QUICK-BRAISED FISH FILLETS IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Quick-Braised Fish Fillets in Black Bean Sauce image

Yield makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

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Peanut or neutral oil, like corn or grapeseed, for frying
1/4 cup fermented black beans (page 207)
1/4 cup Shaoxing wine, dry sherry, or water
2 cups flour
1 1/2 pounds fillets of grouper, sea bass, or red snapper
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 scallions, trimmed and roughly chopped
1 large onion, sliced
2 cups chopped tomatoes (drained canned are fine)
Soy sauce to taste

Steps:

Pour about 1/8 inch of oil into a wide, deep skillet, preferably nonstick. Place over medium-high heat. Soak the beans in the wine. Mix the flour with enough water to make a paste the consistency of sour cream. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
When the oil is hot-it will shimmer, and a pinch of flour tossed into it will sizzle-coat the fillets with the batter and brown them quickly, about 2 minutes per side.You may have to work in batches; do not crowd the fish. As you finish browning, transfer it to a plate. Turn off the heat and let the pan cool down a bit, then discard the oil and wipe out the pan.
Put 2 tablespoons oil in the pan and turn the heat to high. A minute later, add the ginger, garlic, and scallions and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes, just until it begins to soften. Turn the heat to medium and add the tomatoes and the black beans and their liquid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, just until the tomatoes begin to break up.
Return the fish to the pan (now it's okay to crowd) and continue to cook until it is done, about 5 minutes more (a thin-bladed knife inserted into the center will meet little resistance). Taste and add soy sauce if the dish is not salty enough; serve the fillets with the sauce over rice.