When I was little, I used to love eating canned sardines in tomato sauce. Dad did most of the cooking and he was never a good cook. This meant canned sardines were on frequent rotations. We simply reheat it in the microwave and have it with steamed white rice. On fancy days, we would reheat it on the stove-top with a sprinkle of green onions.
Fortunately, my palette has gotten more sophisticated. Now if I want fish with tomato sauce, I opt for fried fish with a sauce made from fresh tomatoes (Ca Chien Sot Ca Chua). I love the combination of crispy savory fish and sweet-yet-slightly-tart tomato sauce. However, sometimes I still find myself reaching for those canned sardines in tomato sauce at the supermarket. Somethings are just hard to change =)
Vietnamese Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce (Ca Chien Sot Ca Chua)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
Description
Crispy fried fish in fresh tomato sauce. Serve with steamed rice for wonderful taste of childhood.
Ingredients
- 2 large fillets of preferred fish (here I used salmon)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2–4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large shallot (slice thinly)
- 2 large garlic cloves (mince)
- 1 14–oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes (whole cherry or chopped tomatoes)
- Sliced green onions (optional)
Instructions
-
Season and Prep Fish:
Pat the fish fillets dry, then season both sides liberally with salt and pepper. Lightly coat the fish in corn starch, shaking off any excess. -
Pan-Fry Fish:
In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the fish on both sides until golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer the fried fish to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Discard most of the oil from the pan, leaving just a thin layer. -
Make the Tomato Sauce:
In the same pan, add the garlic and shallots, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the canned crushed tomatoes and water, and simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes. -
Season the Sauce:
Stir in the sugar and fish sauce, then add the fresh tomatoes. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the fresh tomatoes to soften slightly. -
Serve:
Pour the tomato sauce over the fried fish and garnish with sliced green onions, if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
