Steamed Fish with Lemongrass

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Fish marinade
3 stalks lemongrass, sliced thinly
4 red bird eye chillies
30g (1 oz) ginger, julienned
4 kaffir lime leaves
4 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp lime juice (optional)
1 whole sea bass, make incisions on both sides of the flesh

Chilli sauce
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 pcs coriander roots
5 red bird eye chillies
1 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp lime juice
4 tbsp water
1 tbsp fish sauce

Method
1) Prepare the chilli sauce ahead. Crush the garlic, coriander roots and red bird eye chillies in a mortar and pestle to obtain a rough paste. Add sugar, lime juice, water and fish sauce and combine well. Keep refrigerated.
2) Place the fish on a platter. Combine all the ingredients and marinte the fish for 5 minutes.
3) Place the fish in a steamer and steam for about 20-25 mins until cooked through but still flakey.
4) Garnish with some coriander leaves and serve with chilli sauce and rice.

Optional garish
Infuse some hot oil with leftover lemongrass. Strain and pour a few drops over the fish for extra flavour.