Monkfish Wrapped In Banana Leaves With Ginger Cilantro Chile And Coconut Milk Recipes

BACON-WRAPPED MONKFISH

Steps:

• Lay 1 monkfish tail fillet on a board, sprinkle with thyme leaves and season. Lay the other fillet on top with tapering tip in the opposite direction, so each end has one thick and one thin end butted together.
• Lay the bacon on a board, slightly overlapping and put the monkfish in the centre. Wrap the fish in the rashers so that it holds together quite firmly.
• Heat the grill for 3-5 mins. Line the grill pan, lay the monkfish on it, with the bacon joins underneath.
• Grill for about 7-10 mins until the bacon starts to crisp, then carefully turn over and cook for another 7-10 mins. At the same time, grill the tomato halves. As soon as the monkfish feels firm when pressed on top, remove and leave to stand for 5 mins. Save any pan juices from the paper and drizzle into the vinaigrette. Cut the monkfish into medallions, slightly on the diagonal. Dress the watercress salad with the vinaigrette and juices and divide between four plates. Place monkfish on top, season with pepper and serve tomatoes alongside. Nice with baby new potatoes.

BAKED FISH WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Cut fish into large pieces, wash and pat dry. Salt and set aside.
• Mix the garlic, chillies, coriander leaves, coconut, lime or lemon juice, tamarind, sugar, cumin and salt into a paste and smear over fish. Let marinate 1 hour.
• Grease foil (if using) with ghee. Place a piece of fish on a banana leaf or foil piece and fold so fish is encased.
• Coat an oven-safe dish with ghee and place wrapped fish pieces into the dish. Cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.
• Unwrap one piece of fish to check if it's cooked through and cook until finished.

GRILLED FISH WITH CILANTRO CHUTNEY IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Make chutney:
• Finely chop ginger, garlic, chile, and coconut in a food processor. Add cilantro and mint and process until chopped. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt and blend chutney well.
• Prepare fish:
• Cut banana leaves into 6 sheets (12 by 10 inches each). Arrange in a stack with a short side nearest you.
• Season fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Spread 1 slightly rounded tablespoon cilantro chutney on top of a fillet, then invert onto center of a banana leaf, arranging fillet crosswise. Spread another slightly rounded tablespoon of chutney on top of fish. Fold bottom edge of leaf over fish and fold in sides over fish, then fold package away from you, enclosing fish. Tie package (in both directions) with a 24-inch piece of kitchen string. Repeat with remaining fillets, chutney, and banana leaves.
• Grill fish, turning over once, until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes (untie 1 package to check doneness). Cut string before serving and transfer packages to 6 plates. The banana leaves are inedible, but we think they make a nice presentation.

MONKFISH WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAVES WITH GINGER, CILANTRO, LIME, AND CHILI

Steps:

• • To make the banana leaves more pliable, hold for a few seconds over a gas flame. • Leaving aside the fish and herb sticks, pound the rest of the ingredients in a pestle and mortar to make a thick paste and spoon a little onto each banana leaf. • Place the fish on top and then spoon the rest of the paste on the top. Bringing the sides in and spiking it with a rosemary sprig or bay leaf stick to secure it. • Put the parcels on a tray and bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Plating instructions and hints: -Serve the individual parcels on plates at the table with steamed rice. -Banana leaves are very easy to buy from an Asian or Latino market. Get nice big ones to wrap your fish up in. Failing banana leaves, you can use vine leaves, which you can get in the supermarkets, somewhat smaller, but no less tasty for that. Difficulty: Medium Prep Time: 20 minutes Inactive Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes at 450 degrees F