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Amy Chanta and Palisa Anderson’s bpla neung manow (steamed fish with spicy chilli and lime dressing)

Lemongrass, chilli and scud chillies, and a whole steamed snapper. Nothing better.
A whole steamed snapper on a black plate, garnished with sliced limes, crushed chillies and coriander sprigs.Elise Hassey
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“When we ate whole fish my mum would always leave the meaty bits for me and take the head for herself, which I thought at the time was a loving sacrifice. But now I know the head holds the sweetest and most tender bits,” says Palisa Anderson. “I imagine this to be the secret self-care baton that mothers pass on to each other through the ages.”

Ingredients

Method

1.Pat snapper dry with paper towel and season with salt flakes. Place on a wire rack over a tray and stand at room temperature for 1 hour to dry. When ready, stuff knotted lemongrass into the cavity and insert the remaining stalk through mouth and into its cavity.
2.Place garlic, coriander roots and chillies in a large mortar and pestle with 1 tsp salt flakes and pound to a rough paste. Add palm sugar and pound until well incorporated. Add fish sauce and lime juice and season to taste.
3.Heat a large wok half full with water over high heat. When boiling, place a large bamboo steamer over the top with a lid. Place snapper on a plate that fits inside steamer. Steam fish until cooked (20-25 minutes); rest for 5 minutes.
4.Remove plate from steamer and wipe off excess water. Spoon over paste, scatter with chopped coriander leaves, finger limes and lime slices and serve with rice to the side.

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