Lao-style Steamed Fish with Herbs

Ingredients

• 1 whole fish (such as tilapia or sea bass), cleaned and scaled 1 whole fish (such as tilapia or sea bass), cleaned and scaled
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 4 kaffir lime leaves 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 3 slices galangal 3 slices galangal
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red chili, sliced 1 red chili, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Steamed rice, for serving Steamed rice, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat a steamer over high heat.
2. 2.
   Make three diagonal cuts on each side of the fish.
3. 3.
   Stuff the fish cavity with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, garlic, and half of the sliced chili.
4. 4.
   Place the fish on a heatproof plate and steam for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, mix together fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and the remaining sliced chili to make the dipping sauce.
6. 6.
   Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the steamer and transfer it to a serving platter.
7. 7.
   Pour the dipping sauce over the fish and garnish with fresh cilantro.
8. 8.
   Serve the Lao-style Steamed Fish with Herbs with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — Make sure to bruise the lemongrass stalks by lightly pounding them with a rolling pin or the back of a knife to release their aromatic oils.
• Kaffir lime leaves — Tear the leaves slightly before using them to enhance their fragrance.
• Galangal — If you can't find fresh galangal, you can substitute it with ginger, although the flavor will be slightly different.
• Fish — Choose a fresh whole fish with clear eyes and shiny skin for the best results.
• Dipping sauce — Adjust the amount of chili according to your preferred level of spiciness.

Tips & Tricks

• To ensure the fish is cooked evenly, make sure the steamer is preheated before placing the fish inside.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, you can remove the seeds from the chili before slicing.
• For an extra burst of freshness, squeeze some lime juice over the fish just before serving.
• Experiment with different types of fish to find your favorite flavor combination.
• If you don't have a steamer, you can also use a large pot with a steaming rack.

Serving advice

Serve the Lao-style Steamed Fish with Herbs as the main course of a Lao-inspired meal. Accompany it with steamed rice and a side of fresh vegetables or a light salad.

Presentation advice

Place the steamed fish on a large platter and garnish it with fresh cilantro. The vibrant green herbs will add a pop of color to the dish. Serve the dipping sauce in a small bowl on the side for guests to drizzle over their portions.