(Ngar Si Byan)

SERVES 4 – 6

Although Myanmar has a long coastline, touching the Andaman Sea, the Burmese eat much more freshwater fish than saltwater. This recipe works well with either type; buy whatever is freshest at the market that day.

1 árbol or other hot dried red chile, stemmed
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 small yellow onions, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2" piece ginger, peeled and chopped
2 plum tomatoes, cored and finely chopped
1 tsp. sweet paprika
1⁄4 tsp. ground turmeric
1 lb. thick, skinless, boneless, firm white-fleshed fish
   such as catfish, grouper, or cod, cut into 1" pieces
6 green bird's-eye chiles, stemmed
2 tbsp. fish sauce
Salt
1⁄2 bunch cilantro, trimmed

1. Finely crush dried chile with a mortar and pestle and set aside.

2. Heat oil in a wok or a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and stir-fry until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, tomatoes, paprika, turmeric, and crushed dried chiles and stir-fry until tomatoes become saucy and oil rises to the surface, about 5 minutes.

3. Add fish and fresh chiles to wok and stir-fry until fish begins to turn opaque, 2–3 minutes. Add fish sauce, 2 tbsp. water, and salt to taste and simmer, stirring occasionally, until fish is cooked through, 4–5 minutes. Adjust seasonings. Serve at room temperature, garnished with cilantro.