Gong Xi Fa Tsai - Steamed Cream Dory Fillet

What better way to herald the Year of the Ox than by serving up some Chinese Food!! This simple steamed recipe was inspired by a tv show i saw once about New YOrk's master Chefs. From a restaurant called Auntie Yuan, the twist really is the use of bell peppers, unlike typical steamed fish which is just leeks and ginger.

2 pcs Cream Dory fillets
1 medium bell pepper sliced lengthwise
2 stalks Onion Leeks cut into 3-4 inch stalks
1/2 cup ginger finely sliced slivers
1 tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp fine chopped garlic
Sesame Oil to flavor

Fry garlic in a small amount of oil. Hot oil cold garlic then turn the flame down to low. As the garlic slowly turns a deeper color, remove from the pan and transfer to a ceramic dish. The garlic will continue cooking and become a nice crisp light brown emulsion without the bitter garlic taste

Put water to boil for the steamer. I have a round steamer, not the commercial kind so prep the fish to fit in a plate. In my case, split it in half.

Let the fish lay flat on the plate and layer the vegetables.

First the peppers, then the ginger, then the leeks.

Drizzle with soy sauce then place into the steamer.

Turn up the heat in the steamer and let it cook for 12 mins. Try not to look at it, whenenever you open the steamer, it immediately brings the temperature down too low.

Check for done-ness, a butter knife should go right through the fish without resistance. Drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil and a scant tsp of your crispy garlic to give it an aroma and serve at once.

We had a nice and lively white from portugal with this one.

You Should Open a Restaurant

How many times have you heard this?

You probably even actually entertained the thought of having one of your own, your dream restaurant serving only grilled food that you are just sooo good at; or maybe that chinese noodle house just like North Park only done the way you like it; perhaps even one with all the tasty goodies you grew up with - that special adobo, or that fantastic callos, or maybe even just the way you make scrambled eggs.

But let's face it. That is NOT going to happen.

You are destined to forever share that recipe with just your closest friends when you get together for a drink, or with family at your next reunion. It will forever be lost in the mists of the memories of some family recipe cookbook you always wanted to keep, and who knows, that could be the last time anyone would ever taste it again.

I created this so you can share what you cook at home that is truly truly something to share. Something as simple as the seasoning for the tapa that yaya made, or the barbecue you had. Share technique, stories, recipes, flavors, places, just one condition - make it food. . . good food.