serves
4
prep
15 minutes
cook
20 minutes
difficulty
Easy
serves
4
people
preparation
15
minutes
cooking
20
minutes
difficulty
Easy
level
Ingredients
- 1 whole (about 55 cm long), cleaned and gutted
- oil, for deep-frying
- plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 500 ml (2 cups) water (or a mixture of water and pineapple juice)
- 250 ml (1 cup) brown vinegar
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- drop of sesame oil
- salt and pepper
- onion, capsicum, carrot, Chinese pickled vegetables, pineapple pieces or your favourite vegetables
Instructions
Score the flesh of the fish at intervals of about 3 cm on both sides. This will make it easier to cook through. While the oil is heating in a wok or large frying pan, dust fish with the seasoned flour.
Deep-fry the fish, turning once. Remove from the oil and drain, then place on a serving platter.
Combine the water, vinegar, sugar and tomato sauce in a saucepan. Add vegetables and bring to the boil. (If using pineapple pieces, add at the last minute and allow to heat in the sauce before pouring over the fish.)
Make a paste of the cornflour in a little water, then stir into the vinegar and sugar sauce to thicken it. Add sesame oil. Season. Serve with fish.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
