Steamed Sole with Black Bean Sauce

One 1 1/4 pound sole, cleaned and gutted, with head and tail intact
1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Chinese dried black beans, dul see
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3/4 sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon Shao Hsing rice cooking wine
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon finely shredded ginger
1 scallion, finely shredded
1 tablespoon thin soy sauce

Thoroughly rinse the fish in cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt over the outside and into the cavity of the fish.

Rinse the black beans in several changes of cold water and drain them.

In a small bowl, mash beans, garlic, and sugar with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in sesame oil, rice wine, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Place fish in a 9 inch shallow heatproof bowl and spread black beans over fish on both sides and in cavity.

Bring water to a boil over high heat in a covered steamer large enough to fit the dish without touching the sides of the steamer. Carefully place dish into steamer, cover, and steam 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand, covered, 4 minutes. Test fish for doneness by poling the thickest part with a fork or chopstick; flesh should flake. If not, resteam for 1 to 2 minutes or until fish just flakes.

Carefully remove the dish from the steamer and pour off any liquid in the dish. In a small skillet, heat oil until hot but not smoking over high heat. Sprinkle ginger and scallion over fish. The oil will make a crackling sound as it hits the fish.

Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.