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Mother of Perpetual Help Parish
2121 W. Apollo Road
Garland TX  75044

Serves Four

INGREDIENTS:

• 30ml/2 tablespoon (tbsp) sugar
• 15ml/1 tbsp sesame or vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 45ml/3 tbsp nuoc mam (fish sauce)
• 350g/12oz catfish fillet, cut diagonally into 2 or 3 pieces
• 4 spring onions (scallions), cut into bitesize pieces
• Ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh coriander (cilantro), to garnish
• fresh bread or steamed rice, to serve

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the sugar in a clay pot or heavy pan, and add 15ml / 1 tablespoon water to wet it.  Heat the sugar until it begins to turn golden brown, then add the oil and crushed garlic.
2. Stir the nuoc mam into the caramel mixture and add 120ml / 4fl oz / ½ cup boiling water, then toss in the catfish pieces, making sure they are well coated with the sauce.  Cover the pot, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Remove the lid, season with ground black pepper and gently stir in the spring onions (hanh la).  Simmer for a further 3-4 minutes to thicken the sauce, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve immediately straight from the pot with chunks of fresh bread or steamed rice.