Quick Braised Fish Fillets In Black Bean Sauce Recipes

CHINESE DEEP-FRIED FISH WITH SPICY BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the head from the fish (or have your fishmonger do this) and cut the fish into 2-inch thick steaks. Put the rice flour on a plate and season it well with salt and pepper; dredge the fish pieces in the rice flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a deep pot or a wok large enough to hold the fish, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. Carefully put in the fish and deep-fry until it is browned, crisp, and cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the fish pieces and drain them on paper towels; place them onto a platter.
• Carefully drain all but 3 tablespoons of oil from the wok. Stir-fry the scallions, ginger, garlic, and chiles for about 2 minutes. Add the black beans and fry for another minute. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water making sure to get out all the lumps. Pour this slurry into the black bean mixture (it will thicken immediately) and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish pieces, garnish with cilantro leaves, and serve.

STEAMED FISH WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• If using a whole fish, make 3 deep diagonal slashes on each side of the fish.
• Chop the black beans; place half of the black beans, scallions, and ginger on a heat-proof plate that can be used in the steamer; place the fish on top.
• Sprinkle fish with the sugar, then pour the sherry or rice wine, soy sauce and oil on top; cover the fish with remaining black beans, scallions and ginger.
• For steaming I use my electric wok and place 2 chopsticks next to each other in one direction and 2 more next to each other in the opposite direction, creating a platform.
• Place the plate of fish on top of the steamer, over briskly boiling water, cover and steam 10 minutes for thick fillets, 20 minutes for whole fish and less than 10 minutes for thinner fillets.
• fish is finished when fillets flake easily or when a chopstick will easily pierce the gill area on whole fish.
• Remove to a platter and garnish with cilantro.
• Serve over steamed jasmine rice and make sure to spoon the black bean sauce over the whole thing; YUM.

QUICK-BRAISED FISH FILLETS IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Pour about 1/8 inch of oil into a wide, deep skillet, preferably nonstick. Place over medium-high heat. Soak the beans in the wine. Mix the flour with enough water to make a paste the consistency of sour cream. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
• When the oil is hot-it will shimmer, and a pinch of flour tossed into it will sizzle-coat the fillets with the batter and brown them quickly, about 2 minutes per side.You may have to work in batches; do not crowd the fish. As you finish browning, transfer it to a plate. Turn off the heat and let the pan cool down a bit, then discard the oil and wipe out the pan.
• Put 2 tablespoons oil in the pan and turn the heat to high. A minute later, add the ginger, garlic, and scallions and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes, just until it begins to soften. Turn the heat to medium and add the tomatoes and the black beans and their liquid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, just until the tomatoes begin to break up.
• Return the fish to the pan (now it's okay to crowd) and continue to cook until it is done, about 5 minutes more (a thin-bladed knife inserted into the center will meet little resistance). Taste and add soy sauce if the dish is not salty enough; serve the fillets with the sauce over rice.

FOIL-BAKED FISH WITH BLACK BEANS AND CORN

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat to 450 degrees.
• Pat the fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Using a fork, mix together the butter, 1 teaspoon chipotle, orange zest, half the garlic, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a medium bowl until well-combined. Spread butter mixture over the fish.
• Combine the beans, corn, onion, scallions, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, orange juice, remaining 1 teaspoon chipotle, remaining garlic, green onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.
• Lay four 14-inch lengths of foil on the counter and divide the bean mixture evenly over the lower half of each piece of foil. Top with fish and fold the foil over the fish, folding the edges to seal.
• Arrange the packets in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the fish is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully open the packets and sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve.