mainly considered that the fish is not processed cleanly. When processing grass carp, be sure to remember to clean the black film and blood in the belly of the grass carp. This is one of the main sources of the fishy smell of grass carp.
Q
What should I do if winter melon is easy to break?
A
winter melon is easy to break may be caused by cutting it too thin.
Therefore, when cutting winter melon, cut it thicker. At the same time, when stir-frying winter melon, turn it gently to avoid breaking the winter melon due to excessive force.
Q
What should I do if the soup of Winter Melon Braised Fish is not rich enough?
A
The soup of Winter Melon Braised Fish is not rich enough may be caused by insufficient cooking time or inappropriate proportion of seasonings.
To avoid this situation, you can appropriately extend the cooking time according to the situation to fully release the umami taste of fish and winter melon.
You can also increase the amount of seasonings such as light soy sauce and dark soy sauce according to personal taste to make the soup more rich and delicious.
Q
How can I avoid sticking when making Winter Melon Braised Fish?
A
Sticking when making Winter Melon Braised Fish is a common problem in the production process. To avoid this situation, you can heat the pot first and then add an appropriate amount of cooking oil before cooking.
During the cooking process, turn the fish and winter melon from time to time to avoid them staying at the bottom of the pot for a long time and causing sticking. It is recommended to use a non-stick pan, which can help avoid this problem.
2

REVIEWS

Your Rating:
Charles
Charles December 28, 2024

This Winter Melon Braised Fish recipe is absolutely divine. The fish is tender and succulent, while the winter melon adds a refreshing touch that complements the savory flavors perfectly. A must-try for foodies!
Ronald
Ronald December 29, 2024

Braised fish has always been a favorite of mine, but this Winter Melon variation truly takes it to the next level. The delicate sweetness of the winter melon combined with the rich fish creates a balance that is nothing short of amazing.

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