Spicy Tangy Fish with Pickled Greens
Have you ever craved a dish that’s a whirlwind of flavors—tangy, spicy, and deeply savory all at once? If so, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite meal. This incredible poached fish dish, with its signature golden broth and tender, silky fish fillets, is a true masterpiece of flavors and textures. It might look and sound like something you could only order at a high-end restaurant, but I’m here to tell you a secret: you can absolutely make this showstopper at home. In just about an hour, you can transform a handful of ingredients into a complex, satisfying, and utterly addictive meal. The preparation is straightforward, focusing on building layers of flavor that come together in a spectacular finish. Get ready to impress your friends, your family, and most importantly, yourself! Before you start, let’s gather our ingredients. The key to this dish is balancing the sour, spicy, and savory notes, so getting the right components is important. But don’t worry, many of these have easy-to-find substitutes. For the Fish and Marinade: 1.5 lbs (about 700g) firm white fish fillets, such as cod, halibut, or tilapia (catfish also works beautifully) 1 egg white 1 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry) 1 tbsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp white pepper 1 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) For the Broth and Assembly: 1 cup Sichuan pickled mustard greens (Suan Cai). This is the star ingredient, found in vacuum packs at most Asian markets. Its unique tangy flavor is hard to replicate, but in a pinch, you could try well-rinsed sauerkraut, though the taste will be different. The head and bones from your fish (optional, but adds incredible depth to the broth) 3 cloves garlic, minced, divided 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced 2-3 pickled red chilies,…
