Filipino Fish Stew (Paksiw na Isda sa Gata)

Fish steaks cooked in coconut milk and vinegar

Prep Time15

Cook Time5 30

Total Time5 45

Course: Fish Recipe

Cuisine: Filipino Recipe

Keyword: fish stew, gata, paksiw

Servings: people

Calories: 6693kcal

Author: Vanjo Merano

Rub the coarse sea salt on the fish steaks and set aside. (see notes below)
3 tablespoons coarse sea salt, 4 lbs. fish steaks
Heat ¼ cup cooking oil. Fry the eggplants for 1 ½ minutes per side. Remove the eggplants from the pan. Set it aside.
1 cup cooking oil, 2 Chinese eggplants
Pour the remaining cooking oil into the pan and then heat it up.
1 cup cooking oil
Fry one side of the fish steaks until it browns. Do the same on the opposite side. Remove the fried fish. Set aside.
4 lbs. fish steaks
Scoop out the oil in the pan until the amount gets close to around 3 tablespoons. Heat it up and then sauté the onion for 1 minute.
Add the garlic and ginger. Continue sautéing for 1 ½ minutes.
3 cloves garlic, 1 thumb ginger
Arrange the fried fish steaks on the pan.
Pour the coconut milk and then distribute the green and Thai chili peppers on the pan. Add ground black pepper. (see notes below)
4 cups coconut milk, 2 long green peppers, 5 Thai chili pepper
Cover the pan. Let the mixture boil. Simmer for 4 minutes.
Pour the vinegar. Cover the pan, let the mixture boil.
1 cup white vinegar
Simmer until reduces close to half.
Add the fried eggplants.
Season with fish sauce and Maggi Magic Sarap.
Fish sauce and ground black pepper to taste, 8 grams Maggi Magic Sarap
Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with rice.
Share and enjoy!

Coarse Sea Salt - Its larger crystals bring out the natural flavor of the fish. When rubbed onto the fish steaks before cooking, it seasons the surface and helps maintain the fish's firmness during the frying and simmering process.
Spiciness Level - If you prefer a non-spicy version of this dish, avoid slicing the long green peppers or Thai chili peppers. You can choose to skip all the peppers or include only one type. Long green peppers, however, add a distinct aroma and flavor. Removing them will slightly alter the overall taste and fragrance of the dish, but it will still remain enjoyable.