Grilled Catfish with Noodles (Cha Ca)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla)
• 1.5 cups barbecue sauce 
• 6 oz bean sprouts rinsed
• 0.5 teaspoon ground pepper 
• 6 cups rice noodles cooled cooked ()
• 1 tablespoon curry powder red yellow (see notes)
• 0.5 cup cilantro leaves fresh rinsed
• 0.5 cup optional: dill fresh chopped
• 0.5 cup mint leaves fresh rinsed
• 2 cloves garlic minced pressed peeled
• 0.3 cup spring onion thinly sliced (including tops)
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger 
• 1 teaspoon turmeric 
• 8 oz lettuce rinsed
• 0.5 cup roasted peanuts salted chopped
• 2 tablespoons salad oil 
• 0.3 cup shallots minced
• 0.5 cup shallots 
• 36 oz tilapia 

Equipment

• bowl
• grill

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix minced shallots, fish sauce, curry powder, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and garlic. Rinse fish and pat dry. Rub shallot mixture all over fillets and stack in a bowl. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
2. Brush both sides of fillets lightly with oil.
3. Place fish on a grill 4 to 6 inches above a solid bed of hot coals or over high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 2 to 3 seconds); cover gas grill. Cook fish, turning once, until barely opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), 4 to 8 minutes total.
4. Serve hot or cool.
5. Meanwhile, divide lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, and cilantro among six deep, wide bowls. Mound noodles equally over vegetables and herbs.
6. Lay a grilled fish fillet on each mound of noodles.
7. Sprinkle peanuts, green onions, dill, and Fried Shallots equally over the top.
8. Serve with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce to drizzle over portions to taste.