West Lake Vinegar Fish

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) freshwater fish fillets, such as carp or tilapia 500g (1.1 lb) freshwater fish fillets, such as carp or tilapia
• 3 tablespoons black vinegar 3 tablespoons black vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 spring onions, chopped 2 spring onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the fish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut them into bite-sized pieces.
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, combine the black vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, and chili flakes. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the fish fillets and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Remove the fish from the pan and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same pan, add the chopped spring onions and stir-fry for a minute until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Return the fish to the pan and pour the vinegar sauce over it. Stir gently to coat the fish evenly with the sauce.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the fish to absorb the sauce.
7. 7.
   Season with salt to taste and garnish with fresh cilantro.
8. 8.
   Serve the West Lake Vinegar Fish hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish — Ensure the fish fillets are fresh and free from any unpleasant odor. If freshwater fish is not available, you can use other white fish varieties like cod or haddock as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, marinate the fish fillets in the vinegar sauce for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
• Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your spice preference.
• Garnish the dish with toasted sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor.
• Serve the West Lake Vinegar Fish with a side of steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop further.

Serving advice

Serve the West Lake Vinegar Fish as a main course accompanied by steamed rice. The tangy and savory flavors of the dish pair well with the simplicity of plain steamed rice.

Presentation advice

Arrange the fish fillets on a serving platter and pour the glossy sauce over them. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of color. Serve the dish family-style, allowing everyone to help themselves.