Banana Leaf Steamed Bass W Cilantro Chutney Recipes

GRILLED FISH WITH CILANTRO CHUTNEY IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Make chutney:
• Finely chop ginger, garlic, chile, and coconut in a food processor. Add cilantro and mint and process until chopped. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt and blend chutney well.
• Prepare fish:
• Cut banana leaves into 6 sheets (12 by 10 inches each). Arrange in a stack with a short side nearest you.
• Season fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Spread 1 slightly rounded tablespoon cilantro chutney on top of a fillet, then invert onto center of a banana leaf, arranging fillet crosswise. Spread another slightly rounded tablespoon of chutney on top of fish. Fold bottom edge of leaf over fish and fold in sides over fish, then fold package away from you, enclosing fish. Tie package (in both directions) with a 24-inch piece of kitchen string. Repeat with remaining fillets, chutney, and banana leaves.
• Grill fish, turning over once, until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes (untie 1 package to check doneness). Cut string before serving and transfer packages to 6 plates. The banana leaves are inedible, but we think they make a nice presentation.

BANANA LEAF STEAMED BASS W CILANTRO CHUTNEY

Steps:

• 1. For the Chutney Place all ingredients in food processor and process until well combined. Place in refrigerator and leave for 2 hours for flavors to meld.
• 2. Lay out the banana leaves and cut into 4 pieces. Brush each piece with olive oil. Lay 2 filet on each banana leaf then add salt and pepper. Place the one filet on top of the other one. Cover the top with some of the Chutney. Wrap the banana leaf around the fish opposite side to opposite side to make a square sealed package. Secure with toothpicks Repeat until you have 4 packages
• 3. I used a bamboo steamer. Bring a pot of water to a boil Top the pot with a bamboo steamer. If you have a double one place two packages in each one or steam in batches. Steam for 20 minutes if you have a double steamer half way through switch the baskets so the top one is on the bottom.

HALIBUT OR OTHER FISH STEAMED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Put at least 2 inches of water in the bottom of a steamer. Soak the banana leaves in hot water until soft, just a few seconds.
• Toss together the fish, garlic, ginger, nam pla, sugar, and cayenne. Put a piece of the seasoned fish in the center of each of the banana leaves and top with shallot, cilantro, and a light sprinkling of salt. Fold in the sides of the leaves and seal shut with toothpicks or skewers.
• Steam for about 15 minutes, or until the fish is done (peek into one of the packages to check). Be careful of the steaming liquid when removing the packages. Remove each of the fish pieces from its package before serving and spoon some of the juices over it.
• Lemongrass Halibut (or Other Fish) Steamed in Banana Leaves
• In step 2, toss the fish with 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and the nam pla and sugar. Put it in the packages as directed and top with the shallots, 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives or scallion, and 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, preferably Thai basil. Seal and steam as directed.

STEAMED WILD STRIPED BASS WITH COCONUT RICE AND APPLE-BANANA CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Cut 4 to 6 shallow slits into the skin side of each fish fillet. Place 4 large squares of plastic wrap on a flat surface and sprinkle the center of each with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Lay a piece of fish, skin-side up, on each square. Top each with another 1/2 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the garlic among the fish, pressing into the slits. Sprinkle each piece with a pinch of cinnamon and cloves. Loosely wrap the fish in the plastic and refrigerate.
• In a large pan with a lid, combine the rice, rice milk, coconut cream, shredded coconut, bay leaves, chili and 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon regular salt). Let sit for 30 minutes, then cover the pan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 17 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the chives.
• Meanwhile, to make the chutney, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the butter to a sauté pan. Place over medium heat and, when hot, add the onion, curry powder and turmeric. Cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the apple and banana and cook 2 minutes longer, until the apple is soft around the edges but still crisp. Transfer the chutney to a serving bowl.
• Fill a saucepan large enough to hold a steamer basket with 1 inch of water. Bring to a simmer. Place the wrapped fish in the basket. Lower the basket into the pan and cover. Steam the fish for 5 minutes, turn the pieces and steam until just cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
• To serve, remove the plastic from the fish. Spread the rice on a large platter, top with the fish and its cooking juices and serve with the chutney on the side.

BOMBAY FISH STEAMED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Mince garlic and, wearing protective gloves, mince serranos. In a blender purée all sauce ingredients until smooth.
• If using banana leaves, cut away ribs and in a large bowl of hot water soften leaves 1 minute to help keep them from splitting. Cut six 8-inch squares from leaves. On a work surface arrange 1 leaf square and pat dry. Spread 1 teaspoon herb sauce down middle of square to equal length of a piece of fish and arrange piece, skin side down, on sauce. Spread 1 tablespoon sauce over piece. Fold top and bottom edges of leaf over piece and fold sides of leaf over piece, enclosing it. Arrange packet, seam sides down, in a bamboo steamer or on a large steamer rack. Make 5 more packets in same manner and arrange in steamer or on rack.
• Steam packets over boiling water, covered, until fish is just cooked through, about 8 minutes. Serve fish immediately.