Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon sliced shallot
  • 1 12 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 12 teaspoon black sesame seed
  • 12 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon red chili paste (sambal oelek)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 14 cup rice vinegar
  • 14 cup soy sauce
  • 12 cup canola oil
  • 14 cup all-purpose flour
  • 14 cup cornstarch
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 2 butterflied skin-on rainbow trout (easier to handle if cut into 4 fillets)
  • vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1 12 cups cooked basmati rice, cooled
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
  • 14 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 14 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • fresh cilantro stem, for garnish

Method

  • To prepare vinaigrette:> Combine cilantro, green onions, ginger, shallots, garlic, sesame seeds, chile paste, honey, vinegar, soy sauce and oil in a medium bowl; whisk to mix well.
  • Set aside.
  • Vinaigrette can be prepared ahead to enhance flavors; whisk before serving.
  • (Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
  • ).
  • To prepare trout and rice: Stir together flour, cornstarch, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  • Dip trout in flour mixture, coating lightly but completely.
  • Heat about 1/8 inch oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; when oil is hot, add trout, skin side down, and fry about 2 minutes.
  • Turn and fry about 2 minutes more, until cooked through.
  • While fish is cooking, in a second skillet, combine rice, basil, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper to taste and butter; cook and stir until hot, about 5 minutes.
  • Mound the rice mixture in the center of 2 serving plates, creating as much height as possible.
  • Arrange trout on top of rice.
  • Ladle vinaigrette around rice; garnish with cilantro sprigs.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Refrigerate any remaining vinaigrette for later use.