Thai-style Green Banana and Salted Fish Stir-Fry

Ingredients

In this Thai adaptation, we substitute green bananas for green figs, as green bananas are more readily available in Thai cuisine. Additionally, we incorporate Thai spices and herbs to infuse the dish with the distinct flavors of Thailand. The cooking techniques remain similar, with the stir-frying method used to create a delicious blend of flavors and textures. We alse have the original recipe for Green Fig and Saltfish, so you can check it out.

• 4 green bananas, peeled and sliced (500g / 1.1 lb) 4 green bananas, peeled and sliced (500g / 1.1 lb)
• 200g (7 oz) salted fish, soaked and deboned 200g (7 oz) salted fish, soaked and deboned
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red chili, thinly sliced 1 red chili, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 10g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic, sliced onion, and red chili. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the salted fish to the wok and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the fish is heated through.
4. 4.
   Add the sliced green bananas to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar. Pour the sauce over the stir-fry and toss to coat the ingredients evenly.
6. 6.
   Continue stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes until the bananas are fully cooked and coated in the sauce.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
8. 8.
   Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Green bananas — Make sure to use unripe green bananas for this recipe, as they hold their shape better when stir-fried.
• Salted fish — Soak the salted fish in water for 30 minutes before using to remove excess saltiness. Debone the fish and break it into small pieces for easy incorporation into the stir-fry.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier dish, add more red chili or garnish with sliced Thai bird's eye chili.
• Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the dish by adding more or less palm sugar and lime juice, according to your taste preferences.
• Serve the stir-fry with a side of Thai jasmine rice for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Thai-style Green Banana and Salted Fish Stir-Fry hot as a main dish, accompanied by steamed jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and aroma.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, arrange the stir-fry on a serving platter and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Serve with a side of steamed jasmine rice or noodles.