Thai Drunken Fish

This recipe for fried fish has quite a descriptive name: it's called "Drunken Fish" because it is usually served in Thai bars - like pub food in the West. But don't even think it tastes anything like our typical "pub grub"! In fact, this fish recipe is worthy of the term "gourmet" for all of its wonderful flavor and richness, as well as the spectacular presentation it makes. Any type of whole white fish can be used, including talapia, sea bream, rainbow trout, snapper, etc... And accompanying the fish is an exquisite Thai sauce that's guaranteed to make your taste-buds dance all night long!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• SERVES 2
• 1 cleaned whole fish, such as talapia, rainbow trout, sea bream, snapper, etc... (thawed if frozen)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 squeezes of fresh lime juice (about 1 Tbsp.)
• 1/2 cup regular white flour (or white rice flour for gluten-free diets)
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups canola or other vegetable oil for frying
• garnish: tomato and cucumber slices, plus handfuls of fresh basil and/or coriander
• SAUCE:
• 6 cloves garlic
• juice of 1 lime (about 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 tsp. white or black pepper
• 3-4 spring onions, sliced
• 1/2 loose cup fresh coriander (including stems)
• 3 Tbsp. fish sauce
• 3 Tbsp. palm or brown sugar
• 4-5 lime leaves (snipped into slivers with scissors & stems removed) - available frozen at Asian/Chinese food stores
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup coconut or other good-tasting oil (a good-quality olive oil may also be used)
• 1-2 red chilies, OR 2-3 tsp. chili paste/sauce, such as Nam Prik Pao
• 2 Tbsp. water

Preparation:

1. Rinse the fish and pat dry. Using a sharp serrated knife, make 3-4 vertical cuts along each side (see photo). Though not authentic, you can remove the head and tail if desired.
2. Squeeze about 1 Tbsp. of lime juice over the fish, then sprinkle salt over. Be sure to do both sides. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
3. Place all sauce ingredients in a food processor or mini-chopper and process until you have a beautiful bright green paste-like sauce. (You can also use a pestle & mortar for this task, adding the liquid ingredients afterward.)
4. Taste-test the sauce, adding more fish sauce if not salty enough, more sugar if too sour, or more chili/chili sauce if not spicy enough.
5. Pour sauce into a sauce pan and set aside until later.
6. Spread flour over a plate or other clean surface. Then dredge the fish in it, turning until it's well coated. Set fish beside the stove, along with tongs and a little absorbent paper or clean tea towel.
7. Pour enough oil into a wok or large frying pan (large enough for the fish) so that oil is at least 1 inch deep. Turn heat on high.
8. When you see the oil forming lines along the bottom of the pan, or when it begins to bubble, test it by dropping in a small cube of bread - if it begins to sizzle and turn brown, it's ready. If not, the oil needs longer to heat up.
9. When the oil is hot enough, carefully place fish in the oil. Turn the heat down to medium, or just above medium.
10. Allow fish to cook at least 3 minutes per side before turning or moving it (this will prevent the skin from tearing). Depending on how thick your fish is, it will take 8-12 minutes to cook.
11. Fish is done when the skin is golden-brown and the flesh inside the cuts is white and opaque (not pink or translucent).
12. When done, turn off the heat and remove fish from oil. Set it on the paper towel to drain.
13. Place sauce over medium heat for a minute or two - just until it's warm enough to serve. Tip: Don't overheat. If you boil the sauce, you will lose its wonderfully fresh flavor.
14. To serve, place fish on a large plate or platter, and surround it with the sauce. Garnish with slices of tomato and/or cucumber, plus a few sprigs of coriander and basil. Note that the sauce is very strong, so you'll only need a little with each bite of fish. ENJOY!

For an extra special treat, serve this fish with my Easy Coconut Rice.

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