Nigella Goes Bananas!
At a time when we are all looking at ways to eat differently in order to preserve our planet’s natural resources, acclaimed Chef, TV Host And Author Nigella Lawson wants us to dig into these!
Who’s Hungry?
That’s right, Nigella revealed once on her TV show a recipe calling for old banana skins!
FYI, here’s the truth about banana skins:
“In fact, banana peels are not only edible but also rich in several key nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fats, and essential amino acids. Fiber, in particular, has been shown to promote regularity, stabilize blood sugar levels, and boost heart health.”
So there you go!
While this recipe caused a lot of controversy when she unveiled it, Nigella is simply promoting what we all need to do more of: finding ways to utilize ingredients that would normally go to waste!
Yes, this is the dish: “Banana Skin Curry” – which Nigella shared a few years ago on her TV show called “Cook, Eat, Repeat!”
She got lots of headlines around the world for this dish, which actually looks pretty tasty to me!
The controversy began the moment she poured boiling water over a pan full of banana skins. “I’ll explain later,” she tells the camera, teasingly.
Then, she cooked some shallots, garlic, ginger, coriander, spices, chili, coconut milk and lemon juice, which she added because:
“To add a bit of edge” she says – then she chopped up those hot, soaking banana skins and added them to the pot.
That was the beginning of a delicious-sounding dish and here’s the recipe!
Count Me In For The Banana Skins!
Well, I for one am intrigued! I think I just might try to cook with banana skins to see what happens!
- 3 banana peels
- Cauliflower florets and leaves, bite-sized
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt, as per taste
- 4 banana shallots (echalion), peeled and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1-1 ½ inch ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 bunch coriander leaves with stalks
- 1 fresh red chilli, chopped
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 ml full-fat coconut milk
- 2 ½ tsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp sea salt
- Vegetable oil for cooking
• In a large bowl, put the banana peels and pour in enough water to cover the peels. Add a little turmeric powder and salt, cover the bowl with a lid and let the peels soak until the water comes to room temperature.
• In another bowl, add roughly chopped garlic, banana shallots, ginger, coriander stalks, fresh red chilli, cinnamon powder and turmeric powder. Blend this into a smooth paste.
• In a wok, add a teaspoon of oil and fry the paste for seven minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste, combine it with the curry paste and let it cook for three minutes.
• Add full-fat coconut milk and mix it well with the paste.
• Squeeze half a lemon and season the curry with sea salt and sugar.
• Cook, uncovered, letting it bubble, reduce and thicken a little for five minutes.
• Drain the banana skins, squeezing out excess liquid, and either chop them into slightly smaller than bite-sized pieces or take a fork and, with the interior of the banana skins facing you, press the tines into the top and push all the way down so that you have long thin strips.
• Add the skins to the pan/wok, and simmer for a further 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the banana skins are soft.
• Tip in the cauliflower florets and leaves and continue to cook until they’re hot all the way through.
• Taste to check salt and then garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Here it is!
I’ve always tried to be open to unique ingredients and cooking methods…you remember I boldly ate a “Cheeseburger In A Can!”
So how was it? How indeed would it measure up to eating banana skins?
Who knows, but if you want to see my “Cheeseburger In A Can” taste test, click on my story here – don’t be afraid!
I also shared this “unique” recipe from Actor Robert Pattinson:
Yes, it’s a “pasta pillow” sandwich and here is the recipe if you dare to follow “The Batman!”
I have also cooked with Spam…lots of a lots of Spam:
Did I really cook this vintage retro “Spam Cheese Loaf”? Click here to see!
If you enjoy these posts, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right!
If you like this story, please share with friends on social media!
Categories: Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Books / Media, Chef memoirs, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Food, Food Pictures, Food Porn, Food Writing, Recipes, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
I might never eat her banana skin curry, but Nigella can do no wrong for me. I would watch her read the phone book. I met her on two occasions when I was an EMT in London, at very difficult times in her life. She was not only beautiful, but a warm-hearted genuine person who treated others with great respect.
Best wishes, Pete.
I would definitely try this dish. one question – it listed banana shallots in the recipe? what are those? can I substitute regular shallots in the dish?