Barramundi with Tom Yum Sauce

Ingredients

  • 4 x 200g skin-on barramundi
  • (or snapper fillets)
  • Oil, for searing
  • Fresh coriander leaves, to serve
  • TOM YUM SAUCE
  • 1 tbsp chilli oil
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, very finely sliced
  • 2 Thai chillies, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp finely sliced galangal
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves, finely chiffonaded
  • 500ml chicken stock
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • 60g cold butter, cubed
  • 1 lime

Method

1. Make the tom yum sauce

Place a pan over medium heat and add the chilli oil. Add the shallot, lemongrass, Thai chillies and galangal, then cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Pour in the chicken stock and bring to the boil. Allow the liquid to simmer until reduced by about half. Stir in the fish sauce, coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves, then remove the saucepan from the heat.

2. Cook the fish

Heat a large frying pan over high heat and add enough oil to lightly coat the base. Season the fish fillets with salt, then place them skin-side down in the hot pan.

Cook for 4–5 minutes, pressing lightly, until the skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook for a further 2 minutes, or until just cooked through.

3. SERVE

To serve, spoon the warm tom yum sauce over the fish. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and scatter over coriander leaves before serving