| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins – 25 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 398 | 30g | 17g | 4g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 1g | 0g | 25g | 0.8g |
Why I Love Malaysian Butter Garlic Lime Fish
Admittedly, I’m a Montana boy through and through. I wouldn’t blame you if you assumed my culinary forays leaned heavily towards the wild game and regional flavors of my homeland. However, the allure of global cuisine is a compelling mistress, inspiring a sense of adventurous exploration. As testament to this, today I want to talk about a delectable Malaysian delicacy: The Butter Garlic Lime Fish.
A Taste of Malaysia: From Montana to the Malay Peninsula
One might wonder from where my fascination for Malaysian cuisine originates. The answer is surprisingly simple: necessity. I always push myself to evolve from my comfort zone and explore flavors that are foreign yet invigorating. It was during one of these flavor expeditions that I stumbled upon the vibrant and rich repertoire of the Malaysian cuisine. This recipe, in particular, is a prime example of the harmonious balance achieved in Malaysian dishes through the masterful interplay of spices, fresh ingredients, and simplistic yet enlivening cooking techniques.
Inspiration From Renowned Chefs and Personal Experimentation
Behind every creation, there’s a spark of inspiration. This Butter Garlic Lime Fish recipe is no different. As I was running my eyes through the culinary bible of CNN Chef Anthony Bourdain, I stumbled upon a rather intriguing, yet similar recipe. Employing the core philosophy of Bourdain’s approach, which championed local, fresh ingredients, I sought to create something that retained its powerful Malaysian roots while easily replicating it in a Western kitchen.
The result is this recipe that boasts of an explosion of flavors, a snapshot of the streets of Penang in every mouthful. It’s much like Bourdain himself, cosmopolitan and authentically rooted at the same time.
Perfect Pairings: The Joys of Complementarity
This Butter Garlic Lime Fish, imbued with the tang and spice of lime and garlic, complemented by the comforting mellowness of the butter, pairs delightfully with a simple steamed Jasmine rice.
Alternatively, for the pasta lovers out there, a light, lemony Linguine deftly balances the hearty, native flavors of this dish. Regardless of how you enjoy it, this recipe opens up a world of opportunities for flavorful exploration. I’ll wait for you here in the kitchen.
What You’ll Need
- 6 whole fish fillets
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 12 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- Lime slices, for garnish
Method
Step One
Prepare all the ingredients. Melt the butter, mince the garlic, squeeze the lime to make 1/4 cup of fresh juice, chop the parsley and set everything aside. Rinse the fish fillets and pat them dry.
Step Two
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, and fresh lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste, and stir until the ingredients are well combined.
Step Three
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the fish fillets to the pan. Cook the fish for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the fillets are golden brown and cooked through.
Step Four
Reduce the heat to low. Pour the butter, garlic, and lime mixture over the cooked fish fillets. Use a spoon to baste the fish with the sauce for a couple of minutes, until the fish is fully flavored with the mixture.
Step Five
Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the fish with fresh chopped parsley and garnish with lime slices before serving. Your Butter Garlic Lime Fish is ready to enjoy!
