Spicy Sour Pickled Mustard Fish

Spicy Sour Pickled Mustard Fish is a popular dish found in Vietnamese restaurants in the USA.

Ingredients:

- Fish fillets (usually catfish or basa)

- Pickled vegetables (generally cucumbers and carrots)

- Mustard sauce (a mixture of mustard, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili pepper)

- Chili oil

- Lime wedges

Preparation:

1. The fish fillets are marinated in a sour sauce, often made from rice vinegar or lime juice.

2. The pickles are pickled in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and spices.

3. The fish and pickles are then tossed in a spicy mustard sauce.

4. The dish is often served with lime wedges for garnish.

Flavor and taste:

- Spicy: The dish gets its spiciness from the chili oil and chili peppers in the mustard sauce.

- Sour: The sourness comes from the vinegar or lime juice used in the marinade and pickling process.

- Tangy: The mustard sauce adds a tangy flavor to the dish.

- Salty: The fish and pickles are often seasoned with salt, giving the dish a salty flavor.

Texture:

- The fish is usually cooked until tender and slightly flaky.

- The pickled vegetables are crunchy and slightly sweet.

- The mustard sauce is thick and creamy.

Pairing suggestions:

- Crispy rice

- Grilled baguette

- Spicy cucumber salad

Tips:

- Be aware that this dish can be spicy.

- If you are sensitive to spicy food, you may want to request the dish with less chili oil or request that the chili pepper be removed.

- The fish is often served with bones. Be sure to remove them before eating.