Halibut Or Other Fish Steamed In Banana Leaves Recipes

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.

STEAMED FISH IN BANANA LEAF

Steps:

• Prepare a bamboo steamer or a double boiler with a perforated insert. Fill bottom with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and simmer. Cover until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, to prepare fish: Season fish with salt and freshly cracked pepper on both sides. Lay banana leaves out. Place a fillet in the middle of each. Sprinkle with the garlic, and cumin seeds. Top with a lime leaf or grated zest. Wrap banana leaf around fish like a parcel and tie with butcher's twine.
• Steam fish until centre of fish is warm when a knife is inserted in the middle of fillet, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from steamer immediately and serve with Spicy Oil Drizzle.
• Place extra virgin olive oil, garlic, coriander, japalpeno and lime juice in a small saucepan. Warm gently on low heat until fish is ready. Do not heat rapidly! Drizzle over fish.

YUCATAN MARINATED HALIBUT GRILLED IN BANANA LEAVES WITH ORANGE-PINEAPPLE RELISH

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Whisk together juices, oil, and chili powders in a medium baking dish. Add the halibut and turn to coat. Marinate for 5 minutes.
• Remove the banana leaves from the water and shake off excess water. Place the leaves on a flat surface. Remove the halibut from the marinade, season with salt and pepper, and place 1 fillet in the center of each leaf. Wrap the banana leaf loosely around each fillet. Place the packets flat on the grill, close the cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until just cooked through. Carefully remove from the grill and serve the fish in the banana leaf, if desired. Serve fish with the Orange-Pineapple Relish.
• Whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, chile de arbol, honey, and oil in a medium bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.

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.

HALIBUT BAKED ON A FIG LEAF

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375°F. Wash the fig leaves, and put them on the table, shiny side up. Put the fish in the middle of each leaf. Oil the fish on both sides, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Fold up the fig leaf over the fish to make a package. Put the folded side down when you place it on a baking sheet or on the grill so that it will stay closed. If you're baking the fish, pour about 1/4 cup water on the baking sheet.
• Put the baking sheet with the four packages in the oven for about 10 minutes. (If grilling the fish, cook 3 to 4 minutes on one side, then turn it over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.) To see if it is done, open up one of the packages and look at the center of the fish. If it's white and flaky all through, it's done. Remember, it will continue to cook a bit after you take it out of the oven, so don't cook it too much. Put the packages on plates, and let each person open their own. It is good with a squeeze of lemon and a little extra salt.