Banana Leaf Wrapped Halibut Recipes

BANANA LEAF MAHI MAHI WITH CITRUS AND CHILES

Steps:

• Put the chiles in a bowl, cover with boiling water and soak until pliable, about 15 minutes. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the soaking liquid, then drain the chiles.
• Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, oregano and cumin and cook until the onion is soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender along with the reserved chile soaking liquid, the chiles, orange juice, lime juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; blend until smooth.
• Unfold the banana leaves and cut into six 12-inch-long pieces; rinse and pat dry. Place a banana leaf shiny-side down on a work surface. Coat the fish generously with the pureed chile mixture. Place 1 mahi mahi fillet in the center of the leaf and top with a slice each of orange and lime. Fold 2 opposite ends of the leaf over the fish, overlapping them to tightly enclose the fish, then tuck the open ends underneath. Transfer to a large roasting pan or baking dish. Repeat to make 5 more banana leaf-wrapped fillets, then transfer the pan to the refrigerator and let the fish marinate 1 to 3 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the pan from the refrigerator and cover tightly with foil. Bake until the fish is just cooked through, opening a packet to check for doneness, about 35 minutes. Transfer to plates and carefully unwrap just before eating.

BANANA LEAF-WRAPPED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Preheat barbeque to 375 F (190 C).
• Spread out banana leaf squares. Sprinkle a layer of shallots on the leaf squares and lay 1 fillet in the middle of each square. Sprinkle top of fillets with shallots. Top each portion with 1 tablespoon of butter, sprinkle with chives and drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper.
• Fold sides of leaves to enclose fillet and secure with toothpicks or tie with a thin strand of banana leaf.
• Brush grill with oil.
• Lay the packages on the grill and cook for 6 minutes, turn carefully with a spatula and cook 6 minutes longer, or until leaves are slightly charred.
• Remove from grill.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges and Banana Salsa (see recipe).
• Note: Cooking times and temperatures will vary depending on the size and type of your barbeque.

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.

TAMALES WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover pork with water and add 1 garlic clove, 1 onion quarter and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until the pork is tender, 45-60 minutes. Shred the meat, reserving the stock.
• Heat a comal or iron skillet over medium heat. Place the chiles in the hot skillet, using a spatula to press them against it slightly. Turn them so that both sides begin to change color. This will take 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Place the chiles in a bowl, cover with warm water and soak for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the tomatoes on a comal or griddle and grill until the skin is charred. Alternatively, put the tomatoes in a baking pan lined with foil and broil until skin is blackened, turning once. Peel and purée in a blender.
• Roast the other onion quarter, 2 cloves garlic, marjoram, peppercorns and cloves. Drain the chiles and transfer to a blender. Add the roasted onion, garlic, marjoram, peppercorns, cloves and 1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) of reserved stock, then purée until smooth.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the lard in a skillet and sauté the chile purée in it for 5 minutes. Add the puréed tomatoes and sauté for another 5 minutes; add the pork, stir and cover. Lower the heat and cook for 10 minutes.
• Hold the banana leaf directly over the heat for 5 seconds. Cut into 5-in (13 cm) squares.
• Knead the masa with 2 tablespoons (1 oz/30 g) of the lard for 5 minutes.
• Use the remaining lard to grease one side of the banana leaf. Place 3-in (7.5-cm) square of masa on the lard and top with 1 1/2 tablespoons of pork mixture.
• Fold the opposite edges of the leaf toward the center, then do the same with the same outer edges to form a closed rectangle. To secure tie the tamales with narrow strips of leaf.
• Place 2 cups (16 oz fl oz/500 ml) water in a pressure cooker, then cover the steamer basket with a layer of flattened banana leaves. Add the tamales to the steamer basket and cover with another layer of leaves. Place the lid on the pan and cook 20 minutes. If you use an ordinary steamer, follow the same procedure but use 4 cups (32 fl oz/1 L) water and cook for 1 hour.
• Serve warm, with frijoles refritos (refried beans).