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Baked Fish in Banana Leaf
I always think that food wrapped in packages (like in foil, pandan leaves, and in this case – banana leaves) look professional. So when I saw this recipe in a cookbook for a banana wrapped baked fish, I thought this was a great chance for a noob like me to fake being a pro ;p This recipe is actually delightfully simple, because of the minimal of ingredients used. I’ve always loved my fish dishes simple so that the ingredients used help to enhance the taste and freshness of the fish, but not mask it.
The marinade only calls for 3 simple ingredients of soy sauce, ginger juice and lime juice. As a special touch I rubbed a little bit of hot chilli powder to spice things up just a little bit.
Baked Fish in Banana Leaf Recipe
The banana leaf gives a nice aroma to the baked fish, but you can always use aluminium foil to wrap the fish instead if banana leaf is unavailable.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole fresh fish (red snapper is used in this recipe) scaled, gutted and cleaned
- 2 large banana leaf sheets
(A) Marinade
- 1 1/2 tbsp ginger juice
- 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp lime juice
- dashes of white pepper powder to taste
- 1/2 tsp hot chilli powder optional
Directions:
- Make a few diagonal slits on each side of the fish. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Combine (A) in a small bowl. Brush both sides of the fish with the marinade for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
- Prep the banana leaves by placing it on top of a heated pan or oven for a few minutes, or rinsed in boiling water. This softens the leaf and also releases the aroma.
- Place the heated banana leaf in a baking tray. Place the fish in the center of the leaf and pour the remaining marinade over. Use the other piece of banana leaf to form the top, and secure the sides with toothpicks.
- Bake the fish for about 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven of 170°C (350°F), or until cooked.
Fish wrapped in banana leaf… that’s so good! and with the ginger… it must be really delicious…
Wah Wiffy, this is a giant fish. Looks so delish wrapped in a banana leaf. Lucky you, the banana leaf I get here is frozen and looks purple in color. Yikes.
That fish looks so fresh and haing it wraped with banana lef is a sure winner as it smells great!
You are already so patient in “sewing” up the leaves. I would have simply wrapped the fish in foil :D But then, I know the banana leaves would make the fish more fragrant :)
Sedap!! That’s the word that comes to my mind when I see your fish wrapped in the banana leaf. I can imagine how fresh and nice the fish tastes. :-)
Nice way of cooking fish! The banana leaf gives really nice aroma to the fish!
I love how banana leaves protect fish even when grilling. I’m hoping my banana plants grow lots of leaves this summer so I can use them for cooking!
what a beauty! that fish looks delish.. I love anything cooked in banana leaf – it’s awesome. and lucky you, i don’t get fresh banana leaves here in miami!
Sounds really simple yet full of wonderful flavours.
Something about cooking fish whole tweeks me out. Probably because my dad always used to get a fish dish (whose name I can’t recall) whenever we went to a particular restaurant when I was a kid. It was one where not only was it whole, but the presentation was it sitting up (sort of) and looking like it’s watching you.