Evergreen Explorer Magazine

Blessed by the MEKONG MONKS Fish Amok This delicious curry is a classic Cambodian dish. The fish is delicately steamed with coconut cream, galangal ginger and banana leaves, and served with rice. Some ingredients may be tricky to find but well worth the hunt for this delectable meal. INGREDIENTS 2 to 4 banana leaves 3 cloves of garlic, minced 2 star anise 2 stems lemongrass cores, grated 2 tbspn galangal ginger, grated 1 tbspn turmeric (fresh or powdered) 4 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced 2 eshallots, finely chopped 1 tbspn vegetable oil 2 long red chilli, finely chopped 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced 2 tbspn fish sauce 1 tbspn sugar (raw or palm) 1 tsp chicken stock powder salt to taste 300g firm fish fillets, cubed (eg. snapper or blue-eye) 375ml coconut cream +25ml garnish METHOD 1. Blend together lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, garlic. lime leaves and eshallots to form a rough paste. 2. Cut each banana leaf into large rectangles. Carefully wave both sides of each leaf over a medium flame to soften the leaves. Lay each banana leaf out, fold in the ends, secure with toothpicks to form a bowl. 3. Heat a medium pot, add oil to coat the base add chillis. Add spice paste and star anise. Sauté until arromatic. Stir in fish sauce, sugar, chicken stock powder, salt and capsicum. Add coconut cream. 4. Remove from heat and place mixture in prepared leaf bowls. Add fish fillets to mixture and top up with remaining coconut cream. 5. Steam over rapid boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with capsicum and lime leaf slices. Serve hot with rice. The Mekong River and Delta is a vibrant and colourful region overflowing with an intriguing lifestyle and culture. In Cambodia's modern-day society, Buddhist monks play an important part in this culture, strengthening and promoting social morality. This community of monks help the population by administering religious guidance each day. As part of the Evergreen 'You're Invited' program, you have the unique opportunity to receive a Buddhist water blessing at Wat Hanchey. What is it? The offering of water at Buddhist shrines symbolises the aspiration to cultivate the virtues of calmness, clarity and purity of the body, words and mind. It reminds us to cleanse ourselves of our spiritual impurities through generosity, compassion and wisdom. Upon perfection of these qualities, enlightenment will be realised. What happens? When taking part in a water blessing ceremony, you can be sprinkled lightly with water or you may participate in a more elaborate ritual, where you will be saturated in the water blessed by the monks (whilst wearing a sarong) and receive a special red wrist tie from them to signify the blessing. It is said this blessing brings peace and happiness. What does it mean? In Buddhism, the colour red holds tremendous significance. It is a symbol of life force, preservation, compassion, fire, and sacred things or places. Red also represents fearlessness, courage and bravery. It rules the 'tongue' portion of the body. Wearing the red string is a reminder that one must show compassion to all. It's a good reminder that words can cut deeper than the sword. The traditional practice where the monk ties a knot in the cord and blows a mantra into it is said to allow you to take your teacher with you, even after they are long gone. Some guests felt they gained a sense of selflessness, reflection and purification. Even our General Manager has felt a renewed sense of order following his water blessing experience. Source: lifepart2.com, journoandthejoker.com, pharecircus.org and thetattooedbuddha.com Buddhist monk receiving a water blessing Explorer Magazine | 12

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