Whole Black Bass with Ginger and Spring onions

Ingredients for Whole Black Bass with Ginger and Spring onions

• 1 (3-lb) whole black bass or sea bass (not Chilean), cleaned, leaving head and tail intact

• 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 bunch spring onions, white and pale green parts cut into very thin 2-inch strips and greens reserved separately

• 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into very thin matchsticks

• 45ml light soy sauce (preferably Pearl River Bridge brand)

• 1/4 teaspoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil

• a large shallow baking dish (about 15 by 10 inches) to fit inside a 17- by 12- by 2 1/2-inch roasting pan

• heavy-duty foil

• a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok

How to make Whole Black Bass with Ginger and Spring onions

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 204°C. Put baking dish in roasting pan.

Rinse fish and pat dry, then rub inside and out with salt. Transfer to baking dish and sprinkle with spring onion strips (white and pale green) and ginger.

Stir together soy sauce and sugar until sugar is dissolved, then pour over fish. Add enough boiling-hot water to roasting pan to reach halfway up side of baking dish. Oil a large sheet of heavy-duty foil, then tent foil (oiled side down) over fish and tightly seal around roasting pan. Carefully transfer roasting pan to oven and bake until fish is just cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes.

While fish bakes, cut enough spring onion greens diagonally into very thin slices to measure 120ml (reserve remainder for another use).

Just before serving, remove foil from fish and sprinkle with spring onion greens. Heat wok over high heat until a bead of water vaporizes instantly. Pour oil around side of wok, then tilt wok to swirl oil, coating side, and heat until smoking. Remove from heat and immediately pour oil over spring onion greens and fish.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.