{"id":"ca_kho_to_25a6eb6001","slug":"ca-kho-to-vietnamese-caramelized-fish-in-a-clay-pot","title":"Cá Kho Tộ (Vietnamese Caramelized Fish in a Clay Pot)","description":"A quintessential Vietnamese comfort dish featuring thick fish steaks braised in a savory, sweet, and peppery caramel sauce, traditionally prepared in a clay pot for deep flavor development.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"600g catfish steaks (or snakehead fish)","name":"Catfish","quantity":600,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.3,"usUnit":"lb","form":"steaks","notes":"Can substitute with salmon or mackerel","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"100g pork belly, sliced into small strips","name":"Pork belly","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sliced","notes":"provides essential fat for the sauce","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 tablespoons fish sauce","name":"Fish Sauce","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"high quality Vietnamese fish sauce preferred","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 tablespoons granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":38,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"for caramelizing","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"250ml coconut water","name":"Coconut Water","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"fresh is best","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"3 shallots, minced","name":"Shallots","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"4 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 bird's eye chilies","name":"Bird's Eye Chili","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 teaspoon black pepper","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"freshly cracked is best","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 green onions, chopped","name":"Green onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"for garnish","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tablespoon cooking oil","name":"Cooking Oil","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"neutral oil like canola or vegetable","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a bowl, marinate the fish steaks with 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, half of the minced shallots, half of the minced garlic, and the black pepper. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes.","group":"Preparation","title":"In a bowl, marinate the fish steaks","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Place the clay pot (or saucepan) over medium heat. Add the cooking oil and sugar. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and turns into a dark amber caramel.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the clay pot","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the pork belly strips to the caramel. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the pork is slightly browned and coated in caramel.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the pork belly strips","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the remaining shallots and garlic to the pot. Sauté until fragrant. Carefully place the fish steaks into the pot in a single layer.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the remaining shallots and garlic","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Pour in the coconut water, the remaining 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, and the bird's eye chilies. The liquid should almost cover the fish.","group":"Cooking","title":"Pour in the coconut water, the remaining 2 tablespoons of fish sauce","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to a thick, dark glaze. Occasionally spoon the sauce over the fish to ensure even color.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring to a boil, then reduce heat","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Garnish with chopped green onions and an extra sprinkle of black pepper before serving.","group":"Serving","title":"Garnish with chopped green onions and an extra sprinkle of black pepper…","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Using a clay pot is traditional as it retains heat and helps thicken the sauce into a glaze, but a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven works too. The pork belly is essential as it provides the fat necessary to balance the lean fish.","cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Vietnamese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["braise"],"equipment":["clay pot","heavy-bottomed saucepan","mixing bowl"],"diet":["dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["fish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Best served with steamed white rice and fresh cucumber slices."},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The fish can be marinated up to 4 hours in advance in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the glaze.","reheatingNotes":"Avoid microwaving at high power as it may toughen the fish."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fca_kho_to_25a6eb6001%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d660420a-30f4-405d-a9a7-48e599648533","imageAlt":"Cá Kho Tộ (Vietnamese Caramelized Fish in a Clay Pot) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["vietnamese","braised-fish","caramel-sauce","clay-pot","savory","sweet","comfort-food","southeast-asian"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Cá Kho Tộ (Vietnamese Caramelized Fish in a Clay Pot)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T20:49:46.894Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T20:49:46.894Z","related":[{"id":"mie_goreng_589c97c20a","slug":"authentic-mie-goreng","title":"Authentic Mie Goreng","description":"A classic Indonesian street food dish featuring savory stir-fried egg noodles tossed with a sweet and salty glaze, crisp vegetables, and a mix of proteins.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Indonesian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmie_goreng_589c97c20a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8a50402c-7fbe-4b90-9e82-da20e063190a","imageAlt":"Authentic Mie Goreng — recipe cover","tags":["indonesian","street food","noodles","savory","quick meal"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":15,"stepCount":7},{"id":"banh_mi_f517f98aec","slug":"banh-mi-vietnamese-sandwich","title":"Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich)","description":"A quintessential Vietnamese street food featuring a crusty baguette filled with savory pork, creamy pâté, crisp pickled vegetables, and aromatic fresh herbs.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Vietnamese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbanh_mi_f517f98aec%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95d748db-c3ec-4f86-97b2-405f15d867a1","imageAlt":"Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich) — recipe cover","tags":["vietnamese","sandwich","street food","banh mi","quick meal","spicy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_b079757101","slug":"khao-tom-thai-rice-soup","title":"Khao Tom (Thai Rice Soup)","description":"A comforting and aromatic Southeast Asian breakfast staple featuring tender rice in a savory broth with seasoned pork meatballs and crispy fried garlic.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Thai"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_b079757101%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=20d1fc02-f00d-4b7f-b686-cbc3f7f1f067","imageAlt":"Khao Tom (Thai Rice Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["thai","breakfast","rice soup","pork meatballs","comfort food","savory"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":6}]}