The BEST Braised Fish Recipe for a PROSPEROUS Chinese New Year!

Are you tired of your bracelet fish turning out less than perfect? Don't worry, I have got you covered. I'll guide you through some common mistakes to avoid. All you need is 25 minutes and you will be sure to impress all your friends and family this Chinese New Year. We are using a whole white bass today. You can also use other types of whole fish. The head and tail symbolize the abundance from the beginning to the end of the new year. If you'd like to have more, good luck! Make sure to get a whole fish. Begin by using paper towels to wipe dry the fish. Avoid not drying out the liquid, otherwise the fish could turn out very fishy. Make 5 cuts into each side of the fish without cutting off the flesh. It allows the flavors to go in faster and speeds up the cooking process. Next, in a bowl, we are going to place the fish inside. Then add the ginger, scallions, rice wine, and salt. Mix everything together. Marinate for 5 minutes. It helps remove the fishy taste, so don't skip this step. After the marination, remove the ginger and scallions. Lightly dust the fish with a thin layer of cornstarch. You could also replace it with other types of starch. Without this step, your fish could easily break apart during the cooking process. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Zhenjiang vinegar, sugar, and white pepper. Whisk. In a wok over medium heat, add the oil. Carefully place the fish inside, and pan-fry until golden brown on both sides for about 3 minutes. The crispy texture helps to set the shape of the fish, so it won't break apart easily during braising. Remove. In the wok, with about 1 tablespoon of oil, add the ginger, garlic, scallions, and pixian bean paste. Stir-fry them until aromatic. This step is crucial for building up layers of flavors. Now pour the sauce and water into the wok. Gently return the fish to the wok, and cover with a lid. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, allowing the fish to cook completely and soak up the savory sauce. Fish symbolizes abundance and unity. That's why my family always eat fish during Chinese New Year. So comment below and share with me what is one dish you always eat during Chinese New Year. Finally, uncover the lid and increase the heat to high. Reduce the sauce for about 1 minute to a perfect consistency. Garnish with red finger hot pepper and scallions. Bye!