West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy recipe

Hangzhou, as a city in China with a long history and unique culture, is renowned worldwide for its rich cuisine. One of the most famous dishes is West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy. This dish attracts numerous diners with its unique flavor and delicious sweet and sour taste.

West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy is deliciously sweet and sour, featuring tender fish meat and authentic flavors. In this article, we will explore the origins, preparation techniques, and its significant role in the lives of Hangzhou residents.

1.What is West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy?

It is a dish with a long history, and there are various legends surrounding it. One of the most famous is the story of "Madame Song's Fish." According to legend, during the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a woman named Madame Song who lived by West Lake and was renowned for her skill in cooking fish dishes. Once, Emperor Huizong of Song disguised himself and visited West Lake. He tasted Madame Song's fish dish and found it delicious. As a result, he named the dish "Madame Song's Fish," a name that has been passed down to this day.

This dish primarily uses grass carp as its main ingredient. After cooking, it is glazed with a smooth, glossy sweet and sour sauce, which not only enhances its visual appeal with a vibrant red color but also provides a tender, sweet, and sour taste that is incredibly satisfying and memorable.

West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy is not just a dish; it is also an important part of Hangzhou's culinary culture. On dining tables in Hangzhou, this dish is often considered a crucial offering used to entertain friends and relatives.

2.What ingredients are used?

West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy primarily uses grass carp as its main ingredient. Grass carp, also known as crucian carp, is one of the four most famous freshwater fish in China. It has a blunt snout and smooth back fins without hard spines, with a straight outer edge. The flesh of this fish is tender, firm, and low in bones, making it well-suited for various cooking methods.

Seasoning: The main seasoning used is a vinegar fish sauce. I primarily use a mixture of 65g of Chinese black vinegar, 65g of white sugar, 25g of light soy sauce, 15g of dark soy sauce, and 20g of cooking wine, evenly blended together.

Cornstarch: By increasing the thickness of the sauce, it allows the sauce to adhere better to the fish.

These ingredients are typically available for purchase at Asian supermarkets.

3.How to prepare grass carp?

First, clean out the fish's internal organs thoroughly. Gently squeeze the fish to expel any impurities and sediment. After cleaning, make a few shallow cuts on the fish's body, divide it into sections, and marinate with some ginger slices and salt for 10 to 15 minutes to remove any fishy odor.

4.How long to cook grass carp?

After cleaning the fish thoroughly, add ginger slices and cooking wine to boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes. Then, add the fish and cook for approximately 5 minutes before turning off the heat.

5.How to store West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy?

Store West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy in the refrigerator's coldest section, ensuring the temperature remains between 0°C to 4°C. This helps maintain the freshness of the fish and the flavors of the marinade. It's generally not suitable for long-term storage, so it's best to consume it as soon as possible after preparation.

With these tips in hand, I believe everyone can quickly make an authentic West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy. You can also adjust the seasoning quantities and experiment with additional ingredients according to your taste preferences. Let's get started and cook together!