Vietnamese Cá Kho Tộ (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)

Name: Vietnamese Cá Kho Tộ (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 800 g Catfish fillets (skinless, boneless); 4 tbsp Granulated sugar; 6 tbsp Fish sauce; 120 ml Water; 2 large Shallots, minced; 4 cloves Garlic, minced; 5 cm Fresh ginger, thinly sliced or julienned; 1 tsp Freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbsp Cooking oil; 4 stalks Green onions, chopped (for garnish); 2 small Bird's eye chilies, sliced (optional, for garnish/heat)

Difficulty

medium

Time

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Discover the authentic taste of Vietnam with Cá Kho Tộ, a comforting caramelized fish dish simmered in a clay pot. This dish is renowned for its rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor profile, with the fish slowly absorbing all the delicious caramel sauce as it simmers. It's a deeply flavorful and comforting meal, perfectly served with steamed jasmine rice.

Steps

Prepare Fish

Cut the catfish fillets into 2-inch pieces. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.

Make Caramel Sauce

Heat cooking oil in a clay pot or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until it melts and turns a deep amber caramel color (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful not to burn it.

Sauté Aromatics

Quickly add minced shallots, garlic, and ginger to the caramel. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Simmer Fish

Carefully add the fish sauce and water to the pot (it will bubble vigorously). Bring to a simmer, then gently add the fish pieces. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.

Slow Cook

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the fish is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking. Gently turn the fish halfway through cooking.

Garnish and Serve

Garnish with chopped green onions and sliced chili (if using). Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 250g
Calories	180kcal	450kcal
Protein	15g	38g
Fat	10g	25g
Carbohydrate	8g	20g
Fiber	0.5g	1g
Sugar	6g	15g

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stewed

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main course

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Vietnamese Cá Kho Tộ (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Prepare Fish

Make Caramel Sauce

Sauté Aromatics

Simmer Fish

Slow Cook

Garnish and Serve

Extra Tips

► Don't rush the caramelization process; a deep amber color is key for the best flavor.

► Use a good quality fish sauce, as it's a primary flavor component of the dish.

► Serve immediately with plenty of hot jasmine rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Nutrition