Caramelized Black Pepper Fish From Vietnam Recipes

VIETNAMESE FISH SIMMERED IN CARAMEL SAUCE (CA KHO TO)

Steps:

• In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, cook the sugar over low to medium heat, swirling the pan constantly, until brown and caramelized.
• Remove pan from heat and stir the fish sauce into the caramel.
• It will smoke slightly.
• Return the pan to low heat and gently boil for about couple minutes while stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Stir in the shallots, chili and ginger.
• Add the fish in the caramel sauce and sprinkle with black pepper.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.
• Simmer for 30-45 minutes, turning the fish occasionally and carefully.
• Serve with rice.

CA KHO TO (VIETNAMESE CARAMELIZED FISH)

Steps:

• Place the oil and sugar in a 1-quart clay pot or dutch oven and heat over moderate heat.
• When the mixture begins to turn light yellow, add the garlic and stir until it turns dark golden (but not black), about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the water and fish sauce and bring to a boil.
• Add the catfish and turn the pieces so they are evenly coated. Simmer until the fish is done and the sauce is thickened, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the clay pot from the heat and garnish with scallions, cilantro, and black pepper. Serve immediately from the clay pot.

QUICK VIETNAMESE FISH IN CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine soy sauce, brown sugar and fish sauce, set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoons oil in skillet over high heat. When hot, cook fish skin side down 2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Turn and cook one minute, then remove from skillet.
• Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil. Add onion, cook 2 minutes or until wilted and just beginning to brown. Add garlic, cook one minute. Add soy sauce mixture, stir well. Return fish to skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, or until sauce is dark and syrupy. Top with lime juice and black pepper.
• Serve with steamed rice and vegetables (sauteed greens are good here!).

CARAMELIZED BLACK-PEPPER FISH

Steps:

• Heat oil (in a skillet large enough to hold the fish) over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften (lower the heat if they start to brown) Transfer them to a small bowl and set aside.
• Add sugar, fish sauce, and water to the skillet. Over medium heat, cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, until it starts to turn brown and there are large bubbles throughout. Sprinkle in the pepper and the cooked shallots and cook for a minute more. Add the fish and cook, turning gently with a spatula every three minutes or so, until it is coated evenly with thickened caramel sauce, and just cooked through, 8-10 minutes. (you can add a few tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the pan seems too dry).
• Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro. Serve with steamed rice and a simple green vegetable.