Name: Spicy Grilled Whole Ocean Perch
Cuisine: China
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon sugar; finely grated zest of 2 limes; 1 finger of fresh turmeric, chopped; 4 coriander (cilantro) roots, scraped and chopped; 1 × 500–600 g (1 lb 2 oz-1 lb 5 oz) whole ocean perch; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 2 cloves garlic; 125 ml (4 fl oz/¾ cup) coconut milk; 6 long red chillies, deseeded and finely sliced; 1 small handful of coriander (cilantro) leaves; 3 red shallots; 1 tablespoon garam masala; 1 teaspoon sea salt; juice of 1 lime; 1 lemongrass stalk, tough outer leaves removed, bruised and cut into 2 cm (¾ inch) lengths

Preparation info

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Balance and Harmony

By Neil Perry

Published 2008

About

This dish can be made with any whole fish or fish fillet; snapper is particularly good. There are a few ingredients, but once you get them together, the preparation is simple. It’s nice to get the barbecue going for this dish as well.

Ingredients

1 × 500–600 g (1 lb 2 oz-1 lb 5 <

Method

Pound all the spice paste ingredients in a mortar with a pestle until you have a fine paste. Or use a blender to process the ingredients, adding a little water if necessary.

Make a few deep cuts in the thickest part of the fish. Turn over and repeat on the other side. Rub hal