Ca Kho To (Caramelized Catfish)
Tender catfish braised in a glossy caramel-soy reduction with garlic and chili. A Vietnamese classic that tastes like it simmered for hours but comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Total time
- 28 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 285
- Protein
- 32g
Ingredients
- 1 lb catfish fillets
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 whole bird's eye chili, halved lengthwise
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- 1
Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels, pressing gently to remove surface moisture—this helps them brown better.
- 2
Mince the 4 garlic cloves until the pieces are smaller than a grain of rice, about the size of pencil-tip dots.
- 3
Place the 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil, and heat until it shimmers and slides quickly when you tilt the pan, about 90 seconds.
- 4
Lay the catfish fillets skin-side down in the hot oil and cook without moving them for 3 minutes, until the bottoms are light golden brown.
- 5
Flip each fillet carefully with a fish spatula and cook the other side for 2 minutes until light golden.
- 6
Push the fillets to the sides of the skillet, creating an empty center space about 3 inches across.
- 7
Pour 2 tablespoons of sugar into the center space and stir it constantly with a wooden spoon for 45 seconds until it turns the color of honey and smells caramel-like.
- 8
Add the minced garlic to the caramel, stir for 15 seconds until fragrant, then immediately pour in 3 tablespoons of fish sauce and 0.5 cup of water.
- 9
Nestle the halved chili into the liquid, then cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low.
- 10
Simmer covered for 8 minutes, then remove the lid and cook uncovered for 2 more minutes until the sauce reduces to a glossy coating that clings to the fish.
- 11
Turn off the heat and let the skillet rest for 2 minutes so the fish firms up slightly.
- 12
Transfer each catfish fillet to a plate with tongs, then spoon the caramel sauce and garlic over the top.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch skillet with lid
- fish spatula or wide metal spatula
- wooden spoon
- paper towels
- knife and cutting board
- tongs
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
CookSnap is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.
