Gone Amok!

Amok Fish that is. 

Wiki explanation of Amok: 
"In a typical case of running amok, a male who has shown no previous sign of anger or any inclination to violence will acquire a weapon and, in a sudden frenzy, will attempt to kill or seriously injure anyone he encounters. Amok episodes of this kind normally end with the attacker being killed by bystanders, or committing suicide."  .......wow 

Why the hell anyone calls this savory, yummy in my tummy, Amok, remains a mystery.                   

   

But I must have been in some kind of frenzy because I, yes me, myself and I, decided to cook (you heard me right) this dish of steamed curried fish through the guide of the chefs at the Angkor Palm Restaurant in Siem Reap, Kampuchea.  For $7.50 US dollars, you are escorted to the local market (vegetarians beware as all kinds of meats and beasts splay in autopsy display, never mind the breathtaking aroma), provided ingredients, taught the identities of a mind-boggling array of spices, and then allowed to butcher and saute your fish gone crazy to the delight of your Cambodian chef mentors.  Great fun. 

A traditional Cambodian and Thai dish, Amok Fish is coated in a thick coconut milk with kroeung (a distinguishable Khmer herb paste), made with essential noni leaves and fingerroot and finally either steamed or baked in a cup made from banana leaves.  When I tried my very own delicacy, the fish was soft, completely covered in yellowish curry, a little gritty but very, very tasteful.  I really enjoyed it and not least because I spent my blood, sweat and tears over it. 

And for those of you who have never tried it: What the Morning Glory! I never ate veggies growing up but if I was Cambodian eating the Glory how healthy I would have been. emm, eeemmm, good. Morning Glory consists of a green leafy vegetable that when cooked resembles flat, large, greasy sliced scallions. Its cooked in an oyster sauce with garlic and pork is optional. I cannot describe how flavorful the MG is but I can say that I could simply just eat a plate full of Morning Glory (with a side of Coke) and be done with it. Hallelujah to the vegetable!

                                                Voila! Gourmet Amok Fish w/ Morning Glory

                                  

After dinner theater: Khmer Classical Dance