Pla Nung Khing Sai Het (Steamed Fish with Ginger and Mushrooms – Thai)

Posted by WingsFan91 at recipegoldmine.com 11/15/2001 3:20 pm

Traditionally this is prepared with the fish known in the West as a pomfret, but any similar (flat) fish will do.

This is steamed, and as such is best done in a bamboo steamer, because in a metal steamer condensation on the lid drips onto the food, and marks it, spoiling the appearance, and also possibly affecting the cooking process (fish is best steamed in "dry" steam). If you use a metal steamer you should cover the fish with a paper towel which is not in contact with the fish. Alternatively you can cook this dish in a microwave, using low to medium power.

Clean the fish and score the sides with several cuts to allow the marinade to penetrate.

The traditional recipe calls for phak kaat dong (pickled Chinese cabbage). In the highly likely event that you don't have this on hand, the best substitute is probably pickled red cabbage.

Marinade:
1 large field mushroom, thinly sliced,
2 tablespoons grated ginger
2 tablespoons phak kaat dong, thinly sliced (see above)
1 tablespoon prik chi fa daeng, sliced (red jalapeno)
2 scallions/spring onions/green onions, finely sliced
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon kapi (shrimp paste)
1 teaspoon prik thai (ground black pepper)
1 tablespoon whiskey (optional, but if omitted,
    add 1 tablespoon fish stock)

Mix the marinade ingredients and rub them into the fish, leaving it to marinade for about an hour in a cool place.

Transfer the fish, and the marinade, on a dish large enough to hold it, to a bamboo steamer (see note above), and steam for about 20 to 25 minutes (if microwaving, cook until the flesh adjacent to the bones is cooked, allowing it to rest for 1 minute after each 3 minutes cooking before testing).

Special thanks to Muoi Khuntilanont.