Steamed Whole Red Snapper with Asian Flavors
Ingredients
- 2 16- to 18-ounce whole red snappers, cleaned, scaled
- 16 very thin slices peeled fresh ginger plus 2 tablespoons chopped
- 16 very thin slices peeled garlic plus 2 tablespoons chopped
- 16 large fresh cilantro leaves plus 3 tablespoons chopped
- 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
- 3 tablespoons chopped lemongrass
- 3 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons oriental sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- Cooked long-grain white rice
Instructions
4 Main-Course Servings. 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. 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. 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. 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.
