Go Back
+ servings
Whole Braised Fish for Prosperity

Whole Braised Fish for Prosperity

Hong shao yu - a whole fish braised in a rich soy and ginger sauce, served head-to-tail as a symbol of abundance for the year ahead.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Braised, Festive, Seafood
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 298kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 whole white fish such as sea bass or snapper, about 1kg, cleaned and scored
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 thumb fresh ginger sliced, plus 1 tbsp julienned
  • 4 cloves garlic sliced
  • 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, plus extra sliced for garnish
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tbsp allulose or preferred keto sweetener
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp glucomannan powder mixed with 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  • Pat the fish very dry. Heat avocado oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Fry the fish for 3-4 minutes per side until the skin is golden, then remove and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add sliced ginger, garlic, and scallion pieces, stir-frying 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, allulose, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
  • Return the fish to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Cover and braise 12-15 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through.
  • Transfer the fish to a serving platter. Stir the glucomannan slurry into the remaining sauce and simmer 1-2 minutes until thickened, then pour over the fish.
  • Garnish with julienned ginger and sliced scallion before serving whole at the table.

Notes

Chef's Tip: Serving the fish whole, head and tail intact, is the whole point of this dish symbolically - don't portion it before bringing it to the table. Keto Swaps: a glucomannan slurry replaces cornstarch, and allulose replaces sugar, keeping the traditional glossy sauce intact.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Protein: 32g | Fat: 15g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!