Recipe for Steamed Fish with Ginger and Green Onion: Dragon Cafe Family Eating

Many Chinese dishes are described in Judy Fong Bates novel, Midnight at the Dragon Cafe.  Students reading the novel are aware of the differences in food consumed by the family in family gatherings depicted in the novel, and the food served to the lo fon at the Dragon Cafe. On page 138 Annie observes,  " The quiet evening had given my mother and Lee-Kung the time to prepare a special meal. When they could they made intricate dishes, experimenting with different combinations of ingredients." But this domestic dance in the kitchen was about to change, and on page 252, we see the following example of the meal cooked for Lee-Kung's new mail order bride:

  " For supper, Lee-Kung had cooked a whole fish steamed with garlic, ginger, and green scallions..."

Here is a recipe that might be similar:

Ingredients

• 1 pound halibut fillet
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro sprigs

Directions

1. Pat halibut dry with paper towels. Rub both sides of fillet with salt. Scatter the ginger over the top of the fish and place onto a heatproof ceramic dish.
2. Place into a bamboo steamer set over several inches of gently boiling water, and cover. Gently steam for 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Pour accumulated water out of the dish and sprinkle the fillet with green onion. Drizzle both soy sauces over the surface of the fish.
4. Heat peanut and sesame oils in a small skillet over medium-high heat until they begin to smoke. When the oil is hot, carefully pour on top of the halibut fillet. The very hot oil will cause the green onions and water on top of the fish to pop and spatter all over - be careful. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 361 | Total Fat: 16.8g | Cholesterol: 73mg