2 lemongrass stalks, bruised and cut in half
2 x 200g white fish fillets (e.g. barramundi, snapper, cod, halibut)
lime slices, to serve
coriander leaves ,to serve
1 red chilli, finely sliced, to serve
sea salt
steamed rice to serve
Spicy lime & garlic sauce:
4 birds’ eye chillies, roughly chopped
2 coriander roots, roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves
½ tsp sea salt
¼ cup chicken or fish stock
3 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp sugar
For the spicy lime and garlic sauce, use a mortar and pestle to pound the chillies, coriander roots, garlic and salt to a rough paste. Transfer to a bowl and mix with the stock, fish sauce, lime juice and sugar.
Place the lemongrass on a plate large enough to fit your pieces of fish but small enough to fit into your wok or a large deep frying pan with a lid. Place the fish on top of the lemongrass. Season the fish with salt.
Fill your wok or frying pan about ¼ full with water and bring to a simmer. Make a trivet out of foil by scrunching it up into a rough cylinder and coiling it around into a circle. Use tongs to place the foil trivet into the simmering water. Place the plate of fish on top of the foil and push down to secure (the water level should be below the plate). Cover with a lid and steam for 5 minutes. Then remove the lid and pour the spicy lime and garlic sauce over the fish. Replace the lid and steam for a further 6-7 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.
Carefully remove the plate of fish from the pan. Garnish with lime slices, coriander and chilli slices. Serve with steamed rice.
Zingy, fresh and so delicious
Made this tonight and it was a hit with everyone. The fresh citrus, heat from the chilli, lemongrass fragrance and soft flaky fish was amazing. I served mine with coconut rice. Will definitely make this again.
Great recipe didn’t have all ingredients available?
I’m wondering what I can use instead of fresh coriander for the sauce? Also I’m not sure if I picked the right white fish, do you have any suggestions for people to get at a grocery store other than salmon?
Response from Marion's Kitchen
Thanks so much for your message. We think it’s best to leave the coriander out if you’re not a fan, rather than finding a replacement. Although a few fresh mint leaves as a garnish at the end might be nice! As for fish type, you want to use a nice firm fillet – perhaps something like cod, ling, barramundi or snapper. You can often find these frozen at the grocery store , too. Hope this helps.