Claypot cooking is one of my favourites. Years ago when I was still a student in KL, I often frequented hawkers stalls for lunch and dinner. One of the dishes like claypot chicken rice by never failed to catch my attention. I always like my food to be warm when served, and claypot is the best in keeping the heat. Claypot cooking is not only a famous method used in SE Asia, it is also commonly used in several cuisines in Europe.
I bought a claypot not too long ago and have been wanting to use it. I thought of one dish that I used to eat quite a lot when my family and I went to a famous Chinese Seafood restaurant near to my uncle’s place in Kuala Perlis. This uncle of mine was in fishery business. When the catch was good, he would ask us to join him and his family at this particular restaurant, which he knew the proprietor really well. He would bring the best and biggest fish to the restaurant and asked them to prepare the fresh catch! It couldn’t have been fresher than this!
I love fish. One of my favourites is Grouper. Grouper has got really firm meat and it is suitable for stir-frying or braising. I got 2 Groupers when I went to Billingsgate Market not long ago. First thing that came to my mind when I saw grouper was claypot fish.
Claypot fish may sound really simple, I added some shiitake mushrooms, tofu, snow peas, baby corn, chinese cabbage and carrots. A wholesome meal was ready in less than 20 minutes! I think best dishes are always those that have been kept in my memory since I was a kid that never failed to put a smile on my face. I reminisced a lot about all the food that I tasted since childhood! Do you?
Recipe: Claypot Fish (砂煲鱼)
Ingredients:
Grouper or red snapper (cut into squares), 400-500g
Tofu (cut into squares), 100g
Shiitake mushrooms (or Chinese mushrooms), 3-4
Snow peas, 10-12
Baby corn (halves), 8
Chinese cabbage (roughly cut into 4cm), 4-5 leaves
Carrots (thinly sliced), 1/4
Garlic (chopped), 1 cloves
Ginger (chopped), 1 cm
Oil, 1-2 tbsp
Chinese rice wine, 1 tbsp
Corn flour, 1 tbsp
Salt, a pinch
Water, 80ml
Seasoning
Oyster sauce, 1 tbsp
White pepper, 1/8 tsp
Thickening
Cornflour, 1 tsp
Water, 1 tbsp
Method:
1. Marinate the fish with a pinch of salt.
2. Cut the tofu into squares. Pan fry the tofu with a little bit of oil until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
3. Coat the fish with cornflour, pan fry each piece until slightly golden brown. Set aside.
4. Heat up a pan with some oil. Put in garlic and ginger, fry until fragrance and but brown. Put in chinese rice wine. Add in carrots, chinese cabbage, snow peas, baby corn, and Shiitake mushroom. Stir-fry under low heat for about 4 minutes.
5. Add in water and slowly bring to a boil. Add in fish and tofu. Give it a good stir. Add in seasoning then thicken the sauce with conflour mixture.
6. Heat a claypot in the oven for about 4-5 minutes until hot.
7. Pour in the cook dish into the claypot, serve immediately.
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December 13th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Most of the time if I go to Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg, I love ordering claypot fish. Thou, I have the claypot at home, I am too lazy
Anyway, I barely see groupers for sell. Once, I bought then I never see those again. I will try one day by myself. Thanks
December 13th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
yum yum, mouth watering just reading and looking at the pic!
Merry X'mas and Happy New Year Leemei!
December 14th, 2009 at 1:59 am
the clay pot is perfect way to make mouthwatering dishes like this
December 14th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Wow, grouper is an excellent fish for this. It's expensive over here in Singapore, though. Is it pricey where you live? I too, adore claypot. You made such a tasty, delicious and beautiful version. Your photography really does justice to your food!
December 14th, 2009 at 2:56 am
I do reminisced a lot (hence my blog was born!!)… a feel good factor…certain food, certain songs… Like now… I missed the smell of London in winter…smell of coffee, roasted chesnuts on Oxford St, the cold air…..enjoying Xmas decor along Regent St..on bus no 9 from Strand..sigh
Your pic ..as always…looks yummy….
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year…
December 14th, 2009 at 6:52 am
That is one beautiful claypot, wow!!!! I love claypot cooking and your recipe has got me thinking about dinner already!!!!
December 14th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
This looks absolutely delicious! I can have this everyday!!
December 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
That dish looks really yummy and ur fotography is excellent! I just found your site. Love it.)
December 14th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Hey! Agreed! My fave comfort foods never fail to bring smiles to my face! Actually, even for those that I used to like and have now grown to be unkeen of, they will also make me happy! LOL!
This dish is one of my faves, too! Simple and yet full of goodness! Will give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
December 15th, 2009 at 5:45 am
Such food is best during winter
December 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
This dish brings back so many memories of home..I usually make mine with chicken – nice with fish.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Hi Zurin,
Thanks for your comment! Stay tuned for more yummy recipes!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
It could be difficult to source for grouper. If not the wholesale fish market, I really have no idea where to buy.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Merry Christmas and great 2010!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Yea, I really love claypot cooking!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Errr.. I don't remember how much I paid for 2. They were not big though. Guess if I convert to SGP, it could be the same or slightly more expensive?!
I am flattered with your compliments… thanks!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Did you live in London at some point? You still remember the bus no. that you took… heheh.
It's great to found your blog!!
Merry Xmas too
December 15th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Thanks! Claypot is really a great way to present food and keep it warm.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Same here
December 15th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I guess every time even when I talk about food, it makes me happy, let alone eating it.. hehehe..
December 15th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Definitely!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Chicken is another great choice!
December 16th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I love claypot dish too. They are simple and easy to make. I even use it to boil my porridge. Your one-pot dish looks so really yummy and I love your claypot too!
December 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Wow this looks delicious! I love claypot chicken rice too, anything claypot really =)
December 16th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Claypot fish is a favorite of mine to order in vietnamese restaurants. Gorgeous photo!
December 18th, 2009 at 12:08 am
I love everything clay pot, especially when it's cold, but lately, I just love really simple food like porridge with simple dishes. So warm and nostalgic!
December 18th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I was there in the mid to late 80s..studied there…bus route if its still plying… from Strand to High St Ken.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I bet it's great to use it to cook porridge. hehe.. I bought the claypot at a Chinese supermarket.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Hi-5!
December 18th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Thanks! I have not tried Vietnamese version.. hoping to try soon!
December 18th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Simple food, of course, is alway the best! Porridge is always my comfort food.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Ohhh i see!