Chinese Steamed Fish With Ginger Shallot Sauce

Craving an authentic Chinese seafood dish that's surprisingly simple to make at home?

Get ready to unlock the secrets of Chinese Steamed Fish with Ginger Shallot Sauce, a light, flavorful, and healthy meal that will impress your family and friends.

Skip the takeout menu tonight – you're about to become a steaming sensation!

Ingredients

Let's gather our ingredients; everything we need is essential for creating our little pillows of perfection. First, for the yeast activation, you'll want 1 tsp of active dry yeast powder, ¼ cup of warm water—not too hot, think baby bath temp—and 1 tbsp of white sugar.

Now, for the dough: ½ cup of warm water, 4 tbsp of white sugar, 2 cups of plain flour (all-purpose—that's the one!), 1 cup of cornflour, ¼ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 ½ tsp of baking powder. This combination of flours is key to achieving the soft, fluffy texture characteristic of bao. Almost there.

Next, pork filling! Grab 1 tbsp of vegetable oil, ⅓ cup of finely chopped eschalot or white onion—cause nobody likes big onion chunks. Add 1 tbsp sugar, 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce, 1 ½ tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, ½ cup water, and 1 tbsp cornflour dissolved in 1 tbsp water. Last, 1 ½ cups of Chinese Barbecue Pork!

Instructions

Several steps are ahead of us, so I'll break it down, starting with what I call the "doughy" adventure! First, you gotta activate that yeast—mix it with sugar and warm water and let it get foamy for ten minutes.

Next, in your mixer, toss together the flours and sugar before adding the yeasty mix, oil, and warm water. Mix 'til it forms a smooth, elastic ball—like magic! Let it rise for two hours—patience is key, young grasshopper! Punch it down, add the baking powder, and mix again. Now, knead it into a smooth disc.

Cut the dough into twelve pieces, roll each into a 4.5-inch circle, thinner on the edges. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons of filling into each, pinch around the edges to seal the buns—like making tiny dumplings—and then let them rest for fifteen minutes. Almost there, I promise!

Recipe Notes

Recipe Notes

Onions — if you do not have the ones they call for, don't sweat it; any type you've got will work fine. My great-grandmother used to say even scallions would do in a pinch—and she knew her steamed fish!

Want to make sure your fish is extra good? Here's the lowdown!

First off, make sure you pat your fish dry – it really helps!
Next, score the fish—it helps the steaming process.
Don't be shy with the ginger and shallots; they're key!
Also, use fresh ingredients if you can; you just can't beat that fresh flavor!
Finally—watch the steaming time; don't want to overcook it. Soggy fish is just sad!

I think you'll nail it. This is a dish I'm sure you'd like to make again. Have fun!

Recipe Notes

Want to make sure your fish is extra good? Here's the lowdown!

First off, make sure you pat your fish dry – it really helps!
Next, score the fish—it helps the steaming process.
Don't be shy with the ginger and shallots; they're key!
Also, use fresh ingredients if you can; you just can't beat that fresh flavor!
Finally—watch the steaming time; don't want to overcook it. Soggy fish is just sad!

I think you'll nail it. This is a dish I'm sure you'd like to make again. Have fun!

Recipe Notes

Want to make sure your fish is extra good? Here's the lowdown!

First off, make sure you pat your fish dry – it really helps!
Next, score the fish—it helps the steaming process.
Don't be shy with the ginger and shallots; they're key!
Also, use fresh ingredients if you can; you just can't beat that fresh flavor!
Finally—watch the steaming time; don't want to overcook it. Soggy fish is just sad! The best part about this recipe is how steaming the fish keeps it incredibly moist.

I think you'll nail it. This is a dish I'm sure you'd like to make again. Have fun!

Nutrition Information

I'm always curious about what's in my food, and you probably are too, so let's explore the nutrition facts for one of these buns. Each bun packs about 226 calories—that's 11% of your daily needs!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Only 226 calories? Sounds too good to be true!" Well, it's true, and trust me, these little guys are worth every calorie! They're super filling, and I often find one or two keeps me satisfied.

Think of it this way: you're getting a delicious, homemade treat that won't completely derail your diet – it's a win-win! Plus, you control all the ingredients, so you know exactly what you're eating. How awesome is that?!