「Steamed Mandarin Fish」

Ingredients and amounts

• 500g mandarin fish
• 1 section leek (大葱)
• 2 scallions
• 30g light soy sauce
• 1 red chili pepper
• 3 slices ginger
• 20ml cooking oil

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Cut the mandarin fish open from the belly, remove the gills and innards, scale the fish, and scrape off the slime from the skin with a knife (or ask the fishmonger to do this).

2. 2

   Step 2

   Score the fish on both sides. Place ginger slices on the fish. Optionally add some lard. Place the fish on chopsticks on the plate for even heat distribution during steaming.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Split the leek open, remove the core, and keep only the outer two layers.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Split the scallions open and set aside.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Remove the seeds and inner flesh of the red chili pepper and set aside.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Stack the prepared leek, scallions, and chili pepper together, cut into shreds, and soak in water.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Fill a pot with plenty of water. When the water is hot, place the fish in the steamer, cover, and steam over high heat for 8-10 minutes. Key tip for steaming fish: high heat and plenty of steam.

8. 8

   Step 8

   While the fish is steaming, heat oil in another pan until it smokes.

9. 9

   Step 9

   After steaming, discard the water from the plate, remove the ginger slices, place the shredded leek, scallions, and chili on the fish, and pour the hot oil over them.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Drizzle light soy sauce or steamed fish soy sauce over the fish and serve.