Velvetedfish Recipes

VELVET FISH WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Pour the egg white into a medium-size bowl, then add to it 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon rice wine and salt, and whisk until all the cornstarch has dissolved. Use a chef's knife held at a 45-degree angle to the cutting surface to slice the fish fillets crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Add the fish to the cornstarch mixture, then carefully toss it to coat the fish, and set aside to marinate for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Place the mushrooms in a small bowl, then pour hot water over them and allow them to soak for 20 minutes or so, until they are very soft. Remove the mushrooms from the water and dry them, then thinly slice each mushroom. (Reserve the mushroom-soaking liquid.)
• Make the sauce. Combine the oyster sauce, the remaining tablespoon of rice wine, soy sauces, vinegars and sugar in a bowl, then whisk to combine. Sprinkle in the remaining tablespoon cornstarch, and whisk to dissolve it into the sauce. Add a tablespoon of the mushroom-soaking liquid or water, and set aside.
• Velvet the fish. Fill a wok or large pot with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add a teaspoon of oil to the boiling water. Carefully add the fish to the water, piece by piece, working in batches so as not to crowd the pieces. Allow the fish to cook until it has turned opaque, approximately 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Using a skimmer or spider, transfer the fish carefully to a platter to rest.
• To finish the dish, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a wok or large skillet set over high heat. When the oil shimmers and is about to smoke, add the scallions, garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until the mixture is fragrant. Add the mushrooms, and continue to stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds. Stir the sauce mixture, and add it to the wok, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until it has thickened slightly. If it is too thick, thin it out with some of the mushroom-soaking liquid. Add the fish to the wok, and carefully toss until the flesh is coated. Transfer the mixture to a warm platter, and serve immediately.

EASY BAKED FISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Line 8x10" dish with foil.
• Place fish in pan, sprinkle with seasonings.
• Use a pastry brush to sparingly coat tops and sides of fillets with mayonnaise.
• top with generous sprinkling of paprika.
• Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, until fish flakes when touched with fork.
• Serves 4.
• Note: No need to turn while baking.
• any amount may be prepared by adjusting size of pan.

VELVETED FISH

Steps:

• Mix together marinade, and mix together cornstarch paste.
• Cut the fish into 1/2-inch slices and put in a bowl with marinade; mix well and set aside.
• Drain and squeeze the mushrooms; remove the stems and slice the caps.
• Cut the red and green peppers into 3/4-inch strips, and then diagonally into lozenge shapes.
• Cut the scallion greens into bite-sized pieces.
• Heat the wok over high heat, then add some peanut oil. When hot, add the fish and stir with chopsticks to separate the slices; when they are white but not fully cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Drain off all but three tablespoons of the oil, and return the wok to the stove top over high heat; add the garlic, ginger, mushrooms and peppers and stir-fry until fragrant; add the fish and season with soy sauce, vinegar and salt to taste; add the stock, and then the cornstarch paste, stirring as it thickens the liquid to a glaze.
• Stir in the scallion greens and then, off the heat, the sesame oil. Serve.

VELVET STEAK WITH KOREAN CHILI BUTTER

Steps:

• Whisk egg whites, cornstarch, rice wine, and soy sauce for marinade together in a bowl until very smooth and foamy.
• Trim silver skin from sirloin steaks. Place steaks between 2 pieces of plastic wrap on a cutting board and pound to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Transfer steaks to a rimmed plate and lightly sprinkle both sides with kosher salt.
• Pour marinade over top and flip a few times to make sure steaks are well coated on both sides. Cover with plastic wrap, or transfer steaks and marinade to a zip-top bag, and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours, flipping once or twice while marinating.
• Mix butter, chili paste, salt, and green onions for chili butter together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust if needed. Set aside at either room temperature or in the refrigerator until needed.
• Remove steaks from the refrigerator and toss a few more times in the marinade.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add steak and pan-fry until meat springs back to the touch and is medium-rare, 3 to 4 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 130 degrees F (54 degrees C).
• Remove from heat and place steaks on warm plates. Let rest for 3 to 4 minutes. Top with chili butter and green onions.