Zizhong Catfish

Zizhong Catfish

Zizhong Catfish is a protected geographical indication product.

　　　“Zizhong Qiuxi Catfish” is one of the most famous dishes in Sichuan cuisine, renowned worldwide, with the catfish catering industry generating an annual output value of over one billion yuan.

　　A national expert review meeting on the protection of the geographical indication product of Zizhong Catfish in Sichuan Province was held in Beijing. At the review meeting, the attending experts, in accordance with the “Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products” issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, reviewed and discussed the name, protected area, product quality characteristics, and the connection between product quality and local natural and cultural factors for the application to protect Zizhong Catfish from Zizhong County, Sichuan Province, as a geographical indication product. The attendees agreed that the proposed protected area for catfish submitted by Zizhong County is the authentic production region of Zizhong Catfish, possesses certain regional characteristics, and meets the requirements of the “Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products” issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

　　Ingredients: catfish, fresh red chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, celery, scallions, Pixian bean paste, cooking wine, salt, oil, soy sauce, chicken broth, garlic cloves, ginger

　　Method:

　　1. First coat the fish with pea starch as a binding slurry. Heat the wok with oil, and when the oil is about 70–80% hot, quickly fry the fish and then remove it.

　　2. Leave a little oil in the wok, let it cool to about 40–50% heat, then mince the ginger and Pixian bean paste, add them to the wok and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add chicken broth or other types of clear soup and bring to a boil.

　　3. Once the broth boils, add the fish pieces into the wok and simmer over medium heat for seven to ten minutes, stirring as little as possible.

　　4. A few minutes before removing from heat, add Sichuan peppercorns, celery, garlic cloves, and other seasonings into the wok. Thicken the sauce with water starch and reduce the liquid. After removing from heat, sprinkle with scallions and a bit of ground Sichuan pepper, then plate.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Zizhong Catfish covers the entire current administrative region of Zizhong County, Sichuan Province.