OK, let's get onto some lighter subject matter. Gastroporn. Foreplay on the tablecloth. Except that some food can be too good to share, so it may be better to be single and have double helpings.
I made this dish two nights ago, and I'm still recovering. Wow. Talk about a taste orgasm. I think it is quite the best meal I have made in my entire life, bar none, including Jamie Oliver's restaurant, The Square and East West.
But don't believe me, don't cook it, you may be better off not knowing it even exists.
What you need for two servings, is:
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup coconut milk
1 inch of ginger, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
There is supposed to be a stalk of lemon grass and a couple of tablespoons of nam pla but I didn't have any so I left it out and DON'T CARE. Though when I make this again next week I will get those ingredients in too just for comparison. Can it really get any better?
OK, mix that together in a deepish pot, bring to the boil and let simmer for about 30-40 minutes. DO NOT TASTE THE BROTH! You will not have enough broth left by the time you finish tasting, making it impossible to complete the dish.
Remove the ginger. I used a slotted spoon, but you can strain it and pour the broth back into the pot. Add two pieces of salmon. Mine were around 5 ounces/150 grams each, Poach for 5 to 7 minutes depending on how done you like your fish.
In the meantime, chop up some veggies of choice. I used one leek, a couple of mushrooms, half a yellow pepper, 4 string beans, 1 small chili, ummm...I can't think there was anything else. The recipe actually called for bean sprouts, julienned carrot, and shiitake, but do you own thing. IT WON'T MATTER, BELIEVE ME. OK I would skip corn, I think.
When the fish is done, remove from the broth and toss the veggies in. Poach for about 2 minutes. The fish will not get cold while you do this, especially if you put it onto warmed plates which I did not. I used shallow soup bowls to serve. Dish the veggies on or around the fish and drizzle with a couple of tablespoons of broth.
The original recipe wants you to use glass noodles, which you soak first and then put into the broth to absorb the flavours. You serve the fish on the noodles, topped with the veggies. I didn't have any, so I left them out. IT DOESN'T MATTER!
Lock the doors, light the candles, put on soft music. Eat slowly, savour every mouthful. The earth will move for you, yes it will.