Tilapia in Banana Leaf

In this tasty and healthy fish recipe, tilapia is piled with veggies, drizzled with GOYA® Naranja Agria - Bitter Orange Marinade – which adds a fresh citrus taste, then wrapped in a banana leaf. In the oven, the heat trapped inside of the leaf packet will effectively steam the fish, keeping it moist and flavorful with minimal added fat.

Serves 4

Prep time: 20 min.

Total time: 45 min.

¼ cup GOYA Bitter Orange Marinade (Naranja Agria)

2 tbsp. GOYA Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tbsp. GOYA Lemon Juice

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 tbsp. GOYA Minced Garlic, or 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

GOYA Adobo Light All-Purpose Seasoning with Pepper, to taste

1 GOYA Banana Leaf, thawed

4 fillets (4 oz. each) fresh tilapia, or other firm flesh white fish

½ medium red, green, orange or yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

½ medium red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

1. Heat oven to 400˚F. In small bowl, mix together bitter orange marinade, olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro and garlic. Season with Adobo Light, to taste; set aside.

2. Unfold banana leaf. Cut off tough rib that runs along bottom edge of leaf with kitchen shears. Gently cut leaf into 4 (8-inch) pieces, being careful not to split them.

3. Place tilapia fillet in center of banana leaf; season with Adobo Light, to taste. Stir reserved bitter orange mixture to combine; spoon 2 tbsp. mixture over fish. Top fish with ¼ cup each peppers and onions. Fold two ends over fish to enclose; fold in two edges to form packet. Using kitchen twine, tie packet to secure; transfer to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to form 4 packets.

4. Bake until fish is opaque and flakes easily with fork, 20 minutes; transfer to plates. Cut ties and discard. Open packets (banana leaves are not edible). Serve immediately.

Make this Fish Dinner Ahead of Time

This Tilapia in Banana Leaf recipe makes a great “company’s-coming” main course. The reason: The packets of fish and vegetables can be assembled ahead of time! To do, prepare the Tilapia in Banana leaf recipe through step 3. Then, transfer pre-made packets to the refrigerator up to four hours ahead of time. Then, bake and serve as instructed.