Steamed Fish With Lime and Chile

A fragrant Thai-inspired steamed fish dish featuring fresh black bass or rainbow trout prepared with a spicy-tangy sauce of garlic, chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce. The fish is gently steamed to perfection and served with aromatic jasmine rice.

4 servings
30 min

Ingredients

  • 4 cloves large garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro stems
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green Thai chiles
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 pinch freshly ground pepper
  • 1 whole black bass or rainbow trout
  • 2 tablespoons low-salt chicken broth
  • 1 whole lime
  • 4 servings steamed jasmine rice
  • 1 piece large bamboo steamer

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    In a clay mortar, lightly pound garlic, cilantro stems, and chiles with a wooden pestle until a coarse paste forms. Add 2 tablespoons lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and pepper; mix with a spoon to combine. (Alternatively, pulse in a mini-processor until a loose paste forms.) Set sauce aside.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Place fish on a plate that will fit inside the steamer with some wiggle room; pour reserved paste over. In a wide pot, add water to a depth of 1". Bring to a boil. Transfer fish on plate to steamer. Set steamer over pot and pour chicken broth over fish. Cover; steam fish until cooked through, 12-15 minutes.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Using 2 large spatulas, transfer fish to a serving platter. Spoon juices on plate in steamer over fish. Drizzle with lime juice, if desired. Garnish with lime slices and cilantro leaves. Serve with steamed rice.

    5 min

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