Recipe: The best and most simple way to cook fish in Japan, "ni-tu-ke". Fish boiled in savoury Japanese sauce. It only takes 10 minutes!

"Ni-tu-ke" (煮付け) is a way of cooking in Japan which involves boiling the ingredient in soy sauce and sugar. Fish is very expensive in the US compared to Japan but I've found that Trader Joe's sells cheap tilapia (around $6 for 3 generous pieces). It may not be the best fish but it's a wonderful alternative for those on a budget. 

Grilling or baking the fish in butter may sound easy but sometimes could end up being burnt and tough. This recipe involves boiling the fish in a simple savoury sauce. It's easy, takes only 10 minutes and you'll end up with a tasty traditional Japanese dish. Better than going to a Japanese restaurant!  Serve with white rice, miso soup and veggies, like always.

Here, I'll also be introducing a new technique called "otoshi-buta" (落とし蓋) which means to put a lid directly onto the food or deep into the pan. 

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pieces of fish (preferably with white meat. I used Trader Joe's tilapia)
  
  

Sauce (start with this, add more or less depending on how sweet/savoury you like your sauce)

• 3 - 4 tbsp Japanese soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 1 - 2 tbsp of sugar (depending on how sweet you like your fish)
• 1/4 cup Japanese sake 

Steps:

1. Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together and heat in a pan until it starts boiling. 
2. Once the sauce starts boiling, put the fish into the pan and turn the heat to LOW. Get some aluminum foil and cover the fish/broth directly. We call this technique "otoshi-buta" which means "fallen lid". We want the lid to be placed deeply inside the pot, directly on the food. This will help the sauce get soaked up easier. (Photograph below)
   
3. Cook the fish in the pan for 7 - 10 minutes on LOW. 
4. After 7-10 minutes, take off the lid and use a spoon to pour the sauce onto the surface of the fish which was not soaked in the sauce. Be careful not to cook the fish any longer as the sauce may get too thick and strong. 
5. Serve with rice and other side dishes. I often use the left over sauce to cook vegetables such as broccoli and zucchini!