Banana Leaf Wrapped Snapper Recipes

BANANA-LEAF-WRAPPED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat.
• Place oil, tamarind pulp, nuoc nam, garlic, shallots, chile, turmeric, shrimp paste, lemongrass, sugar, ginger, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until a smooth paste is formed.
• Place banana leaves on the grill for about 2 seconds to make them more pliable. Using tongs, transfer them to a work surface. Trim tops and bottoms of each leave and place a fish fillet in the center of each leaf. Evenly divide the oil mixture between each fillet and spread over fish in an even layer.
• Working with one fish at a time, fold one side of the leaf over the fish, then the other, then fold in ends. Repeat process until all fillets are wrapped. Wrap banana-leaf-wrapped fish in aluminum foil.
• Place foil-wrapped fish on grill and grill, turning once, until a metal skewer or sharp, thin-bladed knife inserted into the center of the fish comes out hot, 5 to 6 minutes per side.
• Carefully unwrap fish from foil and place each banana-leaf-wrapped fillet on a plate; serve immediately with lime wedges.

RED SNAPPER GRILLED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Combine the cilantro, mint, chiles, ginger, scallion, coconut, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender and pulse to make a coarse paste. Add the coconut milk, lime juice, vegetable oil and fish sauce and blend to make a smooth, slightly thick sauce. Season with salt. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Make the fish: Preheat a grill to medium high. Lay the banana leaves on a work surface, overlapping each about halfway, so the leaves are large enough to wrap around the fish, with the tail and head sticking out slightly. Lightly brush the banana leaves with vegetable oil. Cut three 24-inch pieces of kitchen twine and run under water to moisten (this will prevent the twine from burning on the grill).
• Make 2 or 3 slits crosswise on each side of the fish, cutting about 1/2 inch into the flesh. Season the fish inside and out with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt total. Stuff the lime and ginger slices, chiles, and cilantro and mint sprigs into the cavity of the fish. Set the fish at one short end of the banana leaves and roll it up, leaving the head and tail sticking out, then tie together in 3 places with the kitchen twine.
• Once the grill registers 425˚ F to 450˚ F, grill the fish until the banana leaves are charred, about 12 minutes. Flip and grill until the fish is cooked through, 12 to 14 more minutes. (Because the fish is wrapped, it is difficult to test for doneness. The juices will run clear from the head and gills when poked.) Let the fish rest 5 minutes, then untie and remove the banana leaves. Lift the flesh from the bones and serve with the cilantro-mint sauce.

GRILLED SNAPPER IN BANANA LEAF: PEPES IKAN KAKAP

Steps:

• Tamarind water, to soften, or substitute with the juice of 2 lemons
• In a bowl season the fish with salt, pepper, lime juice, and betutu paste.
• On a sheet tray, lay down the banana leaf. Place a salam leaf on the banana leaf. Place the fish on the middle of the banana leaf over the salam leaf. Place sliced green tomatoes, lime leaf, sweet basil, and tamarind water on the fish. Season with salt and pepper.
• Wrap the fish folding both ends together and secure with a bamboo skewer. Grill until cooked, approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the fillets.
• Grind shallots, garlic, tumeric, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, chili peppers, palm sugar, and shrimp paste in a food processor. Saute paste with coconut oil.