Steamed Whole Fish

This light and healthy steamed whole fish recipe is part of

"Martha Stewart's Cooking School."

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 fresh whole firm-flesh fish, such as red snapper, black bass, striped bass, or flounder (2 1/2 to 3 pounds and about 2 1/2 inches at the thickest part), cleaned and scaled.

• 2 large lemongrass stalks (2 ounces), woody ends removed, split lengthwise

• 1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves plus, sprigs for garnish

• 1 piece (2 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and cut into julienne to yield 1/4 cup

• 1 to 2 limes, zested (2 tbls) and each lime halved

• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced lengthwise

• 4 scallions, julienned

• 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare fish: Fit a wire rack in the bottom of a large roasting pan, add about 1 inch of water. Place pan over two burners on stove and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. Meanwhile, rinse fish well inside and out, scraping off any loose scales, and pat dry.

3. Tuck the cilantro, half of the lemongrass, and a third of the ginger inside the cavity. Scatter the remaining lemongrass and ginger along with the lime zest, garlic, and half of the scallion over the top of the fish and around the platter. Squeeze half of 1 lime over the fish and drizzle with fish sauce. (Reserve remaining scallion for garnish.)

4. Steam fish: Set the platter on the rack in the pan and cover the pan tightly with parchment-lined foil. Steam over medium-high heat until the fish is cooked throughout, about 10 minutes per inch of thickness (25 minutes for a 2 1/2-inch-thick fish). Test by inserting a sharp knife into the flesh near the backbone; the flesh should be opaque and offer little resistance.

5. Garnish with scallion and cilantro and serve immediately.