Deep-fried Yellow Croaker with Sweet-and-Sour Sauce

Deep-fried Yellow Croaker with Sweet-and-Sour Sauce


Ingredients:

- 1 whole yellow croaker about 1 1/2 lb (750 g) (or similar fish)
- 1/2 tsp. garlic, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. soy sauce
- 6 cups (1,500 ml) vegetable oil for deep-frying; uses about
7 oz (200ml) 10oz (300ml) clear stock
- 1/2 tsp. scallions, chopped
- 14 tbsp (200g) sugar
- 1/4 tsp. fresh ginger, chopped
- 10 tbsp (150g) cornstarch (cornflour), dissolved in 5 tbsp water

* You can find popular Chinese cooking ingredients and cookware at
ChineseFoodDIY online store at:
http://www.chinesefooddiy.com/shopping.htm

Directions:

1. Draw, scale, and wash the dish. Blot dry. Make 5 to 7
diagonal slashes about 1/4 inch deep at even intervals on
each side. Rub salt in the slashes and dust all over with
flour.

2. Heat the oil in a wok to about 350oF (180oC). Hold the fish
by the tail and carefully lower it into the oil. Slide a
wok scoop or spatula under the fish to keep it from
sticking to the wok and deep-fry until the slashes open,
about 2 minutes. Continue to turn the fish and deep-fry
it until the skin is brown on all sides. Finish by laying
the fish flat in the oil and pressing the head down with
the scoop until it browns. Remove , drain and place on a
large oval sewing dish.

3. Pour all but 7 tbsp of the oil out of the wok. Heat until
the oil surface ripples. Add the scallions ginger, garlic,
vinegar, and soy sauce. Add the stock, sugar, and cornstarch.
Cook, stirring until the sauce thickens. Pour over the fish
and serve.