My Mother's Steamed Fish With Soy & Ginger
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600-700g white fish like barramundi, gutted and cleaned
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50g/1.7 ozs pork strips
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2-3 large dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in boiling water for 20 minutes and then drained
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3 slices of fresh ginger
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3 sticks of green spring onion
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1 sprig of coriander, leaves only
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2 tablespoons peanut oil plus extra for greasing plate
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Boiled white rice to serve
Marinade and sauce:
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1/3 cup water
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1 tablespoon sugar
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1 tablespoon heated and then cooled peanut oil
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1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce
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Dash of ground white pepper
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
Buyer's note: my mother loves these dried hu?g? ?? "flower" shiitake mushrooms as opposed to the uniformly dark ones. They are more expensive but the flavour is really good and the aroma more delicate.
Step 1 - Slice the shiitake mushrooms and julienne the ginger until they are thin matchsticks.
Step 2 - In a bowl, mix all marinade ingredients together. Place the pork, mushrooms and ginger in the marinade and let sit for about 15-30 minutes.
Step 3 - Prepare the steamer or large frypan or wok and fill with hot water and place a trivet in it. Have a large heatproof plate that fits the steamer ready. My mother recommends a 600 gram fish because if it is larger, then it's hard to find a steamer big enough. Lightly grease the bottom of the heatproof plate and place a few slices of marinated mushroom on the bottom-this is to prevent the fish from sticking to the bottom. Place the fish on top and scatter the marinated pork, mushrooms and sauce above it and below making sure to brush the fish with the sauce.
Step 4 - Steam for twelve minutes over rapidly simmering water. Meanwhile, heat the two tablespoons of oil and shred the green onions.
Step 5 - Remove fish from heat carefully and gently lift into the serving plate-I find this easiest done with two egg flips, one in each hand cradling the fish at both ends. Be sure to transfer the sauce too as this is where a lot of the flavour lies.
Step 6 - Scatter the fish on top with the green onions and coriander leaves. Then carefully pour the hot oil over the top and serve with boiled white rice. When you eat it, be sure to scoop up some of the sauce as the fish is not seasoned or marinated and can taste bland otherwise.