Savory Grilled Eel (Eel Salt Grill)
Perfectly Grilled Salted Eel: Secrets to a Delectable Flavor and Homemade Sauce
Discover the ultimate way to enjoy eel, a renowned dish for boosting vitality! This recipe guides you through making incredibly delicious grilled salted eel at home, complete with a secret sauce that elevates its rich flavor.
Eel Sauce Ingredients- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 apple (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 banana (thinly sliced)
- 5 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 10 whole peppercorns
- 4 dried red chilies (or chili peppers)
- 1 tbsp date syrup (or jujube paste)
- 1 tbsp mirin (or cooking sake)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the ingredients for the eel sauce. In a pot, add the thinly sliced apple and banana. Also include the sliced garlic, dried red chilies (or chili peppers), and whole peppercorns. The fruits help to remove any fishy odor from the eel and contribute to a tender texture.
Step 2
Add the soy sauce, mirin (or cooking sake), and date syrup to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together to combine.
Step 3
Place the pot over low heat and simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to infuse into the soy sauce base as it reduces. This process will create a delicious eel sauce.
Step 4
Once the eel sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. When the sauce has cooled down a bit, strain it through a sieve to remove the solid ingredients, reserving the smooth sauce for later use.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to prepare the eel. Never wash the eel under running water! Doing so can impart a fishy smell or make the flesh mushy, compromising its texture. Instead, use a kitchen towel to gently pat away any excess moisture from the surface of the eel.
Step 6
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat. Place the eel skin-side down first and grill until golden brown and slightly crispy on both sides. Starting with the skin helps achieve a delightful crispiness.
Step 7
Once the eel is almost cooked through, cut it into your desired serving sizes. Stand the cut pieces on their sides and grill for an additional moment to lightly crisp up the cut edges.
Step 8
When the eel is nearly done, brush the prepared eel sauce evenly over the flesh side (the side you’re grilling). Be cautious not to apply the sauce too early, as it can burn easily. Applying it towards the end and grilling briefly will result in a glossy and flavorful grilled eel.
Step 9
For an even easier and delicious result, you can use an air fryer for your salted grilled eel. Place the eel in the air fryer and cook at 200°C (392°F) for about 15 minutes. Flipping it halfway through will ensure even cooking.
