# 我家草鱼从不红烧，加一块豆腐，不加一滴水，上桌连汤汁都不剩！

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80L_DDXSsDE
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/80L_DDXSsDE
Generated: 2026-01-25T06:04:00.838+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The video presents a detailed tutorial for making a savory, non-fried braised grass carp (grass carp stewed with tofu) cooked entirely in liquid without adding any water, resulting in flavorful, tender fish and tofu that absorbs the rich sauce.

**Key Points:**
- The dish uses a four-jin (approx. 2kg) grass carp, which is cleaned, scaled, and scored deeply without cutting through the bone.
- The fish is seasoned with fermented soybean paste (yellow bean paste), scallions, ginger, two spoonfuls of light soy sauce, two spoonfuls of cooking wine, and a little salt.
- The tofu is blanched in boiling water with salt for two minutes to remove the raw bean smell before being added to the stew.
- The main cooking liquid is one can of beer, poured over the fish and aromatics until it almost covers the fish.
- The stew simmers first on high heat to boil, then on medium heat for ten minutes before adding the tofu.
- After adding the tofu, the dish simmers for another ten minutes on high heat to reduce the sauce until thick.
- The final dish is praised for its fresh, tender, non-greasy fish and flavorful tofu that has absorbed the rich sauce.

![Screenshot at 00:44: The prepared grass carp, scored deeply into segments but kept whole, is arranged in a circular pattern inside a blue and white ceramic bowl, ready for seasoning and cooking.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/80L_DDXSsDE/00-00-44.jpg)

**Context:** This cooking tutorial demonstrates a specific method for preparing Chinese braised fish, focusing on utilizing beer instead of water for braising the main ingredient, a grass carp. The preparation involves meticulous cleaning and scoring of the fish, followed by layering it with aromatics and seasoning before slow-cooking it with tofu in a clay pot until the sauce is reduced and intensely flavorful.

## Detailed Analysis

The video guides viewers through making a clay pot braised grass carp with tofu, notable for not using any added water. The process begins with acquiring a four-jin grass carp, which is cleaned and then scored deeply across the body segments, ensuring the knife cuts deeply without severing the backbone. After trimming the fins with scissors, the cook removes the bloodline (yu xian xian) located near the cut marks. Next, aromatics are prepared: red onion is chopped into chunks, and ginger is julienned. These are placed in a clay pot, followed by the seasoned fish arranged in a circle. The seasoning paste includes fermented soybean paste (huang dou jiang), scallions, ginger, two spoonfuls of light soy sauce, two spoonfuls of cooking wine, and a little salt, all mixed into the fish. Separately, firm tofu is cut into thick pieces and blanched in salted boiling water for two minutes to eliminate the raw bean flavor. Once the fish is seasoned and placed in the pot, one can of beer is poured over it, ensuring the liquid almost covers the fish; an additional spoonful of dark soy sauce is added for color. The pot is covered, brought to a boil over high heat, then simmered on medium heat for ten minutes. The blanched tofu is then added, the dish is briefly rearranged, and it is covered again to simmer for another ten minutes. Finally, the lid is removed, the heat is turned to high for two minutes to reduce the sauce, and fresh chili slices and cilantro are added as garnish. The finished dish yields incredibly fresh, tender, non-greasy fish and tofu saturated with rich sauce.

### Fish Preparation

- Acquired a four-jin grass carp
- Trimmed fins using scissors
- Removed bloodline near cuts
- Scored fish deeply without cutting through the bone

### Seasoning and Marination

- Seasoned with fermented soybean paste, scallions, ginger, light soy sauce (2 spoons), cooking wine (2 spoons), and salt
- The seasoned fish is arranged in a ring in the clay pot

### Tofu Preparation

- Firm tofu cut into thick blocks
- Blanched in salted boiling water for 2 minutes to remove the raw bean smell

### Braising Process

- Added one can of beer to cover the fish, plus dark soy sauce for color
- Brought to a boil on high heat, then simmered for 10 minutes on medium heat
- Added blanched tofu and simmered for another 10 minutes

### Finishing Touches

- Increased heat to reduce the sauce for 2 minutes
- Garnished with millet peppers (small red chilies) and cilantro
- Resulting fish is tender, non-greasy, and the tofu absorbs the flavorful sauce

![Screenshot at 00:07: The cook uses scissors to trim the dorsal and anal fins from the grass carp.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/80L_DDXSsDE/00-00-07.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:19: The cook points out the small white spot \(fish bloodline\) exposed by the initial incision near the head.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/80L_DDXSsDE/00-00-19.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:35: The grass carp is shown standing upright, with deep, even cuts made approximately three centimeters apart, forming a ring shape.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/80L_DDXSsDE/00-00-35.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:40: Tofu cubes are added to boiling water containing a spoonful of salt to pre-cook and remove the raw bean flavor.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/80L_DDXSsDE/00-01-40.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:35: The final dish is revealed after simmering, showcasing the fish pieces nested among the tofu cubes, garnished with chili and herbs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/80L_DDXSsDE/00-02-35.jpg)