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Caramelized Catfish

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PREP TIME
15 min
COOKING TIME
25 min
TOTAL TIME
40 min
SERVINGS
4 servings
Dinner Vietnamese
Caramelized Catfish
Ingredients
  • 2/3 cup water, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 medium shallots, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 2 pounds catfish fillets
  • 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
1
Combine 1/3 cup of liquid from the tap with fish sauce in a small container. Combine minced shallots, crushed garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in another separate bowl.
2
Heat 1/3 cup of sugar dissolved in 1/3 cup of liquid from the tap in a large cooking vessel over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar turns a deep golden color, 4 to 6 minutes. Gently stir in the fish sauce mixture and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
3
Stir in the shallot mixture and cook until the shallots become soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add catfish fillets, cover the cooking vessel, and cook until the fish breaks apart easily with a fork, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the catfish to a large serving plate, and cover it with a lid to keep warm.
4
Increase the heat to high and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Stir in fresh lime juice and add any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the sauce has reduced, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the sauce over the catfish and garnish with chopped cilantro and green onion