Keralan banana-leaf grilled snapper recipe

Although it seems complicated, this Keralan banana-leaf grilled fish recipe from Anjum Anand is actually quite easy to do. Although using a banana leaf will give the fish more flavour, you can also use aluminum foil and still have a delicious, healthy dish. You can choose whichever fish you like – in Kerala they use pomfret, here I have used tilapia. This is not a heavy dish but is really satisfying and just needs a little salad or some potatoes on the side to become a filling, healthy meal. If it is summer, try doing these on the barbecue – the extra smokiness is delicious. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

4tbsp coconut or vegetable oil

4 fillets tilapia or other fillets

14 curry leaves

1 medium onion, finely chopped

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

6g ginger, finely chopped

½ green chilli, finely chopped, or to taste

2 small tomatoes, chopped

Salt to taste and ¼tsp freshly ground black pepper

A pinch of ground fennel seeds

A small pinch of ground cloves

⅓tsp tamarind paste to taste

2 tsp lemon juice and ½ tsp turmeric to marinate fish

4 squares of banana leaves, large enough to wrap the fish in (or use aluminum foil)

String to tie or toothpicks to secure banana leaves

Method:

Marinate the fish in the lemon juice with good pinches of salt and turmeric per fillet. Set aside for 20 minutes.

Heat half the oil in a large frying pan. Add the fish and fry on one side for 20-30 seconds then turn and do the same with this side. Place straight on to the banana leaves or foil packets.

Add the remaining oil to the pan and add the curry leaves, fry for 5 seconds and add the onions, cook well until soft and lightly golden. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli and stir fry for a minute. Add the fennel, clove, black pepper and salt along with the tomatoes and a splash of water. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the whole thing comes together. It should taste cooked and harmonious.

Stir in the tamarind paste. At this stage it should be a little salty and a little a bit spicy.

Heat the banana leaves over the fire to make them pliable and smear the inside of the leaves with some oil. Spoon a little of the masala in the centre of each leaf. Place a piece of fish on top and smear over the rest. If using foil, the masala often sticks to it and you lose a bit so smear a good amount of the mix on top of one side only. Fold over the foil or banana leaf to enclose the fish (and possible juices) properly and secure using some string or toothpicks.

Heat the rest of the oil in a thick-bottomed pan or oil a barbecue rack or griddle pan. Add the parcels and cook, covered, for around 3-4 minutes on each side or until the banana leaf turns a pale brown. If using foil, you can also cook it in a preheated oven (200°C) and bake for 10 minutes.

Serve hot with lemon wedges and a salad or some potatoes on the side.