Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
1/2 cup cold water
2 small shallots ( thinly sliced)
3 garlic cloves ( minced)
2 teaspoons finely chopped cilantro stems
1 tablespoon asian fish sauce
2 tablespoons whole Thai basil or 2 tablespoons regular basil
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 (6 ounce) red snapper fillets, with skin
2 scallions
1 -2 fresh red chilies
Directions:
In a small bowl combine water and tamarind and let stand for 10 minutes.
Strain this using a strainer and squeeze the tamarind gently to remove as much juice as possible.
To this tamarind water add the shallots, garlic cilantro stems, fish sauce, sugar and salt.
Simmer this sauce stirring occasionally until slightly thickened (about 2 minutes). Keep warm.
Preheat broiler.
Lightly brush a small rack of a broiler pan with oil and arrange the snapper fillets skin side down.
Season fillets with salt and broil 4 to f inches from the heat until just cooked through (about 7-8 minutes).
While fish is broiling, thinly slice the scallions and chillies.
Stir the whole basil leaves into sauce just before serving.
Serve the fish with sauce over it and garnish with scallions and chillies and basil leaves.
Servings: 4
Time preparation: 20 min.
Time total: 45 min.