Cambodia – Amok Trey

www.myhungrytum.com

Ingredients:

1 Garlic Clove, chopped

1 Red Onion, chopped

5cm/2-inches fresh Root Galangal, chopped or 1/2 tsp Ground Galangal

2 tbsp chopped Lemon Grass or 2 tsp Ground Lemon Grass

½ tsp Ground Turmeric

1 tsp Paprika

2 tbsp Fish Sauce

1 tbsp Sugar

½ tsp salt

3-5 Keffir Lime leaves shreaded

Green or Red chilies finely chopped (to taste. I used 3 for a bit of heat)

1 x 400g/14oz tin Coconut Milk

450g/1lb White Fish Fillets, e.g. (Catfish, Sole, Orange Roughy)

4-8 Banana leaves (depending on size) or 8 large Dark Green Cabbage Leaves

Preparation:

1. Place the garlic, onion, galangal, lemon grass, turmeric, paprika, lime leaf, chilies, fish sauce and sugar
in a blender or food processor and process until well blended.

2. Add the coconut milk and process again until thoroughly mixed.

3. Transfer the coconut mixture to a medium saucepan and bring to simmering point, stirring. Continue
to cook gently for about 10 minutes until thickened.

4. Meanwhile, if using cabbage greens, place them in a large saucepan, cover with boiling water and set
aside to soften. If using banana leaves, cut into pieces about 20cm/8-inches square.

5. Place the fish in a bowl, season with a little salt then pour over half the hot coconut sauce and mix well.
Set the remaining sauce aside.

6. Place 1/8th of the fish pieces in the centre of each leaf and fold the edges over to form secure parcels,
making sure you tuck the edges under. You can use toothpicks to close the packets if you prefer.

7. Steam the parcels for 1 hour.

8. 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time, gently reheat the remaining sauce.

9. To serve - make a small opening down the centre of each parcel and spoon the remaining coconut sauce
into the opening. Serve immediately with rice.

Recipe: http://www.asiarecipe.com/cammain.html#amok and edits by Eric Ackerson

Additional Sources:

http://thaifood.about.com/od/thaicookingessentials/ht/bananaleafhowto.htm

http://baltimoresnacker.blogspot.com/2009/11/food-ethnography-on-budget-cambodia-iii.html