Red Eyed Fish Baked with Ern Chao
My parents enjoyed raising us in Pulau Kerto at the Hua Hong Ice Factory (also rice mill). Dad would fish in the evening after work and would bring in quite a bit of fish and prawns. He also set up traps when the tide was low on the mud banks. Who would have thought that a Yenching University graduate would live such a humble rustic life in Sibu? He had the best of college and university life for someone from Sibu, Sarawak from 1932 to 1937. He had enjoyed junior college in Shanghai alongside his 3rd brother before WW2. Dad and 3rd Uncle were dapper in their western suits when studing in Shanghai. Grand dad would always mention that. Those were the yearswhen grandad made a lot of money from rubber.
When dad came home in 1937 he was obedient to Grand dad and took up management of the ice mill at Pulau Kerto. Fishing was the joy of his life and grand dad loved to eat fish. Dad could really throw the jala well (net)
One of the best fish he caught was the RED EYE a very valueable river fish which is quite rare in the 21st century. Most people have never eaten it. It was quite a common fish for us in the 1950's. Grandfather loved it when my mother cooked it - braised or baked with ern chao.
I dont have a recent photo of red fish at the moment.
Will look for one and show it..or may be even cook with with ern chao (red wine lees) for old time sake.
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