Tofu Pudding Fish (豆花鱼), originating from Sichuan cuisine, is a delectable dish that prominently features grass carp as its main ingredient, complemented by ingredients such as tofu pudding, soybeans, red chili peppers, garlic, and green onions. Known for its numbing spiciness and fresh, tender texture, this dish offers a delightful combination of flavors.
Ingredients:
- Main Ingredient: Grass carp (500g)
- Supplementary Ingredients: Tofu pudding (100g), soybeans (100g), red chili peppers (50g)
- Seasonings: Garlic (8g), green onions (5g), ginger (4g), Doubanjiang (fermented bean paste, 8g), Chinkiang vinegar (10g), cooking wine (5g), white sugar (5g), ground pepper (5g), vegetable oil (20g)
Cooking Steps:
- Clean and prepare the grass carp by scaling, gutting, and removing the head. Cut the fish into thin slices, discarding bones, head, and skin. Split the fish head open and remove the fish teeth for later use.
- Heat oil in a pot, stir-fry green onions and ginger, add cooking wine, and then introduce the fish head. Simmer the mixture over high heat to create a fish broth.
- In another pot, heat a small amount of oil. Add chili segments, Doubanjiang, and cooked garlic to stir-fry until fragrant. Pour in the fish broth, along with cooking wine, white sugar, Chinkiang vinegar, ground pepper. Bring it to a boil, filter out the residue, and add tofu pudding to cook until well-seasoned.
- Ladle out the fish slices and place them on top of the tofu pudding. Sprinkle cooked soybeans and chopped green onions in the center. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and pour it over the fish slices.
Optional: For those who enjoy an extra kick of spiciness, you can add a few dry red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns to the hot oil in the pan, stir-fry until fragrant, and sprinkle them over the fish slices along with chopped cilantro.
Tofu Pudding Fish, with its vibrant blend of spices and textures, captures the essence of Sichuan cuisine, offering a memorable dining experience for those seeking a balance of heat, freshness, and tender fish goodness.