Sweet And Sour Fish -

Sweet And Sour Fish

Ingredients

900 g (2 lb) whole fish, such as sea bass, grey mullet or carp, cleaned
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
About 2 tablespoons plain flour
1 small onion, shredded
1 small carrot, thinly shredded
1 small green pepper, cored and thinly shredded
2 tomatoes, cut into small wedges
2 tablespoons fish sauce
250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) Sweet & Sour Sauce (see Pastes and Sauces recipe)
About 115 ml (4 fl oz/ ½ cup) stock or water
1 teaspoon sesame oil(optional) Coriander sprigs, to garnish

Details

Serves: 4

Method

Score both sides of the fish at 2.5 cm (1 in) intervals. Rub the fish inside and out with salt and pepper, then leave to stand for 15-20 minutes. Heat the oil in a wok or deep-fat fryer to 180°C (350°F). Coat the fish with flour and deep-fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden. Remove and drain on absorbent kitchen paper, then place the fish on a warmed serving platter.

Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon oil from the wok, add all the shredded vegetables and tomatoes. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, then add the fish sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce and stock or water. Bring to the boil, then add the sesame oil, if using. Pour sauce over the fish, garnish with coriander and serve with rice vermicelli.

Variation:- Fish fillet or steak can be cooked in the same way.

Related food category:

• Main Course