Sweet and Sour Carp

Sweet and Sour Carp is a traditional Chinese dish known for its delightful color, aroma, and taste. It is a classic in Chinese cuisine. The main ingredient is carp, which is deep-fried and then coated with a tangy sweet and sour sauce. The dish is characterized by its vibrant red color and its deliciously balanced sweet and sour flavor, making it a beloved favorite among many.

Carp is a common type of fish with tender flesh and rich nutritional value. For this dish, fresh, live carp is selected, and deep frying enhances its flavor. The fried carp is then topped with a specially made sweet and sour sauce, accompanied by seasonings such as green onions, ginger, and garlic, resulting in an even richer taste.

6 Reviews
6 Comments
POSTED:30/05/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:30 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:15 min

Many people love eating Sweet and Sour Carp, but it's important to know some key tips for making it. Once you master these techniques, you'll be able to make it easily! Let's learn together!


1、How to Mix the Sweet and Sour Sauce?

Remember the ratio 1:2:3:4 for the sauce—1 tablespoon of cooking wine, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 4 tablespoons of aged vinegar. Stick to this ratio, and your Sweet and Sour Carp will taste great and appeal to most palates. Of course, if you prefer it sweeter, add more sugar; if you like it tangier, add more vinegar.


2、How to Fry the Fish for a Good Presentation?

Frying the fish is an art. To achieve the desired look with the head and tail curved upwards, the carp should be added to the oil when it's heated to 70% of its maximum temperature. When placing the fish in the oil, hold the head and tail with your hands and make sure the back is facing down. This ensures that the cuts on the fish open up, allowing the entire fish to cook evenly.


By mastering these tips, you'll be able to quickly make an authentic Sweet and Sour Carp. You can also adjust the seasoning amounts and change up the additional ingredients based on your personal taste. Now, let's get started and make this delicious dish together!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 1 carp

ACCESSORIES

  • 3 tablespoons of flour
  • Appropriate amount of green onions, ginger, and garlic

SEASONINGS

  • 1 tablespoon of cooking wine
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 4 tablespoons of rice vinegar
  • Appropriate amount of cooking oil
  • Appropriate amount of water

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the Carp: Clean the carp and make several deep cuts on both sides of the fish.

Tips:

①When making the cuts, make them as deep as possible at a slight angle, cutting down to the bone.

②Remove the tendons from both sides of the carp since carp is considered a "trigger" food.

Instructions on how to prepare carp by cleaning, cutting, and removing tendons.

STEP 2

Marinate the Carp: Place the carp in a large bowl, add a suitable amount of shredded green onions and ginger, pour in 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, and sprinkle salt into each cut on the fish. Marinate for 10 minutes.

Marinate carp with green onions, ginger, wine, and salt for 10 minutes.

STEP 3

Prepare the Batter: In another bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water, and an appropriate amount of water. Stir in some cooking oil to make the batter.

Tips:

When coating the fish with cornstarch, ensure both sides are dry. Apply the cornstarch evenly, making sure it gets into the cuts to prevent the fish meat from sticking together.

Preparing fish batter with flour, cornstarch, and oil. Tips for coating fish evenly.

STEP 4

Prepare for Frying: First, coat the surface of the carp with a layer of dry cornstarch, then evenly coat it with the prepared batter.

Coat carp with cornstarch and batter before frying.

STEP 5

Fry the Carp: Pour plenty of oil into a pot. When the oil is 70% hot (about 180°C/350°F), hold the fish with both hands, bend it slightly, and fry the bottom first. Then, place the entire fish in the pot and spoon hot oil over it to shape it. Fry on medium heat until the skin is golden and crispy, then remove.

Fry carp by browning skin in hot oil, shaping the fish by spooning oil over it.

STEP 6

Mix the Sweet and Sour Sauce: Combine 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 4 tablespoons of vinegar, and 5 tablespoons of water. Stir well.

Tips:

①The sauce should be neither too thin nor too thick to ensure it coats the fish evenly for better flavor.

②You can add a bit of ketchup according to your personal taste.

Mix sweet and sour sauce ingredients for optimal fish flavor. Adjust consistency and add ketchup if desired.

STEP 7

Make the Sauce: Leave a bit of oil in the pot, sauté the green onions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then add the sweet and sour sauce, cornstarch mixture, and cooking oil. Simmer until the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat.

Make sweet and sour sauce: Sauté green onions, ginger, garlic, add sauce, simmer until thickened.

STEP 8

Serve: Pour the sauce over the fish, garnish with some shredded green onions, and it's ready to serve.

Serve by pouring sauce over fish, garnishing with shredded green onions.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Sweet and Sour Carp
  • Main Ingredients:3
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:1.1 kg
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 354 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):191 kcal
    52%
  • Protein:5.07 g
    254%
  • Fat:0.49 g Why gray?
    88%
  • Carbohydrates:42.85 g
    17%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 9%
    17 kcal
  • Fat: 2%
    4 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 89%
    170 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
1:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

6 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
NicholasOctober 10, 2024

Sweet and Sour Carp is attractive in color and taste, it is simply a delicious dish that brings back memories!
reply:
October 13, 2024
Thank you for your compliments! Making outstanding sweet and sour carp requires unique seasoning and techniques, I hope you always enjoy this delicious dish.
NatalieSeptember 26, 2024

My sweet and sour carp sauce is always too sweet, how should I adjust it to be more balanced?
reply:
September 28, 2024
You can reduce the amount of sugar moderately and add some vinegar or lemon juice to increase the acidity for a balanced flavor.
MatthewSeptember 12, 2024

My sweet and sour carp always comes out too dry fish, is there any way to keep the fish tender?
reply:
September 14, 2024
Try controlling the heat during cooking to avoid overfrying, or adding a little stock or chicken broth to keep the fish moist during cooking.
WilliamJuly 31, 2024

Why doesn't my fried fish hold up?
thomasJuly 18, 2024

Sweet and Sour Carp's recipe tutorial offers the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors while the carp is tender and delicious.
kikoMay 30, 2024

I plus my kids especially like sweet and sour carp, I followed the recipe and felt the flavor is very delicious and tasty, I love it!
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