In the realm of culinary artistry, few dishes can rival the exotic allure of "chicken and coconut in banana leaves." This tantalizing dish, steeped in the rich traditions of Southeast Asian cuisine, offers a harmonious blend of flavors, colors, and textures that will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise. With its tender chicken, infused with the subtle sweetness of coconut milk and the earthy notes of banana leaves, this dish promises an explosion of flavors that will linger long after the last bite. Come, embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets of preparing this delectable dish, transforming your kitchen into a symphony of aromas and flavors.
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CHICKEN & COCONUT IN BANANA LEAVES
An American version of a tradional Papua New Guinean technique of wrapping parcels of food in banana leaves. Serve with beer or a crisp, white wine.
Provided by ElleFirebrand
Categories Poultry
Time 1h45m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk together soy sauce, barbecue sauce, ginger and coconut milk.
- Place chicken drumsticks, thighs, plantain, and sweet potato in a bowl and pour over the marinade. Marinate 30 minutes.
- Gently warm the whole banana leaf over a fire or gas burner until the leaf is pliable but not burnt, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Cut the leaf into four large squares, measuring at least 30 x 30 cm. Carefully cut four long, thin strips from the rib of the leaf, these will be used as 'string' to tie the packets later.
- Place a piece of chicken onto each banana leaf square and evenly divide the vegetables on top. Pour in any remaining marinade and fold the leaves around the chicken like you are wrapping a present.
- Securely tie with the rib strips and place the packets onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven until the chicken is tender and no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour. Check the packets occasionally to make sure they do not burn.
CHICKEN AND COCONUT IN BANANA LEAVES
This is based on a style of cooking that I experienced in Papua New Guinea, however I adapted it slightly to suit Western cooking methods. It basically involves making banana leaf parcels in which to bake the ingredients. Serve parcels on plates, bamboo mats, or more traditionally fresh green banana leaves. Enjoy with a very cold beer (preferably of Tropical origin) although a bottle of Chardonnay has a lot of appeal as well!
Provided by Craig Nanango
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Thigh Recipes
Time 2h5m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Whisk together soy sauce, barbeque sauce, ginger, and coconut. Pour over chicken drumsticks, thighs, plantain, and sweet potato in a resealable plastic bag. Seal, and marinate 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Gently warm the whole banana leaf over a fire or gas burner until the leaf is pliable, but not burnt, 3 to 4 minutes. Cut the leaf into four large squares, measuring at least 12x12 inches. Carefully cut four long, thin strips from the rib of the leaf, these will be used as 'string' to tie the packets later.
- Place a piece of meat onto each banana leaf square, and evenly divide the vegetables on top. Pour in any remaining marinade, and fold the leaves around the chicken like a present. Securely tie with the rib strips, and place the packets onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven until the chicken is tender and no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour. Check the packets occasionally to make sure they do not burn.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 739.8 calories, Carbohydrate 73.9 g, Cholesterol 127.1 mg, Fat 33.8 g, Fiber 7.1 g, Protein 42.1 g, SaturatedFat 20.4 g, Sodium 282.5 mg, Sugar 30.3 g
CURRIED CHICKEN STEAMED IN BANANA LEAVES
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories lunch, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To make the sauce, heat the canola oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 3 minutes. Add the garam masala and turmeric and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the chilies and coconut milk, lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
- To make the chicken and vegetables, place the chicken breasts between sheets of wax paper and pound them lightly with the back of a small heavy skillet until they are slightly flattened and uniform in thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and lay each half-breast in the center of a banana leaf. Place the diced potatoes and peas in a bowl, season lightly with salt and toss. Top each piece of chicken with 1/4 of the vegetables and pour 1/4 of the sauce over the vegetables. Fold the sides of the banana leaves over the chicken breasts, then fold the top and bottom in toward the center. Secure with toothpicks or tie a very thin strip of banana leaf around each bundle.
- Fill the bottom of a steamer with water almost to, but not touching, the rack and bring to a boil. Place the chicken bundles on the rack (you may have to make 2 layers) and steam, covered, until the chicken breasts are cooked through and the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. To eat, unwrap the leaves to expose the filling. (Do not eat the banana leaves.) Serve with rice on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 604, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 38 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 1264 milligrams, Sugar 18 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling around in the kitchen.
- Choose the Right Bananas: Use ripe but firm bananas. Overripe bananas will be too soft and will tear easily when you wrap the chicken in them.
- Trim the Chicken: Remove any excess fat or skin from the chicken breasts before cooking. This will help the chicken cook evenly and prevent it from becoming greasy.
- Season the Chicken: Be generous with the seasonings when marinating the chicken. This will help infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Don't Overcook the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. Cook the chicken until it is just cooked through, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve Immediately: Chicken and coconut in banana leaves is best served immediately after it is cooked. The flavors will be at their best and the chicken will be moist and tender.
Conclusion:
Chicken and coconut in banana leaves is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. The chicken is cooked in a fragrant coconut milk sauce and wrapped in banana leaves, which impart a subtle sweetness and aroma. Serve the chicken with rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete meal.
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