Chilli Lime Fish

Serves: 2

Pan-seared chunks of white fish are coated in a syrupy, spicy lime sauce in this dish based on pla tort sahm rot, a traditional Thai street stall favourite.

Ingredients

Fish:
330g  thin white fish fillets (~1cm thick) , skinless, cut into 6cm (or so) squares pieces
1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
1/4 cup rice flour or ordinary flour (Note 2)
2 tbsp canola oil

Sauce:
2 tsp sesame oil
2 garlic cloves , finely minced with a knife 
2 tsp ginger , finely minced with a knife 
1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes 
2 tbsp sriracha 
2 tsp light soy sauce or fish sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp lime juice

Garnishes (optional):
2 tbsp coriander/cilantro leaves
1 tbsp large red chilli , finely sliced
Lime wedges

Method

  • Dust fish – Sprinkle with salt, dust with rice flour, shake off excess.
  • Cook fish – In a non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook the fish until golden on each side then remove to a plate.
  • Fish cooking times – Thin fillets 1 cm thick: 1 1/2 minutes each side; thicker fillets 1.5 – 1.75cm  thick 2 minutes each side) or until the internal temperature is 55°C. Remove fish to a plate and set aside.

Sauce:

  • Sauté aromatics – In the same pan, add sesame oil on medium heat. Cook garlic, chilli and ginger until golden – about 20 seconds.
  • Sauce – Add everything else except lime juice. Stir, simmer, then reduce until syrupy – about 2 minutes. Add lime juice and stir. (If sauce gets too thick, add water)
  • Coat fish – Return fish into sauce, turning to coat in the sauce.
  • Serve over rice, with garnishes of choice! Pictured with steamed baby pak choy tossed with Asian Sesame Dressing.