pla lat - 3 flavoured fish

A traditional treatment for fish that simply contrasts sweet, hot and 
sour flavour elements. 

Again this is traditionally cooked in a large deep wok, though unlike 
pla jian it is cooked at very high heat. Therefore I caution you to use 
a large skillet or an electric deep frier (though I have yet to see one 
of them that gets the oil hot enough for the full effect of this 
recipe). 

First the simple part: deep fry about a pound of mackerel or whiting, 
preferably with the heads on, in smoking hot peanut oil until the skin 
if crisp. 

Place it on a serving platter. 

--sauce ingredients
-- 

2 tablespoons of chopped shallots (purple onions) 
1 tablespoon of chopped garlic 
1 tablespoon prik ki nu daeng (red "birdseye" chillis), sliced 
2 tablespoons of fish sauce 
2 tablespoons of palm sugar 
2 tablespoons of lime juice 
2 tablespoons of fish stock 

--method:
-- 

In a small saucepan, saute the garlic and shallots in a little oil, then 
remove and set aside.  

Pour off the oil, leaving only a thin film on the pan. 

Return half the shallots and garlic to the pan, and add the other 
ingredients. Stir to dissolve the sugar and then simmer to thicken the 
sauce. 

Add the remaining shallots and garlic, stir until heated through, then 
pour it over the grilled fish.