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Home-Style Dishes

Vinegar-Braised White Cod (Cu Liu Bai Xue Yu)

supports calcium absorption, light and nutritious everyday fish dish

By · Registered Nutritionist & TCM Practitioner

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
30 min
Makes
2 servings
Everyday Balance
Vinegar-Braised White Cod (Cu Liu Bai Xue Yu)

Why people make this dish

Cooking fish with vinegar is one of those clever old techniques that turns out to have a solid nutritional rationale: the mild acidity helps dissolve calcium from the fish bones into the cooking liquid, making more of it available to the body. Nourilo came across white cod at the morning fish stall and was reminded of a vinegar-braised silver cod dish he had enjoyed at a well-known restaurant — the restaurant version was on the sweet side, so he put together his own, lighter take at home. White cod (bai xue yu) is a deep-sea fish prized for its silky, delicate texture, which makes it ideal for a quick pan-braise where you do not want the flesh to toughen. The addition of cloud ear fungus and sweet peppers rounds out the colour and gives a pleasant contrast of textures.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is vinegar used in this braised cod recipe?

Cooking fish with vinegar is a traditional method: the mild acidity helps dissolve calcium from the fish bones into the cooking liquid, making more of it available to the body. This is the core rationale behind the dish.

What makes white cod a good choice for this quick braise?

White cod (bai xue yu) is a deep-sea fish prized for its silky, delicate texture, which makes it ideal for a quick pan-braise where you do not want the flesh to toughen.

How many servings does this recipe make, and how long does it take?

The recipe yields 2 servings. Preparation takes about 15 minutes and cooking takes another 15 minutes, for a total time of around 30 minutes.

When should the vinegar be added during cooking?

Add the vinegar toward the end of cooking, or just before you return the fish to the sauce. This preserves the fragrant aroma of the vinegar, which dissipates quickly with prolonged heat.

What role do cloud ear fungus and sweet peppers play in this dish?

The addition of cloud ear fungus and red and yellow sweet peppers rounds out the colour and gives a pleasant contrast of textures alongside the tender fish.

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