Baked Thai Style Fish Food

OVEN BAKED THAI STYLE FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Spray a baking tray with spray oil.
• In a mixing bowl combine first 7 ingredients. Mix well.
• Divide into 8 equal round cakes.
• Coat with flour, then dip in egg and finally coat with the crumbs.
• Place cakes on prepared tray; chill for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile preheat oven to 190c.
• Spray cakes with oil and bake, turning once (spray again). They will take about 30 minutes in total to cook.

THAI ROASTED GREEN FISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment.
• In a food processor, whizz up the lime juice, cilantro, mint, fish sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, pepper, and oil.
• Cut 4 to 5 slits on each side of the fish, almost down to the bone.
• Divide the cilantro paste in half. Rub 1 portion of the paste all over fish, especially into the slits and the cavity of the fish. Reserve the other half for serving.
• Take a large piece of foil and form a loose ball. Stuff it into the cavity so that you can make the fish "sit" on the baking sheet, belly facing down, ridge of the fish's back facing the ceiling. It'll look as if the fish is swimming on the baking sheet!
• Bake until the eyes turn solid white and the flesh flakes easily, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the fish.
• Taste the leftover marinade, and add juice from the other half of the lime. Serve marinade on the side with the fish.

CRISPY WHOLE THAI FRIED FISH WITH GINGER TAMARIND SAUCE AND COCONUT-CILANTRO RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Special equipment: A large Dutch oven or deep wok, deep-fry thermometer and two 12-inch bamboo skewers
• Prepare the ginger tamarind sauce: In large saute pan over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup of the canola oil and allow to heat. Add the garlic, shallots and fresh ginger and saute until fragrant and the shallots are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the soy sauce, sugar, tamarind paste, fish sauce, sambal and 1/2 cup water. Stir well and cook until the mixture is slightly reduced and has a maple syrup-like consistency, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Preheat 4 to 5 inches of canola oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or deep wok. You need enough oil so the whole fish can be submerged.
• Prepare the fish: Make 3 diagonal slices into the flesh of one side of the snapper, cutting all the way to the bone and spacing the slices 2 inches apart. Repeat with the other side of the fish.
• Combine the cornstarch, rice flour, granulated garlic, ground ginger, salt and pepper in a large baking dish. Lightly dredge the fish all over with the seasoned flour, including inside the cuts. Shake off any excess flour, then form the fish into an "S" curve by threading two 12-inch bamboo skewers through the tail and body so it holds its wavy shape.
• Carefully place the fish into the hot oil so it is almost completely submerged. Fry the fish until deep golden and very crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. As it cooks, use a large metal spoon or ladle to carefully pour hot oil over any exposed part of the fish to ensure it cooks evenly. Carefully remove the fish from the oil and place on a wire rack to drain briefly. Season immediately with salt and lime juice. Carefully remove the skewers from the fish, and place it upright on a platter of Coconut-Cilantro Rice Pilaf. Pour the ginger tamarind sauce over the top. Garnish with the chilies and scallions.
• Rinse the rice by running it under cold water 2 or 3 times until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and ensures the rice comes out light and fluffy.
• Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the chili flakes and rice and stir well to coat the kernels evenly with oil. Add the coconut milk, salt, sugar and 1 cup water. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook until all the liquid has absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat, keep covered and allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes to steam. Before serving, add the cilantro and fluff with a fork. Yield: 4 to 6 servings

THAI-STYLE FISH BROTH WITH GREENS

Steps:

• Cook the noodles following pack instructions. Refresh in cold water and drain well.
• Put the stock in a large saucepan and stir in the curry paste, lime leaves, fish sauce and 250ml cold water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 mins.
• Cut the fish into roughly 3cm cubes and add to the pan. Return to a simmer, then cook for 2 mins uncovered.
• Stir in the noodles, prawns and pak choi, and simmer for 2-3 mins or until the fish and prawns are just cooked. Serve in bowls scattered with coriander.

EASY THAI POACHED FISH

Steps:

• Put first 7 ingredients in blender and process to a puree (use some of the broth if necessary).
• Add this puree to the rest of the broth in a wide heavy based pan (you will be poaching fish in this pan), bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 5 minutes.
• Taste now for seasoning, adding salt/soy if necessary.
• Optional Extra Step: Sear fish pieces in a separate very hot saute pan in some butter or oil--no more than 30 seconds each side (This adds color and flavor, but isn't strictly necessary).
• Add fish pieces to simmering (it should be bubbling when you add fish) liquid and poach on slightly lowered heat, turning once, about 5 to 8 minutes total (depends on type and thickness of fish and if you have seared it).
• Do not overcook!
• Remove fish and serve in a platter, with sauce poured over the fish.
• Sprinkle with garnishes.

THAI-STYLE STEAMED FISH

Steps:

• Nestle the fish fillets side by side on a large square of foil and scatter the ginger, garlic, chilli and lime zest over them. Drizzle the lime juice on top and then scatter the pieces of pak choi around and on top of the fish. Pour the soy sauce over the pak choi and loosely seal the foil to make a package, making sure you leave space at the top for the steam to circulate as the fish cooks.
• Steam for 15 minutes. (If you haven't got a steamer, put the parcel on a heatproof plate over a pan of gently simmering water, cover with a lid and steam.)