Nuoc mam

Only 7 sleeps to go until we head off and I'm browsing the web for a better understanding of our destination.

Did you know that the island of Phu Quoc produces something like 10 million litres of fish sauce annually! The anchovies are mixed with salt at the rate 7:3 in huge 10-ton barrels. That's a lot of anchovies!!


Over on Asia Food I found this yummy looking Garlic, Chilli and Fish Sauce (Nuoc Cham)...

2 ripe red chillies
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
1 lemon
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon water
4 tablespoons fish sauce

Cut off stalks from chillies, split down the centre and remove seeds and centre membrane. Cut into pieces, and pound using a mortar and pestle* together with peeled garlic. Add sugar. Peel lemon, removing all the white pith. Slice and remove seeds. Add a small piece at a time to the chillies and pound to a pulp. Stir in the vinegar, water and fish sauce. Serve in a small bowl and use in small quantities.