Thai Steamed Halibut Recipes

STEAMED HALIBUT FLASHED WITH THAI BIRD-KAFFIR LIME OIL TURMERIC FRIED RICE AND LONG BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Set up a steamer that can hold the 4 fillets. Mix lime juice, salt, sugar and water. Add the fish and brine for 20 minutes. Add the fillets to the steamer (should be lined with red leaf or banana leaf), top with the scallions and steam for 8 to10 minutes until cooked though. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the peanut oil very hot until almost smoking. Mix the kaffir, chile, ginger, garlic and salt and pepper. First plate the halibut and right before serving, add the mix to the hot oil, mix and immediately flash the halibut. Serve.
• It is recommended to use day old rice so that the drier rice can soak up the flavors. In a wok, add 2 tablespoons of oil and quickly soft scramble the eggs. Remove the eggs. In the same wok, coat with oil and stir-fry garlic and ginger. Add scallions and rice and heat thoroughly. Add soy sauce, white pepper and scrambled eggs. Check for seasoning.
• Blanch the long beans in a 350 degree fryer for only 1 minute until wrinkled. Mix in a bowl the sambal, fish sauce and lime juice. Add the hot long beans. Check for seasoning and adjust. Let sit at room temperature.

THAI-STYLE HALIBUT WITH COCONUT-CURRY BROTH

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer until reduced to 2 cups, about 5 minutes.
• Season the halibut with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Arrange the fish in the pan and gently shake the pan so the fish is coated with the sauce. Cover and cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 7 minutes.
• Steam or microwave the baby spinach for 2 minutes.
• Arrange a pile of steamed spinach in the bottom of 4 soup plates. Top with the fish fillets. Stir the cilantro, scallions, and lime juice into the sauce and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Ladle the sauce over the fish and serve with rice.

GRILLED HALIBUT WITH TATSOI AND SPICY THAI CHILES

Steps:

• Mix first 7 ingredients in medium glass bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Sauce can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place carrot in medium bowl. Cover with ice water. Let stand 15 minutes, then drain well. Brush fish on all sides with 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallot; stir 1 minute. Add tatsoi; sprinkle with salt. Toss until tatsoi is wilted but still bright green, about 2 minutes; divide among 4 plates.
• Place fish atop tatsoi. Sprinkle each fillet with carrot; drizzle each with 2 tablespoons sauce. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

STEAMED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Line a steamer with fresh mixed herbs. Season halibut steaks with salt; place on herbs. Cover, and steam over simmering water until opaque, 5 to 7 minutes. Add a squeeze of lime.

STEAMED HALIBUT WITH CHILI LIME DRESSING

Steps:

• For the Dressing.
• Combine the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.
• For the Fish.
• Steam the filets for 9 to 11 minutes.
• Fan out tomato and cucumber slices on serving platter or on four individual plates.
• Place steamed fish on top of tomato and cucumber.
• Drizzle dressing over fish.
• Rough chop herbs and scatter over the dressed fish.
• Garnish, if you like, with fried shallots and pickled red chilis.
• Note: To fry shallots, thinly slice them and stir fry in hot oil in a wok till they are golden brown--drain on a paper-towel covered rack and serve as a crispy garnish.

HALIBUT OR OTHER FISH STEAMED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Put at least 2 inches of water in the bottom of a steamer. Soak the banana leaves in hot water until soft, just a few seconds.
• Toss together the fish, garlic, ginger, nam pla, sugar, and cayenne. Put a piece of the seasoned fish in the center of each of the banana leaves and top with shallot, cilantro, and a light sprinkling of salt. Fold in the sides of the leaves and seal shut with toothpicks or skewers.
• Steam for about 15 minutes, or until the fish is done (peek into one of the packages to check). Be careful of the steaming liquid when removing the packages. Remove each of the fish pieces from its package before serving and spoon some of the juices over it.
• Lemongrass Halibut (or Other Fish) Steamed in Banana Leaves
• In step 2, toss the fish with 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and the nam pla and sugar. Put it in the packages as directed and top with the shallots, 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives or scallion, and 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, preferably Thai basil. Seal and steam as directed.