Banana Leaf Wrapped Bass With Scallion Ginger Fried Rice 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.

BANANA-LEAF-WRAPPED GROUPER WITH CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Toast curry powder in a dry skillet over medium heat, swirling constantly, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Let cool.
• Puree garlic, chopped scallion, ginger, fish sauce, agave, coconut milk, lime juice, and 3/4 teaspoon toasted curry powder in a small food processor until smooth.
• Cut out four 10-by-12-inch rectangles from banana leaves or parchment; wipe leaves with a damp towel. With 1 long edge of each rectangle facing you, lay a fillet lengthwise in center of each, about 1 1/2 inches from bottom. Season each with salt and remaining toasted curry powder, and top with 1 tablespoon curry sauce. Fold short sides of rectangle over fish, then fold up bottom edge. Fold top edge over packet, and tuck underneath. (Don't worry if leaves tear a little.)
• Place 2 packets in each layer of a 2-layer bamboo steamer or all 4 in a stainless steel steamer. Fill a large pot with 1 to 2 inches water, and place steamer in pot. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover, and steam until fish is just cooked through, 10 to 11 minutes, rotating layers halfway through if using bamboo steamer. Remove from steamer, unwrap, and blot excess liquid from the leaves or parchment with paper towels. Drizzle fish with remaining sauce. Top with tomatoes, sliced scallions, and cilantro, and serve each on a banana leaf or parchment with a lime wedge.

SCALLION-GINGER FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Finely chop enough scallions to measure about 3 cups. Rinse bean sprouts and trim stringy root ends if desired.
• Make seasoning liquid:
• In a small bowl stir together seasoning liquid ingredients.
• Spread rice in a shallow baking pan and separate grains with a fork.
• In a deep 12-inch heavy non-stick skillet heat corn or safflower oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and stir-fry scallions and gingerroot until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add bean sprouts and rice wine or sake and stir-fry until sprouts begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir seasoning liquid and add to fried rice, tossing to coat evenly.

QUICK OVEN ROASTED GINGER SCALLION LIME SEA BASS

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 500°F.
• Mix first 5 ingredients and 3 tsp of oil. Season with pepper or salt if needed.
• Brush oven proof glass dish with 2 tsp oil.
• Arrange fish in dish.
• Spoon sauce over fish, leaving enough to drizzle over when serving.
• Roast fish for 12 minutes until opaque.
• Top with remaining sauce.