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Flavorful Ca Kho To Recipe Easy Authentic Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot

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An easy and authentic Vietnamese caramelized fish dish cooked in a clay pot, featuring a rich, sweet-savory caramel sauce coating tender, flaky fish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (700g) firm, fatty fish like catfish or salmon
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 small shallots, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil (neutral oil like canola or vegetable)
  • 1 small red chili, sliced (optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse the fish fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 2-inch (5 cm) chunks.
  2. In your clay pot or heavy-bottomed pan, heat 2 tablespoons of sugar over medium heat. Watch carefully as it melts and turns a deep amber color (about 5-7 minutes). Do not stir once it starts melting; gently swirl the pan to mix.
  3. Carefully add 2 tablespoons of oil to the caramel (it may bubble), then toss in shallots and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  4. Place the fish pieces into the pot carefully. Pour in fish sauce, cracked black pepper, and water. Add sliced chili if using. Gently spoon some of the caramel sauce over the fish to coat it well.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer gently for about 25-30 minutes. Occasionally spoon the sauce over the fish to keep it moist and evenly caramelized.
  6. Check for doneness: the fish should be tender and flaky, and the sauce thickened into a sticky glaze. If the sauce is too thin, uncover and simmer a few extra minutes to reduce.
  7. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top. Serve hot, ideally with steamed jasmine rice.

Notes

Keep the heat low during simmering to avoid burning the caramel. If the sauce starts to smoke or taste bitter, turn down the heat immediately. Use firm fish to prevent it from falling apart. Season the clay pot before use by soaking in water for a few hours and drying slowly to prevent cracks. For a vegetarian version, substitute fish with firm tofu cubes and increase simmer time slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: Ca Kho To, caramelized fish, Vietnamese recipe, clay pot fish, easy fish recipe, caramel sauce, authentic Vietnamese, seafood, dinner, quick recipe

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