Ca Kho to (Vietnamese Fish in Caramel Sauce)

This is an authentic Vietnamese fish dish. I have to admit that the first time I heard of fish with caramel sauce, I thought that it sounded like an awful combination! Boy, was I wrong! It is delicious and very unique-- the flavors actually work very well. Soooo good!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons fish sauce
• 1  tablespoon brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon honey
• 1  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3  large  cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3  shallots, finely minced
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄2 cup coconut milk
• 1 1⁄2 lbs  catfish, filet (can substitute with halibut, striped bass, or pacific flounder)

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix the fish sauce, brown sugar, honey, pepper, garlic and shallots.
2. In a dutch oven, melt the sugar and cook until golden brown. Add the water. Add the coconut milk and stir. Add the fish and the contents of the bowl. Reduce heat to medium low, cover, and let simmer for at least ½ hour to 45 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the fish over so that both sides soak in the sauce. Add more coconut milk if the sauce starts to dry out. Before serving, take off the lid so that the sauce can thicken a bit. Serve immediately with jasmine rice.