In Shanghai restaurants, this popular appetizer is typically served cold, which brings out its rich flavors. Traditionally, the fish is smoked. Though modern cooks now skip this step, the Shanghainese still call it "Smoked Fish."
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 6 (appetizer) servings
Ingredients
Fish
Sauce
Preparation
For fish:
Step 1
Rinse fish and pat dry. Mix green onions, ginger, 1 tablespoon rice wine, 1 tablespoon oil, and soy sauce in 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Add fish and turn to coat. Let marinate 1 hour at room temperature.
For sauce:
Step 2
Bring first 6 ingredients to boil in heavy small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is slightly thickened and reduced to 1/3 cup, about 4 minutes. Remove star anise sauce from heat and cool.
Step 3
Remove fish from marinade and place on several layers of paper towels to drain; reserve marinade. Pat fish dry. Heat 14-inch-diameter flat-bottomed wok over high heat until drop of water added to wok evaporates on contact. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to wok, then fish pieces, spreading evenly. Cover and cook 30 seconds. Uncover and loosen fish pieces with metal spatula. Reduce heat to medium and cook 1 minute. Turn fish pieces over; cook 1 minute. Add remaining 2 tablespoons rice wine and reserved marinade from fish. Cover and cook 1 minute. Remove wok from heat; let fish stand covered until just opaque in center, about 1 minute. Using metal spatula, transfer fish and sauce from wok to plate. Drizzle with some of star anise sauce. Refrigerate until cold. DO AHEAD Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover fish and keep chilled. Cover remaining star anise sauce and let stand at room temperature.
Step 4
Spoon additional star anise sauce over fish; sprinkle with green onions and serve cold or at room temperature.
