Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Quick & Easy: Monchong with Thai "Pesto"

Recently I bought Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express and I am loving it. Of course what's not to love about "404 Inspired Seasonal Recipes You Can Make In 20 minutes Or Less"? I tabbed a bunch of the recipes, (or "sketches" as Bittman refers to them), and was happy to find this one for Fish with Thai "Pesto" as it seemed like a great way to highlight local fish along with herbs and Thai chilies from the farmer's market. I used fresh monchong, (also known as "pomfrit" outside of Hawaii), a firm, white-fleshed fish.


Bittman says: "Use this herb paste on almost any seafood, chicken or meat; it also works beautifully tossed with noodles."

Fish with Thai Pesto
Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express

In a food processor or blender, combine a few good handfuls of Thai basil, some cilantro, a few tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil, a fresh Thai chile, a clove of garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Puree until nearly smooth, adding a bit more oil if needed. Season the fish with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. Heat a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil and cook the fish, turning once, until both sides are golden and the fish is cooked through. Top the fish generously with the pesto and serve.


Notes/Results: Yum! Love the pesto, it is nicely herbal with a kick from the chile, (I used 1/2 of a small red bird chile). It went perfectly with the moist, mild fish and helped flavor the Kashi 7 Whole Grain Pilaf I served it over. A flavorful meal that takes just minutes to make, this "pesto" is a keeper recipe. I can definitely see it with some shrimp over some pasta or rice noodles or on top of some steamed veggies.

12 comments:

  1. I love this style of recipe, which is the way we cook, really. I have put this book on my to-buy list.
    Your dinner looks delicious and very healthy!
    I have lots of Thai basil on my deck right now too, yum!

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  2. I have to admit, it was the side dish grains that caught my eye with this one - I just had to know what you were serving with the main...the pesto sounds great too :o)

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  3. This is one of those green sauces that I already know I am pre-disposed to like. I am putting this book on my list of books to stare at for hours in The Strand and possibly walk about buying.

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  4. yum this pesto sounds like it has a real kick to it!

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  5. this is great can I feature it on Alaskan Seafood Blog

    rebeccasubbiah at yahoo dot com lol

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  6. What a lovely meal. Those grains look wonderful. You've come up with another winner.

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  7. This looks like a most delicious, healthful, and easy to prepare meal. Its just beautiful!

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  8. Right!! I so love this book! Delicious :D

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  9. This paste - and the fish - look absolutely amazing; I love Bittman's recipes!

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  10. Your dinner looks so perfectly delicious that I'm drooling. Now that I'm working two jobs, I don't have as much time to cook (or blog), so its simply wonderful to visit you and see what I would have loved to eat tonight (instead of takeout pizza)!

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  11. I've been working my way through pestos, this sounds like another one that I'll have to try!

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  12. That looks so tasty! The wholegrain pilaf is a lovely idea.

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