Vietnamese Clay Pot Salmon (Ca Kho)

INGREDIENTS:

1. 2-3 salmon steaks
2. 3 tbs fish sauce
3. 1 tbs dark soy sauce
4. 1 tbs mirin
5. 2 tbs brown sugar
6. 1 tsp ginger minced
7. 3 cloves garlic minced
8. 2 large shallots minced
9. 2 stalks of green onion, chopped
10. white and or black pepper.
11. optional: coconut water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Marinate salmon in fish sauce, soy sauce, mirin, half the garlic/shallots/ginger. 20+ min. Remove fish and separate from marinade, wiping off any bits of aromatics.
2. In heavy pan/dutch oven/clay pot – heat oil and add 2 tbs brown sugar, stir until caramelized and brown in color.
3. Quickly sear salmon on both sides until browned. Remove from pan.
4. Add aromatics back in. Quickly stir until fragrant. Add fish back along with marinade. Add 1 cup of water or coconut water. Braise on medium low heat for 10 min. Uncover for 5 min to reduce liquid,
5. Top with green onions, few cranks of black pepper, and serve.