COCONUT FISH STEW WITH BASIL AND LEMONGRASS

Coconut Fish Stew With Basil and Lemongrass image

This stew is profoundly flavored and nuanced, with pungent notes of herbs, lime and saline fish sauce softened by the coconut milk, supple seafood and rice.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories for two, soups and stews, main course

Time 20m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 13.5-ounce can coconut milk
1 lemongrass stalk, finely chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, if desired, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
Finely grated zest of 1 lime
3/4 pound snapper or other firm fish (cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks), peeled shrimp, scallops or a combination
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Fresh lime juice, to taste
Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until shallots are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in stock, coconut milk, lemongrass, jalapeño, vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, salt and lime zest. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in seafood and herbs. Cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in lime juice and serve, with rice if desired. (Note: Without rice it's more soup than stew.)

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 755, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 52 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 35 grams, SaturatedFat 38 grams, Sodium 1891 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams, TransFat 0 grams