Recipe courtesy of Johnny Hernandez

Mixiote de Pescado (Branzino Wrapped in Banana Leaves)

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 1 to 2 servings
  • Total: 40 min
  • Active: 20 min
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

4 banana leaves, about 20 inches long

One 2-pound whole branzino, cleaned and scaled 

Salt and pepper

2 slices lemon 

2 sprigs fresh parsley 

2 sprigs fresh thyme 

1 bay leaf 

1 clove garlic, thinly sliced 

1 slice onion 

1/4 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

2 root beer (hoja santa) leaves 

Extra-virgin olive oil 

Directions

Special equipment:
butcher's twine
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Heat the banana leaves over an open flame until pliable. Sprinkle the inside of the fish with salt and pepper, and stuff the cavity with the lemon, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, onion and red pepper. Coat the outside of the fish with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the fish in the root beer leaves, then wrap in the banana leaves. Tie at intervals with butcher's twine to secure the leaves to the fish.
  3. Bake until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking.

Cook’s Note

If preferred, the fish can be grilled over a bed of coals.

Fudge Factor

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.

Essentials: Chocolate Basics Sep 1, 2016

Satisfy that chocolate craving in your very own kitchen. All you need is baking chocolate and a little know-how. It also helps to …

How to Chop and Melt Chocolate

Lots of recipes call for melted chocolate. Follow these step-by-step instructions to do it properly.