Easiest Way to Cook Delicious Cantonese Steamed Fish

Cantonese Steamed Fish. Cantonese steamed fish is a traditional, simple dish often served as one of the final courses in a Chinese wedding banquet (right before the last rice and noodle course). That said, it's also a dish that can be found on home dinner tables on any old weeknight. That's how you know it's not just easy…it's really delicious.

Today I'm honored to introduce my favorite new book called Lemongrass & Ginger Cookbook: Vibrant Asian Recipes. Cantonese steamed fish is often served as one of the courses in a Chinese banquet, but it's also an easy meal to make on any weeknight at home with just a few ingredients. Flavors of ginger, cilantro and green onion make this light and easy Cantonese steamed fish a standout dish for a quick weeknight dinner, or the perfect side for a full Chinese meal. You can cook Cantonese Steamed Fish using 10 ingredients and 6 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Cantonese Steamed Fish

1. It's of white meat fish, more or less 400 gr (I used trout fish).
2. Prepare of garlic, minced.
3. It's of ginger, thinly sliced into toothpicks size.
4. You need of green onions, thinly sliced.
5. It's of seafood soy sauce (I used Lee Kim Kee Seasoned Soy Sauce for Seafood).
6. You need of water.
7. You need of salt (if you like it a bit salty - I didn’t use any).
8. Prepare of white pepper powder or to taste.
9. Prepare of sesame oil.
10. Prepare of red chili peppers for garnish.

A classic and popular dish, this Cantonese style steamed fish is a fast and tasty way to prepare any type of white fleshed whole fish or fillet. It is a must-have dish for many families during the Chinese New Year as fish (余, yu) signifies abundance and affluence in Chinese culture. Then pour the sauce mixture (soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and water) to the pan, mix well, and bring to a boil. The sauce should be done once it reaches a boiling point.

Cantonese Steamed Fish step by step

1. Wash and pat dry the fish with paper towel. Place the fish on top of a heat resistant plate..
2. Arrange garlic on top of the fish. Add soy sauce, water, salt (if you use some), and white pepper powder..
3. Heat water in a pot until boiling. Place the fish in the pot and cover it with the lid. Steam fish for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat..
4. Place green onions, ginger, and red chili peppers on top of the fish..
5. Heat sesame oil in a small pan until it’s very hot. Pour the oil on top of the fish..
6. Serve immediately over steamed white rice! Yum! 😋.

A steamed whole fish with Ginger, Scallion, Soy and cilantro is a big favorite on any Chinese table, and it's almost always served at holiday meals and special occasions. This is definitely true for Cantonese families at formal wedding and Chinese New Year banquets, but also for family gatherings at home. I love Chinese-style steamed fish-fresh-from-the-tank live fish steamed with soy sauce and topped with shredded ginger, scallions, and cilantro leaves. To me, nothing tastes as satisfying as steamed fish with white rice, drizzled with the soy sauce from the steamed fish. Sometimes, I can just eat bowls and bowls of white rice with the soy sauce.