Description
Fried Dace with Stir-fried Greens is a classic Cantonese dish that combines fermented black beans and crispy fried dace with fresh Chinese leafy greens like AA Choy. This quick stir-fry brings together savory, salty, and aromatic flavors that are perfect for a complete meal. With just 25 minutes from prep to plate, this simple yet delicious dish highlights a beloved Cantonese ingredient for a satisfying vegetable stir-fry that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound AA Choy or another Chinese leafy green of your choice
- 1 can fried dace with fermented black beans
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (canola, avocado, or vegetable oil)
- 3 cloves garlic (chopped, about 1 tablespoon)
- ⅛ teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- Separate the leaves from the stems of the AA Choy, keeping the stems for texture. Thoroughly wash the greens by soaking them in a large basin of water, agitating them to remove any dirt. Repeat 1-2 times and shake off the excess water. Cut the greens into 3- to 4-inch pieces and set aside in a colander.
- Open the can of fried dace with fermented black beans, and pour everything (beans and oil) onto a plate. Shred the dace into 2- to 3-inch pieces using your hands or a fork. Set aside.
- Heat a wok over high heat until it starts to smoke. Spread the oil around the perimeter of the wok to coat the surface. Add the garlic, followed by the leafy greens. Stir-fry the garlic with the greens, ensuring it does not stick to the bottom of the wok.
- Once the garlic is well-mixed with the greens, gather the vegetables in the middle of the wok and cover. Let it cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove the cover and add sugar and white pepper. Stir the greens around the wok’s sides and quickly add the fried dace with fermented black beans and oil. Toss everything to combine and warm the dace through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary (though the dace tends to be salty). Serve immediately!
Notes
- AA Choy is a common leafy green in Cantonese cuisine, but you can substitute it with other Chinese greens like bok choy or gai lan if unavailable.
- The dish is naturally quite salty due to the fermented black beans and dace, so be cautious when adding salt.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or as a side dish to a larger meal.
- If you can’t find fried dace with fermented black beans, you may try using another type of preserved fish or seafood in its place, though the flavor may differ.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg