Thai Steamed Snapper Recipes

STEAMED WHOLE RED SNAPPER WITH ASIAN FLAVORS

Steps:

• Sprinkle inside of each fish with salt. Using sharp cleaver or knife, make 4 diagonal slits on 1 side of each fish, spacing equally and cutting to the bone. Insert 1 slice of ginger, 1 slice of garlic and 1 cilantro leaf into each slit. Turn fish over. Make 4 diagonal slits on second side of each fish and insert remaining sliced ginger, sliced garlic and cilantro leaves. Arrange fish in 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; refrigerate).
• Place a slice of ginger and garlic, then a whole cilantro leaf in each slit; they will add flavor to the fish during the steaming process. Hold back the flaps to insert the seasonings more easily.
• Pour enough water into wok or large pot to reach depth of 1 1/2 inches. Place bottom of 11- to 12-inch-diameter bamboo steamer over water in wok or open a steamer rack and place in pot. Place dish with fish in bamboo steamer (or on steamer rack). Curl tails if necessary to fit.
• The classic Chinese way to cook the fish is in a tiered bamboo steamer set over boiling water in a wok. Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into the wok.
• If you don't have a bamboo steamer or a wok, you can use a vegetable steamer rack set in a large pot. The pot should be large enough to allow steam to circulate around the glass pie dish that holds the fish.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon each of chopped cilantro, shallots, lemongrass and green onions into dish around fish. Combine broth and 1 tablespoon soy sauce in cup and pour into dish. Bring water to boil. Cover bamboo steamer (or pot). Steam fish until just opaque in center at bone, about 18 minutes.
• Before steaming, surround the fish with chopped shallots, lemongrass, green onions, and cilantro. Then pour a broth and soy sauce mixture into the dish to flavor the fish as it cooks.
• Meanwhile, combine sesame oil and vegetable oil in heavy medium skillet. Add chopped ginger and chopped garlic, then 2 tablespoons each of chopped cilantro, shallots, lemongrass and green onions. Stir over medium heat until oil is hot and seasonings are fragrant, about 3 minutes. Pour seasoned oil into small bowl; add remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
• Using oven mitts as aid, transfer dish with fish to work surface. Using large spatula, transfer fish to platter. Spoon juices from dish over fish. Spoon some of seasoned oil over fish. Serve fish with rice; pass remaining seasoned oil.
• You may have to special-order whole fish from the supermarket or fish market.
• ** Available at Southeast Asian markets and in the produce section of some supermarkets.

ROASTED RED SNAPPER WITH THAI BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Season fish inside and out with salt and pepper. Place lime leaves inside the body cavity. Combine the peanut oil, garlic, ginger and basil leaves in a dish and marinate the fish for 1 to 2 hours, refrigerated, occasionally turning and basting.
• Preheat roasting pan in oven for 10 minutes before cooking snapper.
• Add the red pepper, cabbage and tofu to the pan and roast for 5 minutes.
• Place the marinated fish into the preheated roasting pan on one side on a bed of the vegetables and roast for 12 to 15 minutes before turning the fish to its other side.
• Roast for 5 minutes and pour the peanuts and coconut milk over the fish. Continue to roast for 10 minutes more before removing from the oven.
• Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Use two spoons to remove the fish from the bones.
• Serve on a bed of rice noodles tossed with sesame oil. Spoon the tofu, red pepper, cabbage and pan juices over the fish and noodles.

ASIAN-STYLE STEAMED SNAPPER WITH BABY BOK CHOY

Steps:

• In a shallow pot that a bamboo steamer fits over or in a wok, add the water and bring to a boil. You can also use a traditional steamer that has 2 layers. Add the ginger, lime leaves, citrus zest, cilantro, scallions, white wine, jalapeno, and peanut oil. Season well with salt. Bring back to a boil and cook for 10 minutes for the flavors to combine.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper. Place the first layer of the bamboo steamer over the pot. Line the steamer with the cabbage leaves, making sure that the surface is not completely covered so the steam can get through. Lay the fish, skin-side up, on the cabbage leaves. Cover and steam for 1 minute.
• Place the bok choy on the second layer of the bamboo steamer in 1 layer. Uncover the steamer and place the bok choy layer on top of the fish. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through and the bok choy is tender, but still has some crispness. Check the fish for doneness by gently inserting a fork into it. If the fork slides easily in, the fish is done. If the fork resists sliding in, it is not quite done. Remove the fish and bok choy and keep warm while you make the sauce.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the peanut oil and heat. When the oil is hot, add the ginger, garlic, and jalapeno and saute until just translucent, about 3 minutes. Do not allow the vegetables to brown. Add 4 ounces of the steaming liquid and the soy sauce and boil for 2 minutes. Do not season with salt as the soy sauce is salty. Add the sugar and boil for 1 minute, or until the sugar is completely dissolved. Lower the heat and whisk in the butter. Add the scallion whites, stir, and remove from the heat.
• Place some jasmine rice on a platter. Top with the steamed bok choy. Top the bok choy with the snapper, skin-side up. Spoon the sauce over the fish. Garnish with the scallion greens and cilantro sprigs.

THAI STEAMED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Arrange a steamer basket or cake rack in a large wok or deep skillet and add enough water to reach just below the rack; set aside.
• Place fish on a large piece of oiled parchment paper and season with salt. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger, green onions and chiles and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in lime zest and fish sauce and cook for about 10 seconds more. Pour mixture over fish and wrap up parchment paper snugly to form a packet.
• Carefully transfer fish to rack in wok or skillet. Bring water to a simmer over medium heat, cover and steam until fish is just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove parchment packet from wok and transfer to a large plate. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.