Chinese cuisine culture is vast and profound, whether it’s a grand banquet or a daily family feast, the table is filled with a variety of delicious dishes. Even when alone, a delicate small dish can bring warmth and comfort. Chengdu, known as the land of abundance, offers a wide variety of fish dishes, among which crucian carp is a common type with numerous cooking methods. Next, let’s share the simple and delicious process of making crucian carp soup.
When purchasing fresh live crucian carp, you can ask the store to help with initial processing, removing scales and internal organs. After returning home, carefully wash them. Then, prepare sweet water radish, peel and shred it; slice or crush the ginger; and cut the white part of the scallion into large sections for later use.
First, heat oil in a pan, and when the oil is moderately hot, gently slide the crucian carp into the pan along the edges, and fry on low heat until both sides are golden brown, then set aside. Heat vegetable oil in the pan, add sliced ginger to sauté until fragrant, then add the fried crucian carp and drizzle with cooking wine. Pour in enough boiling water, transfer the ingredients to a clay pot, add the scallion sections, and bring to a boil over high heat.
After about half an hour, the crucian carp soup turns into an enticing milky white color. Then add the radish shreds, simmer over medium heat for another 15 minutes. Finally, adjust the taste with salt, chicken powder, and a bit of pepper for seasoning, and a pot of delicious crucian carp soup is ready.
Crucian carp is a well-rounded nutritious food, rich in carbohydrates but low in fat, with abundant proteins, various vitamins, and essential nutrients for the human body. Its meat is tender, not greasy, slightly sweet, and consuming crucian carp regularly not only promotes health but also helps in weight control, blood pressure reduction, and contributes to longevity. For postpartum women, crucian carp is not only a nourishing delicacy but also aids in promoting breast milk secretion, benefiting the healthy growth of infants.
