Pla nung khing sai het
(steamed fish with ginger and mushrooms)

Traditionally this is prepared with the fish known in the West as a 
pomfret, but any similar (flat) fish will do. 

This is steamed, and as such is best done in a bamboo steamer, because 
in a metal steamer condensation on the lid drips onto the food, and 
marks it, spoiling the appearance, and also possibly affecting the 
cooking process (fish is best steamed in "dry" steam). If you use a 
metal steamer you should cover the fish with a paper towel which is not 
in contact with the fish. Alternatively you can cook this dish in a 
microwave, using low to medium power. 

Clean the fish and score the sides with several cuts to allow the 
marinade to penetrate. 

The traditional recipe calls for phak kaat dong (pickled chinese 
cabbage). In the highly likely event that you don't have this to hand, 
the best substitute is probably pickled red cabbage. 

--marinade ingredients:
-- 

1 large field mushroom, thinly sliced, 
2 tablespoons grated ginger 
2 tablespoons phak kaat dong, thinly sliced (see above) 
1 tablespoon prik chi fa daeng, sliced (red jalapeno) 
2 scallions/spring onions/green onions, finely sliced 
2 tablespoons of fish sauce 
1 tablespoon light soy sauce 
1 tablespoon kapi (shrimp paste) 
1 teaspoon prik thai (ground black pepper) 
1 tablespoon whiskey (optional, but if omitted, add 1 tablespoon fish 
stock) 

--method
-- 

mix the marinade ingredients and rub them into the fish, leaving it to 
marinade for about an hour in a cool place. 

Transfer the fish, and the marinade, on a dish large enough to hold it, 
to a bamboo steamer (see note above), and steam for about 20-25 minutes 
(if microwaving, cook until the flesh adjacent to the bones is cooked, 
allowing it to rest for 1 minute after each 3 minutes cooking before 
testing).