VIETNAMESE CATFISH IN A CLAY POT (CA KHO TO)

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Vietnamese Catfish in a Clay Pot (Ca Kho To) image

What an excitingly different way to have catfish! Serves 2-3 or more if other entrees are included as part of the meal.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h2m

Yield 2-3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 ounces fish sauce (nam pla)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 fresh lime, juice of (no seeds)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 stalk lemongrass (light part only, cut into 1-2 inch lengths)
1 lb catfish fillet
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons chicken stock (may use broth) or 3 tablespoons fish stock (may use broth)
3 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
3 ounces baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaf
2 scallions, finely chopped
3 cups steamed cooked jasmine rice (to serve) (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Place clay pot or covered roasting pan into oven to preheat.
  • Place 3 ounces fish sauce and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan, and use whisk to blend until sugar dissolves. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking until mixture comes to a boil, then stop stirring, and swirl mixture in pan for 12 minutes or so, until it becomes golden, foamy, and slightly thick.
  • Remove from heat, and when mixture has cooled and foam settled somewhat, stir in lime juice until sauce is blended.
  • In the bottom of the clay pot or roaster, place oil, shallots, garlic, and chopped lemongrass.
  • Cover clay pot or roaster and cook at 450°F for 10 minutes.
  • Remove pot from oven and add catfish fillets in a single layer. Cover pot and cook at 450°F for 5 minutes.
  • Remove pot from oven and add mushrooms and caramel sauce. Cover pot and cook at 450°F for 5 minutes.
  • Mix together remaining fish sauce, broth, water, and sugar until blended.
  • Remove pot from oven and add broth mixture and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Return pot to oven and cook, UNCOVERED, for 10 minutes at 450°F.
  • Remove pot from oven and cover fish and mushrooms with spinach, basil, and chopped scallion. Cover pot and cook at 450°F for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and serve fish and vegetables with hot steamed jasmine rice.

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