Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions

Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions: 

Steamed fish with ginger and scallions is a classic Chinese dish, often served at family meals and even as a main course at elegant wedding banquets.  It is light, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to prepare at home.

This recipe uses an Instant Pot to make steaming the fish quick and convenient.  You can use whole fish, such as snapper, sea bass, or tilapia, or substitute frozen fish fillets if preferred.  Fresh ginger, scallions, onion, soy sauce, and oyster sauce come together to create a fragrant and savory topping that complements the delicate flavor of the fish.

Ingredients:

Ingredients For the Fish:

1 whole snapper, sea bass, or tilapia

1 small piece of fresh ginger, peeled and shredded

1 onion, peeled, washed, drained, and chopped

3 scallion heads

Scallion stalks, chopped

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp seasoning powder

A pinch of black pepper

Ingredients For the Sauce:

1 tsp minced garlic

1 chili pepper, finely chopped

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

1. Preparing and Marinating the Fish:

Clean and rinse the fish thoroughly, then drain well. Make a few shallow cuts on both sides of the fish to help the seasoning penetrate.

Season the fish with salt, seasoning powder, and black pepper.  Rub the seasoning evenly over the fish, including inside the cavity if using a whole fish. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.

 

2. Arranging the Fish:

Place the scallion heads evenly on the bottom of a heatproof dish or steaming tray.  Place the marinated fish on top.

Scatter the chopped onion and scallion stalks over the fish, then top with the shredded ginger.

3. Steaming the Fish:

Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and place the steaming rack inside. Carefully place the dish with fish on the rack.

Secure the lid and select the Steam function. Steam the fish for about 2 minutes, then allow it to rest in the pot for another 5 minutes before carefully removing it.

Cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fish.  The fish is ready when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

4. Preparing the Sauce:

While the fish is steaming, heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.  Add chopped chili pepper, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.  Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.  Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

5. Finishing and Serving:

Carefully remove the steamed fish from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a serving plate.

Pour the hot sauce evenly over the fish.  Garnish with additional chopped scallions and shredded ginger, if desired.

Serve immediately with steamed white rice.

Tip: For the best flavor, use fresh fish whenever possible.   If using frozen fillets, thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning and steaming.