Delicious Pepper Braised Anchovy
The delicious braised anchovy with pepper, if braised properly, will have a shiny, dark red-brown color, sticky and firm. The braised anchovy is mouth-watering, you won't need any other elaborate dishes to enjoy it with rice.
Ingredients
- 600g of anchovies
- 5 dried onions, 1 ginger, 1 small galangal
- Ground pepper, green pepper, whole pepper (if available)
- Hot chili
- Salt
- Spices: Fish sauce, caramel, soy sauce, monosodium glutamate, chili powder
Ingredient Notes
- There are many types of anchovies, such as charcoal anchovy, white anchovy (also known as mỏm fish, mỏm anchovy), golden anchovy with red guts... The price of anchovies depends on the type and time, usually white anchovies are priced higher, the rest fluctuate around 80-100,000 VND/kg.
- For pepper-braised anchovy, you can use any type of pepper like whole pepper, black pepper, ground pepper, or green pepper... depending on your preparation.
- You can make caramel at home follow the instruction here.
Instructions
Preparation
Remove the head, guts, and fins of the anchovies, then rub them with salt, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry.
Chop the seasoning ingredients for stewed anchovy such as onions, ginger, galangal, chili, pepper... into small pieces and grind them thoroughly. You may set aside a few green pepper branches and some chilies to garnish the dish, which will enhance its visual appeal.
Marinate the anchovies
For 600g of anchovies, marinate them with:
- 1/2 tablespoon of salt
- 1.5 spoons of fish sauce. Depending on the protein and saltiness of the fish sauce you're using, you can adjust the amount accordingly.
- 1 spoon of soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon of MSG
- 1 spoon of caramel syrup
- 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder if you can handle the heat
- 1/2 spoon of cooking oil
Gently massage the spices into the fish, then add some of the chili, ginger, onion, and pepper mixture to the marinade for extra flavor. Let the fish marinate for about 20-30 minutes.
Stew the anchovies
First, spread the remaining onion, ginger, chili, and pepper mixture at the bottom of the pot or pan. Then add the fish and pour the marinade evenly over the top. Garnish with the remaining whole green peppers and chilies.
Place the pot/pan on the stove at high heat. The aim is to make the fish release water and firm up, as anchovies can easily become soft and mushy. Remember, don't stir the fish; instead, shake the pan to prevent the fish from sticking and burning.
Let it boil vigorously for about 8-10 minutes. Then, add hot water to just cover the surface of the fish to stew. Using hot water will help to eliminate the fishy smell. If you have coconut water, it's also great for stewing, giving the dish a delicious and rich flavor.
Once the stewing water boils again, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently. The small anchovies will need about 50-60 minutes to reach the right degree of bone softness. Occasionally flip the fish to ensure even seasoning.
After nearly 60 minutes, the stewing liquid will have reduced significantly and the fish should have firmed up. You can then adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more fish sauce and a bit of soy sauce.
After adjusting the flavor, increase the heat. This is the trick to make the stewed anchovies firm and keep their shape, without becoming mushy. Moreover, the fish will turn a tantalizing brownish-red color. Shake the pan to prevent the fish from sticking and burning.
Continue stewing until the stewing liquid thickens and reduces further. Then, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to make the fish shiny. Stew for a little longer and then turn off the heat.
The stewed fish will become firmer and tougher as it cools down compared to when it's still hot.
Stewed anchovies made this way are firm and sticky, shiny, appealingly brown-red, and full of flavor. Occasionally biting into a pepper grain adds a wonderful taste. This dish is perfect served with rice, especially on chilly days. With a plate of stewed fish like this, all you need is a bit of boiled vegetables, maybe some fried tofu, and a vegetable soup for a delicious and nutritious meal.
