This recipe is infused with flavours and ingredients from all over the world with mouth-watering results
The cod is cooked in turmeric and tomato, the sauce is spiked with fish sauce, lemongrass, cayenne pepper and chilli, and it is served with burghul and a delicate herb salad.
Ingredients
For the cod:
• 175g fine-grain instant burgher
• 80ml olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 french shallots, diced
• 1 lemongrass stem, finely chopped, white part only
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 long red chilli, sliced
• 200g cod fillet
• edible flowers, to garnish
For the herb salad:
• 6 beetroot leaves
• 2 fennel fronds
• 1 handful rocket leaves
• 6 mint leaves
• 8 coriander leaves
For the dressing:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Method
1 Prepare the burghul according to the packet instructions.
2 Wash the herb salad ingredients in cold water, then dry them thoroughly. Roughly slice the beetroot leaves and fennel fronds and place in a mixing bowl with the remaining salad ingredients. Combine the dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Set aside.
3 Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over medium heat, then add the olive oil. Add the garlic, shallot and lemongrass and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is fragrant and soft.
4 Add the turmeric and tomato and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, or until the tomato becomes soft.
5 Stir in the fish sauce, sugar, cayenne pepper, chilli and 60 ml water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6 Add the cod and cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until just cooked; the flesh will flake when tested with a fork.
7 Divide the burghul among serving plates. Arrange the cod and herb salad over the top. Garnish with edible flowers and serve.
Recipe courtesy of Luke Nguyen, extracted from Luke Nguyen’s France
