Fresh Frozen Large Yellow Croaker

A large yellow croaker, frozen whole at its freshest. The flesh is plump and firm, breaking into tender snow-white flakes once cooked, with a clean, mild fragrance instead of the heavy fishy note that older fish carry.

It is a forgiving fish to cook. Steaming keeps the texture delicate, braising lets the flesh take on a light sauce without falling apart, and simmering it with pickled greens is the pairing it is best known for — the gentle sourness lifts the sweetness of the fish.

Keep it frozen until you are ready to cook, then thaw slowly in the refrigerator. Hot-water defrosting loosens the flesh and washes out the flavour.

• Plump, firm body that breaks into tender snow-white flakes
• Clean and mild, with none of the muddy note older fish pick up
• Steams plain, braises in a light sauce, or simmers with pickled greens
• Frozen whole and packed so the flesh keeps its shape on the way home