Yangshuo Beer - Braised Fish is truly the signature dish of Yangshuo, embodying the essence of Yangshuo's culinary culture.
The selection of ingredients for this dish is extremely meticulous. It's essential to use live fish from the Lijiang River. The water of the Lijiang River is clear and pure, providing an excellent growth environment for fish, so the fish here are fresh and plump. These live fish are like treasures in the water. Each one is full of vitality, with firm and tender flesh, carrying the natural freshness bestowed by the Lijiang River.
When cooking, first clean the fish and then put it into a hot oil pan for frying. The moment the fish touches the hot pan, it will make a "sizzling" sound, as if it's having an enthusiastic conversation with the hot oil. Frying the fish is a crucial step. Both sides of the fish need to be fried until golden - brown. At this time, the outer skin of the fish becomes crispy, as if it's wearing a layer of golden - brown armor. This not only locks in the tenderness inside the fish but also adds a unique charred flavor.
Next, add the unique ingredients of Yangshuo Beer - Braised Fish. These ingredients are a secret recipe carefully prepared by generations of chefs and include various local spices, scallions, ginger, and garlic, which add a strong local flavor to this dish. Then, pour an appropriate amount of beer. The beer boils in the pan and blends with the fish and ingredients. The malt aroma of the beer begins to fill the entire kitchen and also injects a soul into this dish.
After that, cover the pot and let the fish simmer in the embrace of beer and ingredients. During the simmering process, the aroma of the beer gradually penetrates into every fiber of the fish, making the fish even more tender and juicy. The natural freshness of the fish itself is also released during this process and mixes with the flavors of beer and ingredients. After a period of simmering, the fish broth becomes rich and mellow, showing an attractive color. The fish broth has a faint aroma of beer. This aroma is not too strong but just right to enhance the flavor of the whole dish.
When Yangshuo Beer - Braised Fish is served on the table, its color alone is enough to make people's mouths water. Pick up a piece of fish and put it in your mouth. The first thing you feel is the crispness of the outer skin, and then the tender and juicy fish inside. Bite gently, and the fish will spread in your mouth like tender flower petals. The released fresh flavor and the faint aroma of beer intertwine, allowing your taste buds to immerse in a wonderful gustatory feast. And the rich and mellow fish broth is an essential and wonderful part that you can't miss. Scoop up some fish broth with a spoon and pour it on the rice. The richness of the fish broth and the delicate fragrance of the rice match each other, and every bite is full of satisfaction.
