Aromatic Burmese Ngar Htamin

Name: Aromatic Burmese Ngar Htamin
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Firm white fish fillets; Fish sauce; Lime juice; Turmeric powder; Ground white pepper; Jasmine rice; Water; Cinnamon stick; Star anise; Cloves; Vegetable oil; Tamarind paste; Fish sauce; Sugar; Garlic; Chopped fresh cilantro; Green onions

Tangy and Fragrant Fish with Rice

Ngar Htamin is a traditional Burmese dish featuring seasoned sour fish atop aromatic rice, offering a burst of flavors in every bite.

1 h 45 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Fish Marinade

Firm white fish fillets

4 pieces (tilapia or catfish)

Fish sauce

1/4 cup

Lime juice

2 tablespoons

Turmeric powder

1 tablespoon

Ground white pepper

1 teaspoon

For the Aromatic Rice

Jasmine rice

2 cups

Water

3 1/2 cups

Cinnamon stick

Star anise

Cloves

4 cloves

Vegetable oil

1 tablespoon

For the Sour Fish Sauce

Tamarind paste

1/2 cup

Fish sauce

2 tablespoons

Sugar

1 tablespoon

Garlic

2 cloves, finely chopped

For the Garnish

Chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup

Green onions

2, sliced thinly

Preparation

Marinating the Fish

Prepare the marinade

In a bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, turmeric powder, and ground pepper to make the marinade.

Marinate the fish

Coat fish fillets evenly in the marinade.

Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Preparing the Aromatic Rice

Rinse the rice

Rinse jasmine rice until the water runs clear.

Toast the spices

In a saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat, add cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves until fragrant.

Cook the rice

Add rinsed rice and water; bring to a boil.

Do not lift the lid while rice is cooking to ensure even steaming. Allow the rice to rest off heat for 10 minutes before fluffing for perfect texture.

Cooking Process

Cook the fish

Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook marinated fish for about 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.

Timing: 8 minutes (approx). Heat: Medium.

Prepare the sauce

In a saucepan, combine tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar, and chopped garlic. Cook over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly.

Heat: Low.

Cook the rice

Reduce heat to low once water is boiling, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes without uncovering.

Simmer: 20 minutes.

Plating & Serving