If you're looking for a delicious and healthy seafood main course, steamed tilapia with oyster sauce is a great option. This dish is easy to prepare and is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. The combination of tender and flaky tilapia with the umami flavour of oyster sauce makes for a mouth-watering dish that everyone will love.
Preparing the tilapia is a simple process that involves scaling and gutting the fish. Once the fish is cleaned, it is ready to be steamed. The cooking process involves placing the fish in a steamer and cooking it for 15-20 minutes or until it is fully cooked.
While the fish is steaming, the oyster sauce is prepared by combining fish extract with Mama Sita's Oyster Sauce. Once the fish is cooked, it is placed on a platter and the sauce is poured over it. Garnish with wansoy, ginger, and leeks to add more flavour and texture to the dish.
Key Takeaways
- Steamed tilapia with oyster sauce is a delicious and healthy seafood main course that is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.
- The process of preparing the tilapia is simple and involves scaling and gutting the fish before steaming it.
- The combination of tender and flaky tilapia with the umami flavour of oyster sauce makes for a mouth-watering dish that everyone will love.
Preparing the Tilapia
When it comes to preparing steamed tilapia with oyster sauce, selecting fresh fish is crucial. You can either use fish fillets or a whole fish. If you choose to use a whole fish, make sure it is fresh and has clear eyes, red gills, and shiny skin.
Selecting Fresh Fish
When buying fish fillets, look for ones that are firm, shiny, and have no discolouration. Tilapia is a freshwater fish that is commonly found in lakes and rivers. It has a mild flavour and adapts well to a variety of seasonings.
Cleaning and Seasoning
Before cooking, clean the fish by removing the scales, gutting it, and removing the gills. Rinse the fish thoroughly in cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel. Season the fish with salt, black pepper, and white pepper. You can also add lemon juice for a tangy flavour.
Marinating Techniques
Marinating the fish can add more flavour to the dish. You can use soy sauce or seasoned soy sauce as a base for the marinade. Add ginger and garlic to the marinade for an extra kick of flavour. Marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes before steaming it.
Cooking Process
Steaming the Tilapia
To start off, you will need to prepare the tilapia by cleaning it thoroughly. Once the fish is cleaned, place it on a plate and set it aside. Take a wok or a pot and fill it with water, making sure that the water level is below the plate. Place the plate with the tilapia inside the wok or pot and cover it with a lid.
Turn on the heat and let the water boil. Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the fish steam for about 15-20 minutes. This steaming process will allow the fish to cook evenly and retain its natural aroma and flavour.
Preparing the Oyster Sauce
While the tilapia is steaming, you can start preparing the oyster sauce. In a small bowl, mix together oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and a little bit of water. Stir the mixture well until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Take a separate pan and heat vegetable oil in it. Add chopped onions and sauté them until they turn translucent. Add the oyster sauce mixture to the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
Garnishing and Serving
Once the tilapia is fully steamed, carefully remove the plate from the wok or pot and set it aside. Pour the liquid from the plate into the pan with the oyster sauce mixture and stir well.
Place the steamed tilapia on a serving platter and pour the oyster sauce mixture over it. Garnish the dish with chopped green onions and cilantro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to steam tilapia if I don't have a steamer?
If you don't have a steamer, you can still steam tilapia using a large pot or wok. Fill the pot with water and place a heat-proof plate or a bamboo steamer on top. Make sure the water level is below the plate or steamer. Bring the water to a boil, place the tilapia on the plate or in the steamer, cover with a lid, and steam for about 15-20 minutes or until cooked.
How long should I steam a tilapia fillet wrapped in foil?
If you're steaming a tilapia fillet wrapped in foil, it should take about 10-15 minutes to cook. Preheat your steamer or pot of water, place the foil-wrapped fillet on a plate or in a steamer basket, and steam until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Can I substitute oyster sauce with fish sauce in a recipe?
Although oyster sauce and fish sauce are both used in many Asian recipes, they have different flavours and consistencies. Oyster sauce is thick and sweet, while fish sauce is salty and pungent.
While you could substitute fish sauce for oyster sauce in a recipe, it would change the flavour profile significantly. It's best to use the sauce called for in the recipe, or experiment with small amounts of each to find what suits your taste buds.
What are the key ingredients for a classic steamed tilapia dish?
A classic steamed tilapia dish typically includes ginger, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. These ingredients are often used in Chinese cuisine to add flavour to steamed fish dishes.
Is there a noticeable fishy taste to oyster sauce?
Oyster sauce is made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt, and other flavourings. While it does have a slight seafood flavour, it's not overly fishy. The sauce is more sweet and savoury than anything else, and is often used to add depth of flavour to stir-fries, marinades, and steamed dishes.
How do I prepare a steamed tilapia Chinese style?
To prepare steamed tilapia Chinese style, first clean and scale the fish. Stuff the cavity with ginger and scallions, and season the outside with salt. Place the fish on a plate or in a steamer basket, and steam for about 15-20 minutes or until cooked.
While the fish is steaming, prepare a sauce using soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a little sugar. Once the fish is cooked, pour the sauce over the top and garnish with chopped scallions and cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice.