Chả Cá Lã Vọng

Method

1. Prep the fish. Check the basa fillets thoroughly and remove any remaining bones. Slice the fillets into roughly 2 × 2 cm pieces.
2. To make the marinade, add the shallots, ginger (or galangal) and 2 cloves of the garlic to a mortar and pestle and pound into a rough paste. Add the turmeric, lime zest, 2 tbsp squid brand premium fish sauce and 1 tsp of sugar and mix to combine. The remaining garlic, fish sauce and sugar in the recipe will be used later in the sauce, so keep these to the side.
3. Add the fish, your tumeric marinade and the cornstarch to a mixing bowl and use your hands to combine until the fish is evenly coated. Tumeric can stain, so it’s best to use gloves for this step. Set aside as you prep the remaining components.
4. Cook the rice vermicelli according to packet instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
5. Next make the nước chấm. Start by grating the remaining 2 cloves of garlic and finely chopping the red chilli. Then, in a small bowl, mix the remaining 3 tbsp of fish sauce, grated garlic, chilli, 3 tsp sugar and lime juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
6. Heat a pan over a medium heat. Add the peanuts and toast in the dry pan until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
7. Chop the spring onions into 4 cm lengths and roughly pick the dill, coriander and Thai basil leaves.
8. Now the prep is done, it is time to cook the fish. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated fish and stir-fry for a few minutes per side until nearly cooked. Now add the spring onions and majority of the dill (saving some fresh dill to top the dish at the end) and stir fry for another minute or two until the fish is cooked through and flaky. Remove from heat.
9. Build your dish one bowl style, starting with the vermicelli, the cooked, herby tumeric fish, extra dill, Thai basil, coriander, and toasted peanuts. You can also use any remaining lime wedges as garnish. Finally, spoon over a generous amount of nước chấm and serve this super fresh and fragrant one bowl wonder. Mix it all up and enjoy!