07/10/2026
Sweet & Sour Fish (Escabeche) 🐟🥕🫑
Ingredients:
* 4 fish steaks (milkfish, salmon, king fish, or snapper)
* Salt and black pepper, to taste
* 1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)
* Oil for frying
For the Sauce:
* 2 tbsp cooking oil
* 6 cloves garlic, whole
* 1 large onion, sliced
* 1 medium carrot, sliced into strips
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, sliced
* 1 cup tomato sauce
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* 1/3 cup white vinegar
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 cup water or fish stock
* 2 tbsp soy sauce
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
* 1/2 cup green olives
* 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (optional, for a thicker sauce)
Instructions:
1. Season the fish with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 minutes.
2. Lightly coat each fish steak with cornstarch.
3. Heat oil and fry the fish until golden and crispy on both sides. Set aside.
4. In another pan, sauté the whole garlic until lightly golden, then add the onions, carrots, and bell peppers. Cook for 3–4 minutes.
5. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, water, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
6. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Add the olives. If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for another minute.
8. Carefully return the fried fish to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top.
9. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, just until the fish is coated with the flavorful sauce.
10. Serve hot with steamed white rice.
Tips:
* The whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, olives, and black peppercorns are signature ingredients that match the dish in your photo.
* For the glossy restaurant-style finish, add 1 tablespoon of butter just before serving.
* Let the fish sit in the sauce for 10–15 minutes before serving so it absorbs more flavor.
🐟🍅🥕