Master chef, teacher, and author John Ash contributed this delicious recipe, which can be made with any fresh fish (be sure you select your fish from a sustainable source). It's based on a curry mixture called laksa, which originally was a descriptor for noodles, but now has come to mean a spicy, coconut milk-based dish with or without noodles. Its roots are in Indonesia and Malaysia; now it's very popular in trendy restaurants across Australia.
4 sea bass fillets, 3/4 to 1 inch thick (about 1-1/2 pounds)
Coarse salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup chicken stock
1-1/2 cups coconut milk, well stirred
1/2 cup laksa paste, or to taste (see recipe below)
1 pound Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach
Daikon radish or sunflower sprouts, as garnish
Laksa Paste:
Makes a generous cup
2 tablespoons Asian chile sauce, or to taste
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1/3 cup chopped, toasted macadamia nuts or blanched almonds
1/4 cup peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
2 tablespoons coriander seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon shrimp paste or 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce, or to taste
Juice and grated zest of 2 limes
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 cup coconut milk
Make the laksa paste first. Place all the ingredients except the coconut milk in a blender and purée until very smooth. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly. The sauce should be very fragrant.
Add the coconut milk and cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Laksa paste can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F.
Dry the fish with paper towels, then season lightly on both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an ovenproof saute pan (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat. Add the fillets and sauté on one side until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Turn the fish over and transfer the pan to the oven. Cook until the fish has lost its translucency and is just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the stock and coconut milk in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and add the laksa paste; keep warm.
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and stir-fry until it wilts, about 1 minute. This may need to be done in two batches if your pan is not large enough.
To serve, divide the spinach among 4 wide, shallow bowls, and top each serving with a fish fillet. Ladle the warm broth around the fish, garnish with the sprouts, and serve immediately.
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