kabocha

Cá Hấp Hành Gừng | Steamed Fish with Ginger & Scallion



This recipe was made in partnership with

CCHP delivers high-quality, affordable healthcare through culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services to the community since 1986.

Cá Hấp Hành Gừng | Steamed Fish with Ginger & Scallion Recipe
Yield 4
Author Chef Tu David Phu
Prep time
30 Min
Cook time
10 Min
Total time
40 Min

Cá Hấp Hành Gừng | Steamed Fish with Ginger & Scallion Recipe

Similar to cooking eggs, the mastery of a cook can be measured on how they cook fish. Why? Fish is incredibly delicate. It requires precision cooking; high cooking temperatures with short cook times; low cooking temperatures with extended cook times. But no need to worry. If you formulate the process and follow the procedure, you'll nail it every time. And this recipe is exactly that. FAIL-PROOF.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place the fish filets into a shallow, wide bowl.
  2. Season the fish filets with salt, pepper, and sesame oil on the flesh side.
  3. Garnish the fish filets with the sliced ginger matchsticks on the flesh side.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine water, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and rice vinegar - honey is optional.
  5. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the fish.
  6. Bring the steamer/pot to a full boil.
  7. Place the fish into the steamer, skin side down - If you don't have a steamer, you can assemble a makeshift steamer that will work just as well. Use a large, wide and deep pan with a tight-fitting lid. Crumple a piece of foil into a coil. Then place it in the bottom of the pan. Fill the pan with 2-3 inches of water with a stalk of bruised lemongrass to perfume the steaming water.
  8. Steam the fish for 10 minutes. Or until the fish is flakey, a sign that the fish is cooked through.
  9. Remove the fish from the steamer, and make sure to protect your hands with a towel.
  10. Garnish the fish with sliced scallions, sliced carrots, and sliced red bell peppers.
  11. Heat a small saucepan with cooking oil over medium heat until it reaches 450 F. Or when small bubbles form when a wooden spoon is placed in the oil.
  12. Garnish the dish with hot oil.
  13. Serve with rice.
  14. Eat immediately.

Notes

Fish Health Benefits

Fish offer tons of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2. Additionally, fish is a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. And should be consumed at least once a week. 


The Myth of Frozen Asian Seafood

“Many believe that seafood loses much of its nutritional benefits when frozen. However, consumers should know that there are environmental impacts that stem from the “fresh is better” perspective. However, properly preserved frozen seafood is just as equal if not better to the quality, taste, and nutrients of fresh seafood. Additionally, a fish flown from coast to coast in the U.S. has a higher carbon footprint than frozen seafood items transported via container ships from Asia.”

-Corey Peet, Co-Founder of Postelsia


Frozen Seafood is Accessible

The technology used to freeze wild-caught seafood is better than ever. It maintains fish freshness, eliminating the need to expedite fresh fish to beat spoilage. Often, fish are shipped via flight, which translates into higher energy and fuel consumption, ultimately driving up the costs of seafood in our markets. However, when fish is flashed frozen, its freshness is retained and sent via container ships. The low energy costs of such shipping methods are dollars saved for your pocket. 

How to Thaw Seafood.

  1. Take the frozen fish packet and place it on a tray in the refrigerator. 
  2. Allow the fish to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. 
  3. It should take 6-8 hours to fully thaw. 
  4. Remove fish from the package. 

Note: DO NOT thaw by leaving out at room temperature. Or put under running water. It will destroy the quality of the fish. 



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Canh Củ Cải Trắng | Braised Daikon with Pork Ribs



This recipe was made in partnership with

CCHP delivers high-quality, affordable healthcare through culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services to the community since 1986.

Canh Củ Cải Trắng | Braised Daikon with Pork Ribs
Yield 4
Author Chef Tu David Phu
Prep time
15 Min
Cook time
35 Min
Total time
50 Min

Canh Củ Cải Trắng | Braised Daikon with Pork Ribs

Daikon is loaded with vitamin C, and amylase, a digestive enzyme. When daikon is paired with meat or fish, glutamic acid (an umami compound) in the daikon and Inosinic (the umami compound in the meat or fish) create an eruptive umami eating experience.

