1 small red onion, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
3cm piece ginger, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon chopped coriander root
2 small red chillies, seeded and roughly chopped
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
3 teaspoons ground cumin
¼ cup coconut cream
1 teaspoon salt flakes
2 large banana leaves (see notes)
1 x 900g Morwong, scaled, gilled and gutted
1 lime, sliced
Wooden toothpicks or kitchen twine

 

Tomato & Onion Salad
3 small tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 small red onion, diced
⅓ cup coriander leaves
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Place the onion, garlic, ginger, coriander root, chillies, turmeric, cumin, coconut cream and salt in a blender and puree until it forms a smooth paste.

Rinse the belly cavity of the fish, rub away any black lining and pat dry with paper towel. Cut several deep slashes into the thickest part of both sides of the fish.

Blanch banana leaves in boiling water for about 1 minute, until soft and pliable. Spread them out on a flat surface, overlapping slightly. Place the fish in the centre and spread the paste all over ensuring the slashes are filled and the fish is covered. Arrange the lime slices in the belly cavity and wrap the fish in the banana leaves securing with toothpicks or kitchen twine.

Cook the fish for 10 minutes on one side, turn and cook for a further 6-8 minutes, until the flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Place fish on a serving platter, undo the banana leaves and spoon the tomato and onion salad over the top, serve immediately.