Baked Asian Rockfish

 Ingredients:

For the Rockfish:

  • 4 rockfish fillets (about 6-8 ounces each)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Asian Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (or use 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Optional garnish: chopped green onions and sesame seeds

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven:

    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Prepare the Rockfish:

    • Pat the rockfish fillets dry with paper towels.
    • Season both sides of each fillet with salt and black pepper.

  3. Sear the Rockfish:

    • In an oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
    • Once the oil is hot, add the rockfish fillets, skin-side down (if they have skin).
    • Sear the fillets for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust.
    • If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the seared fillets to a baking dish.

  4. Prepare the Asian Sauce:

    • In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
    • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

  5. Thicken the Sauce:

    • In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until it forms a smooth slurry.
    • Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce and whisk constantly.
    • Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

  6. Pour Sauce Over Rockfish:

    • Pour the Asian sauce evenly over the seared rockfish fillets.

  7. Bake:

    • Place the skillet or baking dish with the rockfish and sauce in the preheated oven.
    • Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the rockfish flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.

  8. Garnish and Serve:

    • Remove the rockfish from the oven.
    • Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

  9. Serve:

    • Serve your Baked Asian Rockfish immediately, either over steamed rice or with your choice of side dishes.
    • Drizzle some of the sauce from the skillet over the fish before serving.

This dish is a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, with a touch of sesame and ginger. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the delicate taste of rockfish with an Asian twist.

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