Summer Health Booster: Delicious and Refreshing Croaker Fish Stew
How to Make Croaker Fish Stew: The Ultimate Summer Energy Booster!
Here’s how to make a refreshing and deeply flavorful croaker fish stew, a star dish for summer vitality! This delicious stew, packed with fresh croaker fish and assorted vegetables, is perfect for powering through the hottest days of summer. It’s so satisfying, you’ll feel re-energized in no time!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 fresh croaker fish (approx. 500g)
- 1/5 daikon radish (approx. 200g after preparation)
- 2 handfuls bean sprouts (approx. 100g)
- 1 handful crown daisy (approx. 30g)
- 1 handful green onions (approx. 50g)
- 1 pack enoki mushrooms
- 1/2 block firm tofu
- 2 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang)
Seasoning & Others- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Salt or soup soy sauce (for seasoning)
- Plenty of water (approx. 1.5L)
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Salt or soup soy sauce (for seasoning)
- Plenty of water (approx. 1.5L)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The key to this delicious dish is using the freshest croaker fish you can find. The fish I had today was quite large, so I’m using half for a pan-fried dish (min-eo jeon) and the other half for this vibrant stew. The freshness of the fish truly makes a difference in the final taste.
Step 2
Thoroughly scraping off the scales is a crucial step. Use the back of a kitchen knife or a spoon to firmly scrape from the head towards the tail. Removing all the scales will ensure a smoother texture in your stew.
Step 3
Make a cut near the gills and carefully open the belly. The swim bladder of the croaker fish is a highly prized delicacy, offering a wonderfully chewy texture and rich flavor. Don’t discard it – clean it well and add it to the stew for an extra treat!
Step 4
Carefully remove the large bones and any small bones from the fish. Then, rinse the fish fillet under cold running water. Cut the fish into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm). Be gentle to prevent the delicate fish meat from breaking apart.
Step 5
To remove any residual fishiness and firm up the flesh, soak the prepared croaker fish in cold water for about 10 minutes. This step contributes to the clean and pure flavor of the final stew.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables and other ingredients for the stew. Slice the daikon radish thinly, rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly, and cut the crown daisy and green onions into manageable lengths. Trim the base of the enoki mushrooms and separate the strands. Cut the tofu into generous cubes. Thinly slice the Korean chili peppers for a pleasant kick.
Step 7
In a pot, add plenty of water (about 1.5 liters) and bring it to a boil with the bean sprouts and daikon radish. Simmer until the radish becomes translucent and the bean sprouts are cooked through. This will create a refreshingly clear broth.
Step 8
Once the broth is boiling, add the prepared croaker fish pieces and minced garlic. Cook until the fish is just done – avoid overcooking, as the delicate fish meat can fall apart. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface as it cooks for an even clearer broth.
Step 9
It’s time to flavor the stew! Mix 1 tablespoon of gochujang and 2 tablespoons of gochugaru to create the seasoning paste and stir it into the pot. Season with soup soy sauce or salt to your preference. Remember, the goal is to highlight the natural flavor of the fresh croaker, so season it gently.
Step 10
Finally, add the crown daisy, green onions, enoki mushrooms, tofu, and Korean chili peppers. Simmer for another moment until everything is heated through. Your refreshing and deeply flavorful summer health booster, croaker fish stew, is now ready! Enjoy it piping hot with a bowl of steamed rice.
