Braised Croaker Fish with Sweet Potato Stems: A Delicious Harmony of Seasonal Ingredients
Seasonal Delicacy! Sweet Potato Stem and Croaker Fish Braised in a Savory & Spicy Sauce
I’ve created a special braised dish using fresh seasonal sweet potato stems and croaker fish from my freezer. It boasts a deep flavor and fantastic texture, perfect as a rice companion!
Main Ingredients
- 3 Frozen Croaker Fish
- 1 bowl cooked Sweet Potato Stems
- 1 cup Beer (for thawing the fish)
- 1 stalk Green Onion (white part emphasized)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Red Chili, 1 Green Chili (or adjust to your preference)
- 1.5 cups Kelp Broth (approx. 300ml)
Seasoning Mix
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or Cheongju)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang or Jin-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tbsp Anchovy Sauce (for added umami)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (Mirin or Cheongju)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang or Jin-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tbsp Anchovy Sauce (for added umami)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, place the frozen croaker fish in a bowl and pour 1 cup of beer over it. This helps remove any fishy odor and thaws the fish more gently. Let it thaw for about 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse under running water, trim the fins and tail, and carefully scrape off the scales with a knife. Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
Step 2
Cut the cooked sweet potato stems into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7cm long. Slice the green onion diagonally, focusing on the white parts. Slice the onion into thin strips. Cut the red and green chilies diagonally and remove the seeds if you prefer less heat; this adds a spicy kick and vibrant color. (Adjust the amount of chili to control the spiciness).
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the prepared sweet potato stems with 1 Tbsp perilla oil, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and 1 Tbsp soy sauce. Gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. This step seasons the stems and forms the base flavor for the braise.
Step 4
Now, prepare your braising pot. Start by laying the seasoned sweet potato stems evenly on the bottom of the pot. Place the cleaned croaker fish (3 pieces) on top of the stems. Arrange the sliced onion, green onion, and chilies over the fish. Finally, pour the 1.5 cups of kelp broth, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and sprinkle 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes evenly over the ingredients.
Step 5
Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and the ingredients are tender. During cooking, periodically spoon some of the broth over the fish and vegetables to ensure they stay moist and absorb the flavors evenly.
Step 6
When the sauce has thickened and the ingredients look glossy, stir in 1 Tbsp of anchovy sauce to adjust the seasoning. Anchovy sauce adds a wonderful depth of flavor and helps balance the taste. Taste and add a little more soy sauce if needed.
Step 7
Transfer the deliciously braised croaker fish and sweet potato stems to a serving dish. This dish is best enjoyed with a warm bowl of rice!
