Nian Nian Nyu Wee (Steamed Bass with Garlic Brown Bean Sauce)

Ingredients

• 10 cloves garlic
• 1 (1") piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• ¹⁄₂ small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• ¹⁄₄ cup peanut oil
• 5 tbsp. sugar
• 3 tbsp. brown bean sauce, such as Koon Chun brand
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tbsp. sambal oelek (red chili paste)
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tbsp. shaoxing jiu (Chinese rice wine)
• 1 tbsp. oyster sauce
• 1 (12–14 oz.) whole sea bass, cleaned and dried
• 2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
• 8 sprigs cilantro
• 2 scallions, julienned
• 1 small carrot, julienned