Spicy and Tender Braised Croaker with Fiddleheads Recipe
Utilize Frozen Ingredients! A Delicious Side Dish, Braised Croaker with Fiddleheads
Create a delicious and unique side dish by using precious ingredients from your freezer. The fantastic combination of chewy fiddleheads and mild croaker, enhanced with a spicy sauce, is incredibly appetizing. If prepared correctly, you can enjoy it without any bitterness.
Main Ingredients
- 100g fresh fiddleheads
- 4 croaker fish
Seasoning Sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp beef-flavored bouillon powder (or MSG)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp beef-flavored bouillon powder (or MSG)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Blanch the fresh fiddleheads in boiling water for about 5 minutes. This step makes them easier to store and tenderizes them for cooking. Portion the blanched fiddleheads for freezing or proceed to the next step if using immediately.
Step 2
Thaw the frozen fiddleheads. Soak the thawed fiddleheads in cold water, changing the water every 3-4 hours, for at least two rounds. This process effectively removes the slightly bitter taste of fiddleheads, making them softer and more palatable.
Step 3
Squeeze out excess water from the thoroughly soaked fiddleheads and cut them into manageable pieces, about 4-5 cm long. This size is easy to eat and allows the sauce to penetrate well.
Step 4
Arrange the prepared fiddleheads evenly on the bottom of a braising pot. Place the 4 cleaned croaker fish neatly on top of the fiddleheads. The fiddleheads help mask any fishy odor, and the fish adds to the overall texture.
Step 5
Add water until the fish is about halfway submerged. Add all the sauce ingredients (gochugaru, rice wine, tuna extract, soy sauce, minced garlic, beef bouillon powder). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes. Cook until the sauce has reduced and the ingredients are well-infused with flavor. (Tip: You can omit the croaker if you don’t have it. If you don’t have any fish, you can still make a delicious braised dish using just gochugaru, tuna extract, and soy sauce.)
Step 6
Transfer the well-braised croaker with fiddleheads to a serving dish. This dish pairs wonderfully with a bowl of hot steamed rice.
