Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles

Name: Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs cod fillets (or other firm white fish), cut into 2-inch pieces; 1.5 tsp ground turmeric; 2 tsp fresh ginger or galangal, grated; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 2 tsp shrimp paste or additional fish sauce; 1 tsp granulated sugar; 1/4 cup neutral oil; 1 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped; 6 scallions, cut into 2-in pieces; 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles, cooked per package; 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped; 1/4 cup fish sauce (for dipping sauce); 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 2 tbsp sugar (for dipping sauce); 1/4 cup warm water (for dipping sauce); 2 fresh red chili, sliced

Vietnamese cha ca la vong - golden turmeric-marinated cod pan-fried in oil with a shower of fresh dill and scallions, served over vermicelli with peanuts and a tangy dipping sauce. A Hanoi classic.

40 minMediumServes 4410 cal/serving

VietnameseDinnerStovetopPescatarianHigh ProteinDairy-FreeEgg-FreePork-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs cod fillets (or other firm white fish), cut into 2-inch pieces
1.5 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp fresh ginger or galangal, grated
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tsp shrimp paste or additional fish sauce
1 tsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup neutral oil
1 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
6 scallions, cut into 2-in pieces
8 oz rice vermicelli noodles, cooked per package
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
1/4 cup fish sauce (for dipping sauce)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tbsp sugar (for dipping sauce)
1/4 cup warm water (for dipping sauce)
2 fresh red chili, sliced

Instructions

1

Make the nuoc cham dipping sauce: whisk 1/4 cup fish sauce (for dipping sauce), 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp sugar (for dipping sauce), and 1/4 cup warm water (for dipping sauce) until sugar dissolves. Add 2 sliced fresh red chili. Set aside.
2

Marinate the fish: toss 1.5 lbs cut into 2-inch pieces cod fillets (or other firm white fish) with 1.5 tsp ground turmeric, 2 tsp grated fresh ginger or galangal, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tsp shrimp paste or additional fish sauce, and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
3

Cook 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Divide among 4 bowls.
4

Heat 1/4 cup neutral oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated fish in a single layer. Cook for 3 minutes without moving. Carefully flip and cook another 3 minutes until the fish is golden, flaky, and cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
5

Scatter 6 cut into 2-in pieces scallions and 1 cup roughly chopped fresh dill over the fish in the pan. Toss briefly until the herbs are just wilted, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
6

Serve the fish and herbs over 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles in each bowl. Scatter 1/4 cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts on top. Drizzle the dipping sauce over the bowl or serve on the side.

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Questions

How long does Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles take?

As written, 40 minutes: 20 of prep and 20 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 2, 15 minutes.

What internal temperature should Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles reach?

For Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles, the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

How long should Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles marinate?

Step 2 reads: "Let marinate for 15 minutes." Follow the time in step 2. Shorter still seasons the surface. Much longer is not better with acidic marinades, which turn the outside of meat or fish mushy.

What can I use instead of galangal in Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles?

The entry for Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles calls for 2 tsp fresh ginger or galangal, grated. In its place: Fresh ginger with a little lime zest is the workable substitute. Galangal is more piney and peppery, so the result reads slightly different.

Can I use a different white fish instead of the fish in Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles?

Yes. Any firm white fish of similar thickness works: cod, haddock, pollock and halibut are interchangeable here. Timing follows thickness, not species. As written, the entry for Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles uses 1.5 lbs cod fillets (or other firm white fish), cut into 2-inch pieces.

Can I make Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles comes from 2 fresh red chili, sliced. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the chili, or use half; nothing else in the method changes.

How much protein is in Turmeric Dill Fish with Noodles?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 32 g of protein in about 410 calories, alongside 38 g carbohydrate and 12 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 520 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein dinner collection.

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