If you're looking for a flavourful and unique seafood dish to impress your guests, look no further than Nyonya Acar Fish. This dish is a popular Peranakan pickled fish recipe that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
The dish is made by deep-frying fish and then pickling it with a turmeric-vinegar base, garlic, ginger, and chilies.
To prepare the ingredients for this dish, you'll need to gather a few key components.
You'll need fish, salt, cooking oil, garlic, ginger, turmeric root, red chilies, and white vinegar.
Once you have all the ingredients, you'll need to deep-fry the fish until it's crispy. Then, you'll combine the remaining ingredients to make the pickling sauce and pour it over the fish.
The cooking process for Nyonya Acar Fish is relatively simple, but the results are impressive. The dish is packed with flavour and the pickling process gives the fish a unique texture that is both soft and crunchy.
If you're looking for a recipe that is sure to impress your guests, Nyonya Acar Fish is a great choice.
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start cooking Nyonya Acar Fish, it's important to prepare all the ingredients. Here's what you need to do:
Selecting the Fish
For this recipe, you can use bone-in silver mullet or red snapper fillets.
Make sure to choose fresh fish that has a firm texture and a mild flavour. If you prefer a stronger flavour, you can use mackerel instead.
Vegetables and Aromatics
You will need a variety of vegetables and aromatics to make the marinade. The most important ones are garlic, fresh turmeric (or turmeric root), and ginger.
You will also need cucumber, carrot, and shallot. Make sure to wash and peel the vegetables before slicing them into thin matchsticks.
Creating the Marinade
To create the marinade, you will need to combine the vegetables and aromatics with salt, sugar, and turmeric powder.
Mix everything together and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.
Here's a table summarizing the ingredients you will need:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bone-in silver mullet or red snapper fillets | 600g |
| Mackerel (optional) | - |
| Garlic | 2 bulbs, thinly sliced |
| Fresh turmeric or turmeric root | 1 medium-sized piece, thinly sliced |
| Ginger | 1 big knob, julienned |
| Cucumber | 1/2 cup, matchsticks cut |
| Carrot | 1/2 cup, matchsticks cut |
| Shallot | 80g, thinly sliced |
| Salt | 2 tbsp |
| Sugar | 150g |
| Turmeric powder | 1/2 tsp |
In the next section, we'll cover how to prepare the fish for cooking.
Cooking Process
Frying the Fish
To start off, you'll need to fry the fish until it's crispy.
Heat up some oil in a wok and deep-fry the fish until it's golden brown. Make sure to use a wok to get the perfect crispiness.
Once done, set the fish aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
Making the Acar Gravy
Next, it's time to make the acar gravy.
In a separate pan, heat up some oil and stir-fry chopped garlic and ginger until fragrant.
Add in some sliced red chillies and stir-fry for a few more minutes. Then, add in some white vinegar, brown sugar, and water. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sugar has dissolved.
Combining and Garnishing
Now it's time to combine the fish and the acar gravy.
Pour the acar gravy over the fish and let it sit for at least an hour to let the flavours soak in.
Before serving, sprinkle some toasted white sesame seeds and chopped red chillies over the top for garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients do I need for a traditional Nyonya acar fish?
To make a traditional Nyonya acar fish, you will need fish, sea salt, cooking oil, garlic, ginger, turmeric root, red chillies, white vinegar, and sugar.
You can find the exact measurements and instructions for making this dish in our Nyonya Acar Fish recipe.
How long should I marinate the fish for a Nyonya acar dish?
To get the best flavour, you should marinate the fish for at least 24 hours.
This will allow the fish to fully absorb the turmeric-vinegar base and all the spices.
You can find more tips and tricks for marinating fish in our Nyonya Acar Fish recipe.
Can I make Nyonya acar fish without using a traditional oven?
Yes, you can make Nyonya acar fish without using a traditional oven. In fact, most recipes call for deep-frying the fish in oil.
You can find more information on how to cook Nyonya acar fish in our Nyonya Acar Fish recipe.
What's the best type of fish to use for a Nyonya acar recipe?
The best type of fish to use for a Nyonya acar recipe is a firm, white fish such as mullet or mackerel.
These types of fish hold up well during the deep-frying process and have a mild flavour that pairs well with the pickling spices.
You can find more information on choosing the right fish in our Nyonya Acar Fish recipe.
Are there any shortcuts for making quick Nyonya acar fish?
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts for making traditional Nyonya acar fish.
This dish requires a lot of preparation and marinating time to achieve the right flavour and texture.
However, you can try using a store-bought pickling spice mix to save some time. Just be sure to read the ingredients carefully to ensure that they match the authentic Nyonya recipe.
How do I achieve the authentic Nyonya flavour in my acar fish recipe?
To achieve the authentic Nyonya flavour in your acar fish recipe, you should use fresh, high-quality ingredients and follow the recipe instructions carefully.
You can also experiment with adding different spices and herbs to customise the flavour to your liking.
For more tips on achieving the authentic Nyonya flavour, check out our Nyonya Acar Fish recipe.