Chinese confusion

This Morning I got up extra early to go grocery shopping for a tasting I'm doing (back story; I took a job to open an upscale Cantonese restaurant, the problem is that I don't know Chinese food all that well. Yikes!!!
So I'm a an Asian store Uwajimaya and trying to shop for a list of ingredients in a store where most of the products and labels are in a language that you know nothing about is an overwhelming and confusing task. Who knew that there are hundreds of different types of soy sauce? Asking the employees is also difficult because of the language barrier but at the end of the shopping experience I feel that I'm more understanding of the importance of respect and patience. I even found Pickled Mustard Greens!! Well moral of the story, be adventurous and take on something that is new to you and learn it, you will be a more well rounded cook!

Recipe of the day: Soup Name:  Papaya Fish Soup

 

Traditional Chinese Name:  木瓜魚湯 (mù gua yú tāng)

 

Introduction:

 

This neutral soup is extremely rich in carotenes, antioxidants and vitamin C.  It is the soup to make for women who are going through confinement and is said to aid in production of milk for breastfeeding women.  The soup itself is very sweet and high nutritious.  It is also ideal for babies and children. * (I know it's more information than you wanted to know but the more you know the better!)

 

What Ingredients are required?

4 medium-sized *golden threadfin bream (or any other appropriate substitute)
1 large papaya (use green papaya if used for increasing milk in breastfeeding)
5-6 pieces of dried scallop
3 large dried dates
2 slices of fresh ginger
2 L of water
1 teaspoon of salt (to marinate the fish)
1 teaspoon of oil (to fry the fish)

How do I prepare it?

1. After the fish is cleaned, wipe the fish with paper towels or a cloth to remove excess water
2. Cover the fish with a small amount of salt (inside and out)
3. Let it sit for an hour and then drain any water
4. Peel and cut the papaya into large edible cubes
5. Start boiling your soup water
6. In a pan, add oil and fry the ginger with the fish on low-medium heat (until the fish is completely cooked and the skin is a slightly browned)
7. Put the fish into a *soup bag and add to water
8. Add papaya and ginger
9. Boil for at least an hour
   
   
   
   
   *golden threadfin bream: What is this?
   • A type of fish that is found in the Western Pacific
   • The Chinese name is directly translated as “Red Shirt Fish” which means the fish is colored red
   • It is a popular type of fish found in the East and South China Sea
   • They reach maturity in less than 15 months and do not grow very large in size, reaching 2 feet in length at most
   • Since they can be purchased relatively small in size, a whole batch is ideal for soup
     
     
     
     
     *soup bag What is this?
     • This is a mesh polyester bag that is used for boiling soups
     • It is usually no bigger than a piece of A4 paper in area
     • The contents to put inside usually disintegrate in the soup and therefore the bag keeps it together (like fish)
     • It is an efficient separator of soup and ingredients
     • You can directly dispose of the unedible ingredients in the bag
     • Do not reuse the bag