This easy and delicious steamed whole fish recipe is one of our family's favorite fish recipes you do not want to miss. It's clean-tasting and very aromatic.
Pat the fish dry with an absorbent paper towel on both sides and place the fish on a plate. The plate should be able to fit into your steamer
Combine seasonings:
Stir all ingredients for seasonings in a small bowl. The sugar won't dissolve completely, don't worry about it
Prepare the steamer:
I use a wok that can fit in a plate with fish on it. Place a metal steaming rack on the wok, fill up with some water, ideally, the water level shouldn't touch the plate. Bring the water to a boil. If you don't have a steaming rack, use a bowl, but not too tall that you can't close the lid or too small that the plate won't balance
Steam the fish:
Finely chop the black beans into little pieces. Put the black beans, garlic, on top of the fish
Cover the lid and steam fish for about 12 minutes over high heat
Uncover the lid and pour in the seasonings and add chopped red chili (if using) let it steam for 1 more minute. Check the fish for doneness. If you pick the meat with a fork or chopstick, the flesh should flake, that means the fish is done. If it doesn't, steam just a bit longer and check again
Then scattered the green onion on top. Turn off heat and cover with a lid again and let the residual heat soften the green onion on top, about another minute. Remove from the heat and garnish with some fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately