Fish head tofu is a traditional dish with both color and flavor, which is popular in many parts of China, especially in Hunan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
This dish is made with fresh fish head and tender tofu as the main ingredients, supplemented by a variety of spices, and is rich in taste and high nutritional value, and is loved by people of all ages. Below, I will introduce the classic practices and steps of fish head tofu in detail.
Preparation of materials
Main Material:1 fresh fish head, 1 piece of soft tofu (about 300 grams).
Auxiliary Materials:1 piece of ginger, 5 cloves of garlic, 2 stalks of green garlic, 1 red pepper, a little coriander.
Seasoning:Appropriate amount of salt, appropriate amount of chicken essence (or monosodium glutamate), appropriate amount of white pepper, appropriate amount of cooking wine, appropriate amount of light soy sauce, appropriate amount of bean paste, appropriate amount of edible oil.
Cooking tools
Woks or frying pans, knives, cutting boards, bowls, and spice plates.
Steps
Step 1: Prepare the materials
After washing the grass carp head, cut it in the middle to remove impurities and black film, then rinse it well and drain the water.
Peel the ginger and garlic cloves and slice them;Garlic cut into pieces;Cut red peppers into rings;Wash the parsley and set aside.
Tofu is cut into medium-sized pieces, which can be rectangular or square.
Step 2: Dispose of the fish head
Take a container, put the fish head in, add an appropriate amount of cooking wine, a small amount of salt, and an appropriate amount of ginger slices, spread evenly and marinate for more than 10 minutes to remove the smell and increase the flavor.
Heat the pan with cold oil, when the oil temperature is 50% hot, fry the fish head on both sides until golden brown, and when frying the fish head, you can properly cover the pot to avoid oil splashing.
Step 3: Stir-fry the seasoning
Once the fish head is fried, remove it and set aside.
Leave the bottom oil in the pan, add the remaining ginger and garlic slices, and stir-fry until fragrant.
Add the bean paste and stir-fry until the oil is red and fragrant.
Step 4: Cook the fish head
Return the fried fish head to the pan and add the stir-fried seasoning.
Add an appropriate amount of hot water (preferably over the fish head), bring to a boil over high heat, and skim off the foam.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes to allow the fish head to fully absorb the flavor of the soup.
Step 5: Add the tofu
Gently place the sliced tofu cubes into the pan, taking care not to break the shape of the tofu.
Continue to simmer for 5 minutes to allow the tofu to fully absorb the soup.
Step 6: Season and reduce the sauce
Add salt and chicken essence to taste, adjust according to personal taste.
Sprinkle with an appropriate amount of white pepper to add layers of flavor.
Reduce the juice over high heat and thicken the soup slightly, so that the flavor of the tofu and fish head is stronger.
Step 7: Remove from the pan and serve
Once the soup is thickened, add the chopped green garlic and red pepper rings and cook for 1 minute.
Turn off the heat, sprinkle with coriander to enhance the fragrance, remove from the pan and serve.
Tips
When choosing a fish head, a fresh fish head is key, the eyes are bright and the flesh is firm.
When frying the fish head, control the heat and do not raise it too high to avoid frying.
The tofu can be blanched with boiling water before it is put into the pot, which can reduce the chipping of the tofu during the cooking process.
When adding water, use hot water to avoid shrinkage of the meat head and keep the meat tender.
Be gentle during the cooking process and try not to spoil the shape of the fish head and tofu.
Nutritional value
Fish head tofu is not only delicious, but also nutritious. Fish heads are rich in protein, vitamins A and D, as well as DHA and EPA, which are good for brain development. Tofu, on the other hand, is a high-quality plant-based protein** that contains a variety of amino acids needed by the human body. The combination of the two not only satisfies the enjoyment of the taste, but also provides rich nutrients for the body.
Fish head tofu is a delicious and healthy dish, whether it is a family dinner or a gathering of friends, it is a beautiful scenery on the table. Consumed in moderation is beneficial to health. With the above steps, you can try making this delicious fish head tofu at home.