Cooking question...

[lspencer534]

Yes, I know we have a "What's Cooking?" section, but I'm really not asking for recipes or techniques. I have two banana plants that are inside for the winter. Both are dwarf, but they'll get 3'-5' tall, and they have huge leaves.

I've had fish cooked in banana leaves at restaurants, and as I recall it was pretty good. I don't remember anything distinctive about it, though.

My question is, is it worth the trouble? In other words, how good is it to you--special, okay, meh, or what?

[DAB]

lacking native banana plants here, i've found that 20 minutes at 400 wrapped in foil works great. drizzle in some lemon juice and olive oil and some seasonings.

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by DAB

lacking native banana plants here, i've found that 20 minutes at 400 wrapped in foil works great. drizzle in some lemon juice and olive oil and some seasonings.

You can buy frozen banana leaves at the grocery. Are they worth the trouble?

[DAB]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

You can buy frozen banana leaves at the grocery. Are they worth the trouble?

doubt it.

there are very few Alcoa trees in the south pacific, so they've had to learn how to use banana leaves.

but there are spaghetti trees in southern England.

[Olustee bus]

Here is my banana leaf fish recipe.

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 (6 to 8-ounce) bass fillets or other firm white fish
16 thin slices of fresh lemon
8 sprigs of fresh thyme
8 large banana leaves, soaked in water
12 toothpicks, (soaked in water)
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups julienne assorted vegetables, (tomatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, etc,)

Read more at: Grilled Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish Recipe : Emeril Lagasse : Recipes : Food Network

I do it all the time, especially when marooned on an island. Banana leaves seals in moisture and flavor and infuses the contents with a subtle, grassy aroma.

I really like tamales that are wrapped in banana leaves. Steam em up.

(Some, a very small portion of the above, was taken from Google, as the author may or may not know his ass from a hole in the ground)