Once in a while, as a break from broiled, backed, or fried fish, steamed fish is the go-to dish. Simple to prepare, and quite healthy. I’ve discovered that, with an Asian flair, it does the trick. A little soy sauce, a little fresh ginger and you’ve got yourself a marvelous meal. The recipe given below follows this trend. For a dish such as this, rice is the usual accompaniment. This time around I served it with soba (or buckwheat) noodles; but you can use whatever pasta, or grain, desired. The fancy-dan foodies called it fusion cooking.

Note that it’s best to cook the noodles while fish is steaming (and ginger sauce is being prepared) and combine everything at the end.

GINGER STEAMED FISH

4 cod, halibut, striped bass (or any flaky white fish) steaks or fillets, 4 to 6 oz.  each
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/4 cup sesame seeds
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 scallions, sliced, for garnish
12 ounces soba/buckwheat noodles, cooked according to package directions

1. Bring about 2 inches of water to a boil in a regular or bamboo steamer. If you don’t have a steamer, set four mugs upside down in a large pot, add water, and place a large heatproof dish on top. Place four portions of fish on plate or steamer, cover and bring water to a boil. Steam fish until tender (about 5-6 minutes per inch of fish).
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine ginger, garlic and sesame seeds. Heat oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add ginger mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add sesame oil and soy sauce and cook 1 minute more.
3. Place noodles on a serving platter. Add fish on top; and pour sauce over fish and noodles. Garnish with scallions and serve.
    Yield: 4 servings.