tamarind paste (asam) • warm water • cooking oil • medium eggplants (cut to bite-size chunks) • okra (lady finger) (top trimmed) • tomato (cut to wedges) • pineapple (cut to bite-size chunks) • bulb of a torch ginger flower (sliced) • large whole fish head (preferably grouper, threadfin, or snapper) (cleaned) • salt, or to taste • pepper • dried chilli (soaked 30 minutes in warm water) •
threadfin head or fillet or any fish • cornstarch with 4 tbsp water mixture cornstarch • light soy sauce • shao xing rice wine • sugar or honey • pounded ginger