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Best Easy Suan Cai Yu Recipe

Name: Best Easy Suan Cai Yu Recipe
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 350 g
Ingredients: white fish fillets (such as tilapia or cod) 24 oz; suan cai (Chinese pickled mustard greens) 2 cups; soybean sprouts 1 cup; firm tofu 8 oz; scallions 2 pieces; ginger 2 inches; egg white 1 piece; chili oil 2 tbsp; Sichuan peppercorns 1 tsp; light soy sauce 1 tbsp; Shaoxing wine 1 tbsp; salt 1 tsp; white pepper 0.5 tsp; chicken broth 4 cups

Suan cai yu features tender fish fillets in a tangy, pickled cabbage broth. A high protein, fresh family dish with comforting sour flavors.

Cook 45 min Difficulty NORMAL 290 kcal

#high protein #diabetic friendly

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

white fish fillets (such as tilapia or cod) 24 oz
suan cai (Chinese pickled mustard greens) 2 cups
soybean sprouts 1 cup
firm tofu 8 oz
scallions 2 pieces
ginger 2 inches
egg white 1 piece

Seasonings/Sauce

chili oil 2 tbsp
Sichuan peppercorns 1 tsp
light soy sauce 1 tbsp
Shaoxing wine 1 tbsp
salt 1 tsp
white pepper 0.5 tsp
chicken broth 4 cups

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 13 g 18%

Protein 33 g 46%

Fat 10 g 36%

Serving size 350g

Cooking steps

1

Slice fish fillets on a bias into thin pieces and marinate with egg white, Shaoxing wine, half the salt, and white pepper for 15 minutes.
2

Heat 1 tbsp chili oil in a large pot on medium and add Sichuan peppercorns; sauté until fragrant, then add ginger slices and chopped scallions (reserve some for garnish).
3

Add suan cai to the pot and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes to release aroma, then add soybean sprouts and stir for another minute.
4

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium and simmer for 8 minutes, then add tofu cubes. Season with soy sauce and remaining salt.
5

Lower heat to gentle simmer. Drop in marinated fish fillets one by one; cook until just opaque and tender (about 2–3 minutes, avoid vigorous boiling to prevent breaking the fillets).
6

Drizzle with remaining chili oil, garnish with fresh scallions, and serve immediately in a large bowl to preserve heat and aroma.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this suan cai yu recipe?

The heart of this dish is the combination of white fish fillets and suan cai (Chinese pickled mustard greens). The fish provides tenderness and high-quality protein, while the suan cai gives the broth its distinctive tangy, savory flavor.

Q. How should I control the heat when cooking the fish to keep it tender?

After marinating, add the fish to the broth when it has reduced to a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Cooking at lower heat for just 2–3 minutes ensures the fillets stay silky and moist instead of breaking apart or becoming tough.

Q. How can I prevent the fish from falling apart during cooking?

Slice the fish diagonally for larger, tender pieces and marinate with egg white and Shaoxing wine. Adding the pieces one by one to a gently simmering broth instead of boiling will help keep the fillets intact and smooth.

Q. How many calories and protein does each serving provide?

Each 350g serving of this recipe contains about 290 kcal, with 33g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 10g fat, making it a high-protein, relatively balanced dish.

Best Easy Suan Cai Yu Recipe

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