Delicious and Easy Steamed Fish with Gourd Recipe

Steamed fish with gourd is a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals. With the refreshing flavor of gourd combined with the tender and sweet fish, this dish is not only easy to make but also highly nutritious. Let’s explore how to make the perfect steamed fish with gourd through this article!

Main ingredients for steamed fish with gourd

Necessary Ingredients

To prepare steamed fish with gourd, you will need the following ingredients:

• Snakehead fish: 1 fish (about 500-700g)
• Gourd: 1 medium-sized
• Ginger: 1 small piece
• Herbs: green onions, dill, Vietnamese coriander
• Chili pepper: 1
• Shallots: 3
• Garlic: 4 cloves
• Seasonings: salt, sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, ground pepper

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Thoroughly clean the snakehead fish:

• Scrape off the scales, remove the guts, and rinse with salt to eliminate the fishy smell.
• Use a knife to make light diagonal cuts on the fish’s body to allow the seasonings to penetrate evenly.

Peel the gourd, rinse it, and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Rinse the herbs and chop them finely. Mince the ginger, garlic, and shallots.

Step 2: Marinate the Fish

Prepare the fish marinade mixture:

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper
• Minced ginger, garlic, and shallots

Coat the fish thoroughly with the marinade mixture and let it marinate for about 20 minutes.

How to marinate steamed fish with gourd

Step 3: Steam the Fish

Arrange the cut gourd at the bottom of the steamer, place the fish on top, and sprinkle with sliced ginger. Add enough water to the steamer and start steaming over low heat.

Steam for about 25-30 minutes. Add the herbs on top 5 minutes before turning off the heat to enhance the flavor.

Step 4: Prepare the Dipping Sauce

Mix the dipping sauce according to the following recipe:

• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice
• Minced garlic and chili

Stir the mixture well and adjust to taste.

Final Product and Enjoyment

The steamed fish will have an appealing color, with firm and sweet meat that is well-seasoned. The refreshing taste of the gourd blends perfectly with the savory flavor of the fish, creating an appetizing dish.

You can wrap the fish in rice paper or pho noodles, add herbs, and dip it in the sweet and sour fish sauce with garlic and chili.

Delicious steamed fish with gourd wrapped in pho noodles

Helpful Tips

• Choose a live snakehead fish of medium size to ensure freshness
• Avoid over-steaming the fish to prevent the meat from becoming mushy
• Add a bit of white wine to the marinade to effectively remove the fishy smell
• Adjust the amount of seasonings to suit your family’s taste

With the detailed instructions above, you can confidently make delicious steamed fish with gourd at home. This is a nutritious dish suitable for the whole family, especially during hot summer days. Wishing you success and enjoyable meals with your loved ones!