Ingredients

Instructions

Marinate the Pork Ribs
  1. Rince the pork ribs under running water, until the water runs clear.
  2. Drain the pork ribs in a colander to remove any excess water.
  3. Once the pork ribs a dry, place the pork ribs in a medium size mixing bowl.
  4. Season the pork ribs with 1 tbsp of fish sauce,⅛ tsp of ground black pepper, ¼ cup of minced shallot.
  5. Marinate the pork for 5 minutes.
  6. Set aside.
Make the Soup
  1. Preheat a medium-sized, thick bottom pot on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add 1 tbsp. vegetable oil in the pot.
  3. Once the oil starts to shimmer, gradually add the marinated pork ribs.
  4. Sear the pork ribs for 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat. Or until the pork ribs are brown on both sides.
  5. Then add the 4 cups of chicken stock.
  6. Bring the pot to a simmer.
  7. Add the dried shrimp and scallion segments to the soup.
  8. Add the veggies (carrots, daikon, and cauliflower)
  9. Season the soup with ½ tsp of Kosher salt.
  10. Bring the pot back to a simmer.
  11. Skim all the impurities that surface with a ladle.
  12. Simmer the pot for 15 minutes.
  13. Serve immediately.

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Canh Bí Đỏ (Kabocha Squash Soup)



This recipe was made in partnership with

CCHP delivers high-quality, affordable healthcare through culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services to the community since 1986.

Canh Bí Đỏ (Kabocha Squash Soup)
Yield 4
Author Chef Tu David Phu
Prep time
15 Min
Cook time
1 Hour
Total time
1 H & 15 M

Canh Bí Đỏ (Kabocha Squash Soup)

This unassuming gem is the staple favorite in Thai Curries and Vegetable tempuras. Kabocha lovers are enamored by its sweet, earthy flesh; reminiscent of chestnuts. However, often described as ‘the birth child of a pumpkin and a sweet potato.’ And like their cousins, can be applied to a myriad of recipes and cooking techniques. But it is Canh Bí Đỏ (Kabocha Squash Soup) that my mother makes that is my favorite.

Ingredients

Soup
Pork Meatballs
Garnish

Instructions

Pork Meatballs
  1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add 1 lb. of ground pork.
  2. Then add 3 tbsp. of sliced green onions, 1 tbsp. of minced garlic, ½ sp. of Kosher salt, ½ tsp. of oyster sauce, ¼ tsp. of toasted sesame oil, and ¼ tsp. of ground black pepper.
  3. Mix the meat mixture until all the ingredients are incorporated.
  4. Continue to mix the mixture, until the meat mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. [5 minutes]
  5. Allow the mixture to marinate in the refrigerator. [15 minutes]
Make the Soup
  1. Preheat a large pot, thick bottom pot on high heat for 3 minutes.
  2. Add 2 tbsp. of cooking oil.
  3. Once the oil shimmers, add the kabocha squash chunks.
  4. Sauteed the squash for 1 minute on medium heat.
  5. Then add 2 quarts of chicken stock and 1 cup of sliced shiitakes.
  6. Bring the pot back up to a gentle simmer. Then turn the heat down to low.
Form the Meatballs (Quenelles)
  1. Dip two identical spoons into hot water - this helps to ‘release’ the quenelle from the spoon.
  2. Shake off the excess water and take a generous scoop of the meat mixture onto a spoon.
  3. Pass the mixture repeatedly between the spoons; turning and smoothing each side until a football-shaped meatball is formed.
  4. Gently dislodge the 'quenelle' into a gentle simmering broth.
  5. Cook until the quenelle floats. (30 minutes)
  6. Continue to allow the soup to gently simmer until the kabocha squash is fork-tender. (another 30 minutes)
Assemble
  1. Ladle the kabocha soup into a soup bowl
  2. Garnish with sliced green onions and picked cilantro leaves.

Notes

What is a quenelle? 

A quenelle is a cooking technique that uses two spoons to create a three-sided oval. In doing so, one can create meatballs without having to dirty their hands.


Note: this is a textbook technique found in French cooking basics courses. However, I was first introduced to this technique by my mother; as a way to keep my hands clean.


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