Motuo (Fish and Greens in Coconut Milk)

Name: Motuo (Fish and Greens in Coconut Milk)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Solomon Islands
Ingredients: 4 fresh fish fillets; 2 cups slippery cabbage or spinach, chopped; 1 1/2 cups coconut milk; 1 onion, sliced; 1 thumb ginger, grated; Banana leaves for wrapping; Salt to taste

4 servings20 min prep30 min cookMedium Solomon Islands

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Motuo (Fish and Greens in Coconut Milk)

Motuo, fish and greens simmered in coconut milk, reflects the coastal subsistence cooking found throughout the Solomon Islands, built around reef fish and leafy greens like slippery cabbage. It's a dish passed down through generations rather than tied to any single documented origin.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

4 fresh fish fillets
2 cups slippery cabbage or spinach, chopped
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1 onion, sliced
1 thumb ginger, grated
Banana leaves for wrapping
Salt to taste

Instructions

1Season the fish fillets lightly with salt.
2Lay a large piece of banana leaf flat and place a bed of chopped greens in the center.
3Top the greens with a fish fillet, some onion, and grated ginger.
4Pour a few tablespoons of coconut milk over the fish and greens.
5Fold the banana leaf tightly around the filling to form a sealed parcel, securing with twine or skewers.
6Steam the parcels over simmering water, or bake at 180C (350F), for 25-30 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
7Unwrap carefully and serve hot with the coconut milk juices spooned over.

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