Spicy and Numbing ‘Mala Fish’ Recipe
An Exotic Mala Dish with Seasonal Fish: ‘Mala Fish (魚)’
An unparalleled taste sensation! Introducing a simple ‘Mala Fish’ recipe that perfectly blends the addictive spicy and numbing flavors of mala sauce with fresh seasonal fish. It’s like a fusion of Mala Xiang Guo and Kao Yu, and a wonderfully easy way to use up ingredients in your fridge!
Ingredients
- Fresh seasonal fish (e.g., mackerel) 200g
- Firm tofu 1/2 block
- Enoki mushrooms 1 pack
- Bok choy 2 heads
- Cabbage 1/4 head
- Garlic cloves 7
- Cooking oil, generously
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all ingredients.
Step 2
Prepare the seasonal fish by scaling and gutting it, then rinsing thoroughly. Cut it into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Trim the base of the enoki mushrooms and rinse them lightly under running water. Separate the leaves of the bok choy and wash them well. Remove the core from the cabbage and cut it into large pieces.
Tip. Using a variety of vegetables from your refrigerator will make this dish even richer and more flavorful. Feel free to add bell peppers, broccoli, bean sprouts, or any other vegetables you enjoy.
Step 3
Gently mash the tofu using the side of a knife or a fork until it’s broken down but still has some texture. Avoid mashing it into a completely smooth paste.
Step 4
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Add the prepared fish pieces and whole garlic cloves, and pan-fry until golden brown and slightly crispy. Make sure to space out the fish pieces so they don’t stick together. Once browned, carefully remove the fish from the pan and set aside.
Tip. Frying the fish separately before adding the vegetables helps to prevent the fish from breaking apart during the stir-frying process.
Step 5
In the same pan used for the fish, add the mashed tofu, chopped cabbage, enoki mushrooms, and bok choy. Pour in the mala xiang guo sauce. Adjust the amount of sauce according to your spice preference. Add more for a spicier kick or less for a milder flavor.
Step 6
Stir-fry the vegetables and tofu over medium heat until the vegetables are tender and wilted. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of vegetables, so start with a slightly higher heat and then adjust as needed.
Step 7
Add the reserved fried fish and garlic back into the pan with the stir-fried vegetables and tofu. Gently toss everything together to combine and allow the sauce to coat all the ingredients. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the flavors meld.
Step 8
Transfer the finished Mala Fish to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor and aroma. Enjoy this uniquely spicy and numbing Mala Fish dish!
