Cá Hấp Nước Mắm

Cá Hấp Nước Mắm is a traditional Vietnamese steamed fish dish infused with aromatic spices and savory fish sauce, creating a delightful balance of flavors. This low-carb dish is perfect for a healthy meal, showcasing the fresh taste of fish while remaining light and satisfying.

Cá Hấp Nước Mắm
30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Vietnamese
220 kcal

Ingredients

  • Whole fish (such as tilapia or sea bass) - 300 grams
  • Fish sauce - 3 tablespoons
  • Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
  • Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
  • Ginger - 1 tablespoon, julienned
  • Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
  • Red chili - 1, sliced (optional for heat)
  • Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Green onions - 2, chopped
  • Water - 500 milliliters

Steps

  1. Clean and gut the fish, then make diagonal slashes on both sides to allow for better flavor absorption.
  2. In a bowl, mix fish sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, ginger, black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro.
  3. Marinate the fish in the mixture for at least 10 minutes, ensuring the marinade gets into the slashes.
  4. Prepare a steaming setup by filling a pot with water and bringing it to a boil.
  5. Place the marinated fish on a heatproof plate, and sprinkle the remaining cilantro, chopped green onions, and sliced red chili on top.
  6. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and place the plate with the fish into the pot, covering it with a lid.
  7. Steam the fish for about 15-20 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  8. Carefully remove the plate from the pot and let it cool for a minute before serving.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Carbs: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 1300 mg
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

  • High in protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
  • Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets.

Tags

VietnameseLow CarbMain Dish