Cooking is something I genuinely love doing, and one meal among others I love to prepare is white rice with steamed vegetable sauce and fresh fish, not catfish. It is a simple meal, but for me it feels comforting, and satisfying. I enjoy cooking a lot because there is no much stress; it's just fresh ingredients and a little patience.
My experience with this dish is that it always fills me with excitement, calmness and enjoyment. I love those quiet moments of washing rice, slicing fresh vegetables, and marinating the fish just right. The vegetable sauce is my favorite part of the cooking because of how colorful and fresh it always looks. I usually use carrots, pumpkin leaves, green beans, bell peppers, and cabbage, and occasionally I add sweet corn just to spice it up. I fry them lightly so they can keep their natural taste, crunch sound, and nutrients.
You see, fresh fish is what brings everything together. I prefer fish like croaker, tilapia, tuna, and mackerel because they have a unique taste and cook differently. I do like to grill them or, at times, lightly fry them; the fish adds richness to the meal without making it heavy. Likewise, I cook the white rice plain with a pinch of salt. For the sauce, I sauté onions in a little oil. Sometimes the oil I use in frying fish or sesame oil with soy sauce may be the light or dark one. I add the vegetables, light seasoning, and a splash of stock. The pumpkin comes last so it won't overcook, then I let everything steam briefly. Everything stays fresh and yummy.
One powerful ingredient that makes this dish special is my half-done onions. Onions have this natural sweetness that it adds to the veggies without overpowering them. When cooked gently, it brings out that rich flavor that makes the meal delicious.
This meal reflects why I love cooking simple food: the fresh flavors and a sense of peace in every bite.
Images is mine.
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