Asian Sea Bass Steamed In Banana Leaf Recipes

BANANA LEAF-WRAPPED CHILEAN SEABASS WITH PICKLED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• For the pickled red onions: In a medium saucepan over high heat, add the vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and 2 tablespoons salt. Mix well and add the beets and onions. Once it comes to a boil, stir to dissolve the sugar and salt then remove from the heat. Allow to cool then cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• For the grouper: In a small bowl, add the orange zest, juice, olive oil, ground achiote and cumin. Mix well to combine, then pour the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the grouper filets and seal the bag tightly, squeezing out any excess air from the bag. Gently mix around so the marinade coats the fish well. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.
• Clean the grill grates and preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Arrange 2 banana leaves to form a cross. Remove one piece of grouper from the marinade and place in the center of the leaves. Season with 4 to 5 turns freshly ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Wrap the fish up tightly in the banana leaves by folding over one flap at a time, alternating each side so they overlap. Secure the last folds of the leaves together with toothpicks to hold in place. Place the banana leaf-wrapped grouper on the grill, and cook until the leaves turn bright green and begin to char around the edges, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and set aside.
• To serve, cut open the banana leaves to expose the fish, add a large spoonful of Spicy Grilled Corn Salsa and garnish with the pickled red onions, chopped scallions and cilantro.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Place the corn on the grill and cook until well charred all over, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Drizzle the poblanos and fresnos with olive oil and season with 5 to 6 turns freshly ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Place the chilies on the grill and cook until lightly charred on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Place the chiles into a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to steam for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Hold a corn cob upright in a large mixing bowl. Using a chef's knife, cut off the kernels and let them fall into the bowl. Repeat with the remaining corn. Set aside the kernels. Discard the cobs.
• Remove the skins from the chiles. Mince the fresnos, dice the poblanos and add them to the bowl with the corn kernels. Add the red onions, scallions, lime zest, juice, garlic, agave and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHINESE STEAMED SEA BASS

Steps:

• Season sea bass with salt.
• Place 1/3 of the spring onions and ginger onto a glass or ceramic plate; cover with sea bass. Scatter remaining spring onions and ginger over the sea bass.
• Bring a wide pot of water to a boil. Set a rack inside the boiling water; place the plate of sea bass on top. Cover pot and steam until sea bass flakes easily with a fork, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour out any water that may have collected on the plate.
• Mix soy sauce, chile oil, and sugar together in a small bowl; pour over the sea bass before serving.

BANANA LEAF WRAPPED BASS WITH SCALLION-GINGER FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Add water to a medium pot, fitted with a steamer insert, and bring to a boil.
• Coat a large wok heavily with 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and heat until the oil is almost smoking. Meanwhile, season the eggs with salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the heated oil and stir vigorously until puffed and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the wok and set aside in a bowl. To the same wok, add another 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and heat until hot, then add the garlic, 2 tablespoons scallions and 1 tablespoon ginger and saute for 1 minute. Add the rice and eggs back in, mixing gently. Season with the tamari and sesame oil. Mix well to combine. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Lay a banana leaf on your work surface. Place about 1/4 cup cooled rice in the middle. Sprinkle a piece of fish on both sides with salt and pepper and place on top of the rice. Top with a few Thai basil sprigs. Fold the banana leaf and wrap tightly, similar to wrapping a sandwich in foil or plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining fish. Carefully place each piece of wrapped fish in a steamer insert, seam-side down. Add the tea leaves to the simmering water and set the filled steamer insert over the water and cover. Steam until the fish is cooked through, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, when is the fish has about 3 minutes left, heat the olive oil in a small saucepan.
• Cut the fish packets open with scissors, then top each pieces of fish with the remaining 2 tablespoons scallions and tablespoon ginger. Spoon the hot olive oil over the top of each piece of fish and serve.

STEAMED CATFISH IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Unfold banana leaves. Cut off and reserve tough center rib that runs along bottom edge of each leaf with kitchen shears. Cut ribs into 12-inch strips (you'll need 8) for tying packets. Gently cut leaves into 8 (10-inch) squares with shears, being careful not to split them (you may want to cut a few extra in case some split while folding). Gently wash banana leaf squares in a large pan of water, then pat dry.
• Heat oil in wok over moderate heat until warm, about 30 seconds, then cook curry paste, stirring constantly, until very fragrant and a shade darker, 1 to 2 minutes. Add stock and fish sauce and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring. Add fish and rice powder and stir-fry until outside of fish just turns white, 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer mixture to a bowl.
• Put a banana leaf square on a work surface, then put 1/3 cup fish curry in center of square and sprinkle with some of sliced Kaffir lime leaves. Fold 2 sides of banana leaf over fish to enclose it (be careful not to split leaf), then fold in opposite sides to form a packet. Tie packet with a strip of banana leaf rib and transfer to heatproof plate. Assemble 7 more packets in same manner, arranging in 1 layer on plate.
• Bring 1 inch water to a boil in wok fitted with steamer rack. Transfer plate with packets to steamer rack carefully and steam, covered with lid, 5 minutes. Serve packets warm or at room temperature.

FISH STEAMED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Add the chilli powder, turmeric, salt, sugar, mustard oil and green chillies to the fillets.
• Mix well to coat evenly.
• (Don't be afraid to use your hands.) Marinate fish for 20-30 mins.
• Now add the ground mustard and immediately wrap each fillet with a little extra marinade on top into individual pouches with the banana leaf.
• Steam for 20 mins in a steamer.
• Enjoy.

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.

CHINESE-STYLE STEAMED SEA BASS WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Rinse fish thoroughly under cold running water; remove any debris from the cavity with a spoon; pat dry. Season cavity with salt and pepper; stuff with ginger slices, 4 slices garlic, and the cilantro sprigs. Rub fish with 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put bok choy, mushrooms, two-thirds of scallions, remaining garlic, the grated ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Season with pepper, and toss.
• Transfer half of bok choy mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; place fish on top. Top with remaining bok choy mixture. Whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; drizzle over fish. Tightly cover pan with foil.
• Pour water to a depth of 1/4 inch in another 9-by-13-inch baking pan; bring to a boil on top of stove. Reduce heat; let simmer. Set pan with fish on top; steam until cooked through, 16 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a platter; garnish with remaining scallions and chopped cilantro. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil.

STEAMED SEA BASS WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Place the spring onions, ginger and chilli in a bowl and pour over the soy sauce and vinger.
• PLace the sea bass fillet, skinned sides up, on a board to make six small cuts into each fillet.
• place a banana lead or piece of baking parchment in the bottom of a a steamer basket and place a sea bass fillet on top. Spoon a quarter of the spring onion mixture over the fillet. Repeat with the remaining banana leaves and fillets. (If you have a large steamer you should be able to fit two leaves in the basket.
• Place the lid on the steamer and set over a saucepan of boiling water. Steam for 8-10 minutes, or until just cooked through, Keep warm and repeat with the remaining leaves and fillets, then serve immediately.