Five Flavor Fish Recipes

FIVE-SPICE FISH

Steps:

• Toss the fish in the five-spice powder and cornstarch to coat.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan or wok and stir-fry the scallions, ginger, mushrooms, and corn for 1 minute.
• Add the spiced fish and cook for 2 minutes, turning once.
• Mix together the soy sauce, sherry, and sugar, then pour over the fish.
• Simmer for 2 minutes.
• Season to taste and serve.

DEEP-FRIED FISH WITH THREE-FLAVORED SAUCE

Steps:

• Place tamarind in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water. Let stand for 10 minutes. Knead tamarind in water to soften. Pass through a small sieve, discarding solids. Measure 1/4 cup liquid; set aside.
• Add to a mortar, one at a time, the cilantro root, salt, chopped fresh chiles, garlic, and shallots, pounding each ingredient with a pestle until smooth before adding the next ingredient.
• In a small saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the cilantro paste mixture, and fry until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in palm sugar and remaining 1/4 cup water; simmer until thick. Add reserved tamarind water and 1/4 cup fish sauce, and continue to simmer until reduced and slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the fish in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons fish sauce. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Heat 4 inches oil in a large wok over medium-high heat Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. Add whole dried chiles, and fry until crisp, about 30 seconds. Drain on prepared baking sheet; set aside. Add basil leaves and fry until crisp, about 15 seconds. Drain on prepared baking sheet; set aside.
• Carefully add fish to hot oil. Fry until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, let drain. Transfer to a serving platter. Coat the fish with the reserved sauce. Crush the fried chiles over the fish, and garnish with basil leaves. Serve immediately.

FIVE FLAVOR FISH

Steps:

• Julienne carrots, and a hot pepper. add spinach. Saute them with garlic until the carrots are soft and the greens are completely wilted, stirring regularly. Add salt and continue stirring. Slice half an onion long and thin and add it to the mix just before taking it off heat.
• In a saute pan, cook a swordfish steak -- seasoned with salt pepper and healthy dose of smoked paprika and a bit of chili powder and a half lemon on each side. Let it sit on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes on each side. Once its done, deglaze the pan with a little white wine, let it reduce, and pour it over the fish and veggies.