Spicy Braised Croaker with Radish
Spicy Braised Croaker with Radish
How to Make Spicy Braised Croaker with Radish at Home
Using frozen croaker fish, I made a spicy braised dish with thickly sliced radish. This spicy and savory croaker dish, enjoyed after a long time, is a perfect accompaniment to rice. It’s a delicious side dish that can be enjoyed as a special treat.
Main Ingredients- 8 Croaker fish (defrosted)
- 1 piece Radish (approx. 200g)
- 1/2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (for boiling radish)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce (for boiling radish)
Seasoning Paste Ingredients- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Dried chili peppers (red and green, cut into large pieces)
- 3 Cups Water
- 1 Small green onion
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1-2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Dried chili peppers (red and green, cut into large pieces)
- 3 Cups Water
- 1 Small green onion
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1-2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the piece of radish into thick slices, about 1-1.5 cm thick. Slicing them too thinly might cause them to break apart during cooking, so aim for a substantial thickness.
Step 2
In a wide pot, place the sliced radish at the bottom. Pour in 2-3 cups of water (about 400-600ml) to sufficiently cover the radish.
Step 3
Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1/2 tablespoon of gochugaru to the pot. Cover with a lid and simmer over medium heat until the radish becomes somewhat translucent and tender, which should take about 10 minutes.
Step 4
While the radish is cooking, let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning paste. Slice the green onion diagonally. For the dried chili peppers (red and green), remove the seeds and cut them into large pieces. If you prefer it spicier, feel free to increase the amount of chili peppers.
Step 5
In a mixing bowl, add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 6
Add 1 tablespoon of mirin (rice wine). Mirin helps to eliminate any fishy odors and adds a depth of flavor.
Step 7
Add 3 tablespoons of gochugaru for a spicy kick and vibrant color.
Step 8
Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 9
Add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to balance the flavors. A touch of sweetness complements the croaker fish nicely.
Step 10
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic for a robust garlic flavor.
Step 11
Sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper to further enhance the flavors and reduce any potential gaminess.
Step 12
Finally, pour in 1 cup of water (about 200ml) and stir to combine all the ingredients. This creates your delicious seasoning paste. You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less water.
Step 13
Now for the star ingredient: the croaker fish. Here are 8 frozen croaker fish, prepared by trimming off the head and tail fins, and portioned for convenience. After defrosting, wash them thoroughly under running water.
Step 14
Once the radish in the pot is sufficiently tender, arrange the prepared croaker fish on top of the radish. If the water level has reduced significantly, add a little more water to prevent the fish from sticking and burning.
Step 15
Spoon the prepared seasoning paste evenly over the croaker fish. Make sure to coat the fish thoroughly so the flavors can penetrate deep into the flesh.
Step 16
Here is the dish after the seasoning paste has been generously applied. It already looks mouthwatering!
Step 17
Now, cover the pot with a lid and cook over medium-high to medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the croaker fish is fully cooked. Basting the fish with the braising liquid occasionally will help the flavors meld and keep the fish moist.
