Pla Pao
Pla Pao is a delicious low-carb Thai breakfast dish featuring grilled fish infused with fragrant herbs and spices, served with a zesty dipping sauce. This dish is not only flavorful but also provides a nutritious start to your day.

25 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Thai
250 kcal
Ingredients
- Whole fish (e.g., tilapia) - 400 grams
- Lemongrass - 2 stalks, finely chopped
- Fresh cilantro - 30 grams, chopped
- Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
- Kaffir lime leaves - 4 leaves, shredded
- Salt - 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
- Lime - 1, juiced
- Chili (fresh or dried) - 1, sliced (optional)
- Thai fish sauce - 1 tablespoon
- Coconut oil - 1 tablespoon for grilling
Steps
- Clean and gut the fish, then pat it dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix the chopped lemongrass, cilantro, minced garlic, shredded kaffir lime leaves, salt, and black pepper to create a herb mixture.
- Make shallow slashes on both sides of the fish and then rub the herb mixture all over and inside the fish, ensuring it's well-coated.
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush it with coconut oil.
- Place the fish on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes on each side, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- While the fish is grilling, prepare the dipping sauce by mixing lime juice, sliced chili (if using), and fish sauce in a small bowl.
- Once the fish is done, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the grilled fish hot with the dipping sauce on the side.
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart health.
Tags
ThaiLow CarbBreakfast