Banana-Leaf-Wrapped Grouper with Curry Sauce

Name: Banana-Leaf-Wrapped Grouper with Curry Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/4 teaspoon curry powder; 1 large garlic clove, very coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon chopped scallion, plus 3 tablespoons very thinly sliced scallions cut on bias, for serving (from 3 scallions); 1 piece (1 1/4 inches) ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey; 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from 1 lime), plus 4 lime wedges, for serving; 4 thawed frozen banana leaves (optional); 4 skinless grouper fillets (6 ounces each; 1 1/2 inches thick and about 5 inches long); 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt; 3 ounces cherry tomatoes, preferably yellow and red, cut in half (2/3 cup); 1/4 cup fresh cilantro sprigs

Recipe photo courtesy of Andrew McCaul

Frozen banana leaves, which are inedible, are available at Asian markets. If you can't find them, parchment works just as well. Recipe adapted from Amanyara Resort, in Turks and Caicos.

Source: Martha Stewart Living, August 2012

20 mins 20 mins 4

Total Time Prep Servings

Ingredients

Directions

1. Toast curry powder in a dry skillet over medium heat, swirling constantly, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Let cool.
2. Puree garlic, chopped scallion, ginger, fish sauce, agave, coconut milk, lime juice, and 3/4 teaspoon toasted curry powder in a small food processor until smooth.
3. Cut out four 10-by-12-inch rectangles from banana leaves or parchment; wipe leaves with a damp towel. With 1 long edge of each rectangle facing you, lay a fillet lengthwise in center of each, about 1 1/2 inches from bottom. Season each with salt and remaining toasted curry powder, and top with 1 tablespoon curry sauce. Fold short sides of rectangle over fish, then fold up bottom edge. Fold top edge over packet, and tuck underneath. (Don't worry if leaves tear a little.)
4. Place 2 packets in each layer of a 2-layer bamboo steamer or all 4 in a stainless steel steamer. Fill a large pot with 1 to 2 inches water, and place steamer in pot. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover, and steam until fish is just cooked through, 10 to 11 minutes, rotating layers halfway through if using bamboo steamer. Remove from steamer, unwrap, and blot excess liquid from the leaves or parchment with paper towels. Drizzle fish with remaining sauce. Top with tomatoes, sliced scallions, and cilantro, and serve each on a banana leaf or parchment with a lime wedge.