Steaming Fresh Tilapia: A Simple, Quick, And Tasty Guide

Steamed tilapia is a classic Cantonese dish that is both delicious and healthy. It is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, often served as one of the final courses in a wedding banquet or during Lunar New Year celebrations. The whole fish is typically steamed with its head and tail still attached, but for convenience, fish fillets can also be used. This dish is usually seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions, and can be cooked in a wok, steamer, or even a microwave. The cooking time varies depending on the size and thickness of the fish, but it typically takes around 10-20 minutes for a whole fish and half the time for fish fillets.

Steamer setup: use a wok, metal tiered steamer, or a deep skillet with a lid

Steamer setup: wok, metal tiered steamer, or deep skillet with a lid

You can steam tilapia in a few different types of steamers. The traditional way to steam fish is with a wok, steaming rack, and lid, or a wok and a bamboo steamer. Many restaurants use steam ovens or large multi-level steamers, but a large wok is the most flexible steaming tool, especially for a large fish or fillet.

If you don't have a wok or steamer, you can use a large pot or deep skillet with a lid. You can use a steaming rack or an empty tuna can in 1-2 inches of water.

A metal tiered steamer can also be used, as can a bamboo steamer basket, which is the default in Asia. If using a metal steamer, place the steamer lid on a large piece of cheesecloth and tie the corners to cover the lid, leaving only the handle visible. The fabric will soak up steam, preventing condensation from falling back into the fish.

Seasonings: soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions

Steaming is a great way to cook fish, keeping it moist and allowing it to retain its natural goodness. Here's a guide to seasoning and cooking steamed tilapia with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Tilapia fillets (or whole tilapia, but this will take longer to cook and serve)
• Soy sauce (light or all-purpose, not dark)
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Green onions
• Steamer basket or pot with a steamer insert
• Heat-proof plate that fits inside your steamer
• Foil (optional)

Preparation

Start by preparing your steamer. If using a steamer basket, fill the bottom with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a boil. If using a pot, place a small round metal rack or empty tuna can inside and fill with water.

Next, rinse your tilapia fillets and lay them on the heat-proof plate. If using whole tilapia, you may want to lightly season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper first.

Now it's time to add the seasonings. Pour soy sauce over the fish, then sprinkle with ginger, garlic, and green onions. You can also add other ingredients like sesame oil, vegetable oil, or cilantro if desired.

Cooking

Once your seasonings are in place, carefully place the plate of fish into your steamer. Cover with a lid and steam for 10-15 minutes for fillets or 20-30 minutes for a whole fish, or until the fish is cooked through. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork or knife.

For an extra flavour boost, you can heat some vegetable oil in a wok or saucepan and add the remaining ginger and green onions. Fry for a minute or so, then pour this mixture over the fish.

Serve your steamed tilapia immediately with steamed rice and vegetables. Enjoy!

Cooking time: 15 minutes for fillets, double for whole fish

Steamed tilapia is a classic Cantonese dish that can be made with either a whole fish or fillets. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the fish, but as a general rule of thumb, fillets will take around 15 minutes to cook, while a whole fish will take double that time.

If you're using fillets, start by rinsing the fish and patting it dry with paper towels. This step is important to ensure that the flavours don't become diluted from excess water. Place the fish in a single layer on a heat-proof plate that will fit inside your steamer basket.

For a whole fish, scale and gut the tilapia before making 3-4 shallow slashes on each side to help the fish absorb the marinade. You can ask your fishmonger to do this step for you if you prefer.

To prepare the marinade, combine soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions. You can also add other ingredients like sesame oil, rice wine, or sugar to taste. Pour the marinade over the fish, making sure both sides of the fillets are coated or rubbing it into the slashes on the whole fish.

If you're steaming fillets, place the plate of fish into the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. For a whole fish, layer cabbage or another bed of vegetables onto a heat-resistant plate and place the fish on top. Place the plate into the top portion of the steamer, cover, and steam for 30 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the steamer and serve immediately. You can sprinklesection-break> sprinkle it with fresh herbs, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of hot oil for extra flavour. Enjoy your delicious and healthy steamed tilapia!

Fish preparation: pat dry, score, and stuff with aromatics

To prepare your tilapia for steaming, start by patting the fish dry with paper towels. This step is important as it ensures that the flavours won't become diluted from excess water. Next, score both sides of the fish. This will help the flavours permeate the fish as it cooks.

Now, it's time to stuff the tilapia with aromatics. For this, you'll need ginger and scallions (also known as green onions). Thinly slice a knob of ginger and cut the scallions into 2-inch lengths. Cut these pieces in half lengthwise, then julienne them thinly. Take a couple of stalks of scallions and tie them into a knot. Stuff the cavity of the fish with the knotted scallions and half of the ginger.

If you're using fish fillets instead of a whole tilapia, simply place the fish in a single layer on a heat-proof plate that will fit in your steamer. You can then sprinkle the ginger and scallions over the fish, along with other seasonings like garlic, before steaming.

Serving suggestions: jasmine rice and vegetables

Steamed tilapia is a delicious and healthy dish, especially when served with jasmine rice and vegetables. Here are some tips and suggestions to make your meal even more enjoyable:

Cooking the Jasmine Rice:

Jasmine rice is a fragrant type of rice that cooks to a tender and fluffy texture. To cook it, combine water, rice, and butter in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and then simmer it covered until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. This usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes. You can also try using chicken broth instead of water to add extra flavour to the rice.

Preparing the Vegetables:

When it comes to choosing vegetables to accompany your steamed tilapia and jasmine rice, there are several options that pair well with the dish. Here are some suggestions:

• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Zucchini
• Brussels sprouts
• Asparagus
• Cauliflower

You can sauté or roast these vegetables before serving them alongside the fish and rice. For example, you could roast broccoli or cauliflower in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender and slightly charred. Similarly, you can roast Brussels sprouts in the oven for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your desired level of crunchiness.

Presenting the Dish:

When serving steamed tilapia, it is best to use a heat-proof bowl to avoid transferring the fish to another dish, as it can be soft and flaky. Place the cooked tilapia on a bed of jasmine rice, surrounded by your choice of vegetables. You can also add a sauce or seasoning to enhance the flavours. Some options include:

• Tartar sauce
• Lemon butter
• Fresh salsa
• Aioli
• Soy sauce
• Ginger
• Scallions

Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

Frequently asked questions