http://bbq.about.com/library/weekly/aa021602a.htm

Barbecues & Grilling
Grilling Fish in Leaves

The ancient secret to great grilled fish is to wrap it in leaves.

Long before the advent of aluminum foil people found it easier and more
flavorful to wrap food up in leaves. Whether its banana leaves, grape
leaves, cornhusks or whatever you might find growing in your neck of the woods,
its just a great way to cook. Of course, back then they used a live fire and
got not only the great flavor of their foods but also the smoky flavor of the
fire. The leaves hold in moisture, flavors and keep foods from burning and
falling apart in the fire. The most common type of food cooked in leaves is
fish.

The first question you are going to ask, is where to get these leaves? Bottled
grape leaves can be found in most grocery stores. Cornhusks can typically be
found in the Mexican food section of your store. Banana leaves, on the other
hand, usually have to be bought in specialty food stores, particularly those
catering to Asian and Caribbean markets. Banana leaves should be relatively
fresh. Always make sure you wash and dry fresh leaves before you use them.

As far as cooking with leaves, it is very similar to cooking foods wrapped in
foil, except that you wont get an airtight seal. However, because leaves
usually have their own moisture, this isnt a problem. Always work with
leaves that are large enough to fit your needs. You can cut to food to fit and
simply cook more packets. Fish can be prepared whole or in pieces depending on
your needs.

To wrap fish in leaves, start with a clean leaf, brush lightly with oil to
prevent sticking and wrap firmly but not too tight. Leaves can tear so you
dont want too much tension. Expects can typically wrap up a fish fillet in
such a way as to not need anything to secure it with, but you can use kitchen
twine or toothpicks to secure your package. Threading a toothpick or skewer
through the package will help it hold up when you flip foods on the grill.




---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
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"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
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On Wed, 26 May 2004 18:52:23 +0000, PENMART01 wrote:

> http://bbq.about.com/library/weekly/aa021602a.htm
>
> Barbecues & Grilling
> Grilling Fish in Leaves
>
> The ancient secret to great grilled fish is to wrap it in leaves.

> Sheldon
> ````````````

We have hoja santa (mexican rootbeer plant) growing
in our herb garden..

large leafy plant that has a light sassafras flavor.
Great to wrap salmon with for grilling. If you get this plant
started in your garden it will freeze back in the winter and
each spring come back with increasing vigor. Grilled
leaf wrapped fish is really a crowd pleaser.


l