Malaysian fish ball laksa
Serves 4
Spicy and fragrant Malaysian noodle
soup with delicately-seasoned fish balls and a selection of colorful
vegetables.
7 oz (200g) dried rice stick
noodles
3 cups bean sprouts
3 scallions — white and green parts, thinly sliced and separated
A handful of cilantro (fresh coriander) leaves
20 oz (550g) uncooked firm white fish fillets (such as cod or
snapper) — roughly chopped
2 tablespoons Chinese soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch (cornflour)
2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
4 garlic cloves — finely chopped
2 kaffir lime leaves — stems removed and finely chopped (or use 1
teaspoon finely grated lime zest)
28 oz (800g) coconut milk
4 cups fish, chicken or vegetable stock
5 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 yellow or red peppers — cut into thin strips
2 carrots — thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lime juice
SOAK the noodles in boiling water for 8
minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water. PLACE equal amounts
of noodles in the bottom of four large bowls. PLACE even amounts of
bean sprouts, the green part of the scallions and cilantro on top of
each (reserve a little scallion and cilantro for garnish). PLACE the
fish, soy sauce and cornstarch in a food processor and process until
the fish is minced. FORM the mixture into walnut-size balls and set
aside on a plate. HEAT the oil over a medium heat and cook the curry
paste, garlic and kaffir lime leaf for 1 minute. ADD the coconut
milk, stock, fish sauce and brown sugar, increase the heat and bring
to a rolling simmer. COOK for 2 minutes, uncovered, then add the
yellow peppers, carrots and white parts of the scallions and cook
for 2 minutes, uncovered. ADD the fish balls, cover with a lid, and
cook for 5 minutes. REMOVE from the heat and stir in the lime juice.
LADLE equal amounts of the fish ball-vegetable soup into each bowl
over the noodles, and garnish with extra scallion and cilantro to
serve.
Variations: Replace the fish balls with bite-size pieces of
white fish or salmon. Or add chicken, shrimp, scallops, squid,
mussels, tofu, or use a combination. Use other vegetables such as
cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms and red pepper.
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