Recipe

Panggang Ikan Bawal (Grilled Pomfret)

The silver pomfret or bawal putih is prized for its quite delicious flesh. These flat upright, almost round fish, resembling John Dory, are particularly highly regarded by the Chinese. They are usually cooked quite simply so as not to mask their sweet taste.

Ingredients:
1 fresh pomfret, about 1 ¼ lb (625 g)
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
1 table spoon peanut oil
Cucumber slices
Shredded fresh red chilli

Sauce Dip
1 tablespoon ground chilli paste
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
Sugar and salt to taste

How to make:

• Clean and scale the pomfret and rinse thoroughly in cold water. Wipe dry and make several shallow slashes across both sides, horizontally to the head.

• Mix the garlic and ginger with the sweet soy sauce and peanut oil. Brush over the fish and let stand for 2 hours to absorb the flavours. Grill over glowing charcoal, brushing with the marinade several times during cooking.

• Mix the sauce ingredients together and divide among several small dishes. Set the fish on a serving plate. Surround the slices of fresh cucumber and garnish with the fine shreds of fresh red chilli. Serve with the sauce to use as a dip for each mouthful.