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Fish, Americas

Brazilian style banana fish gratin with rice

Brazilian style banana fish is a gratin of white fish fillets topped with pan fried bananas, bechamel, and melted cheese, served with rice. It serves 4, takes 45 minutes, rates as easy, and costs about €3.60 per person. The key to success is using bananas that are still firm, so they hold their shape in the oven.

Tonight, a fish gratin with pan fried bananas, a sweet and savory Brazilian combo that everyone loves.

Brazilian style banana fish gratin with rice
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.60
Calories per person
590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This dish pairs mild, flaky white fish with pan fried bananas that bring an unexpected sweetness under a blanket of bechamel and melted cheese. The golden baked crust contrasts with the tender fish and soft fruit, giving a creamy result that never feels heavy. Plain white rice on the side soaks up the sauce and balances the sweet and savory flavors.

It's an easy recipe to fit into a busy week, since it only takes 45 minutes and relies on simple steps. The sweet and savory combination is especially popular with kids, who recognize the melted cheese and familiar fruit in a new form. Mon Chou likes to bring this one out when you want a change from plain baked fish without complicating things in the kitchen.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • White fish fillets 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Bananas 4
  • Lemon 1

Dairy

  • Butter 50 g
  • Milk 40 cl
  • Shredded cheese 80 g

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 30 g
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Melt 30 g of butter, stir in the flour, then whisk in the milk to make a smooth bechamel. 10 min

    Pour the milk in gradually while whisking.

  2. Season the fish with salt, squeeze lemon juice over it, and lay it in a baking dish.

    A splash of lemon cuts down the fishy smell.

  3. Slice the bananas into rounds and brown them in the remaining butter. 5 min

    Turn them gently with a spatula.

  4. Cover the fish with the bananas and bechamel, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 200°C. 20 min

    The gratin is ready once the top is nicely golden.

  5. Meanwhile, cook the rice in salted water, then serve it alongside the fish. 11 min

    Rinse the rice before cooking so it doesn't clump together.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the pan fried bananas well on paper towels before layering them on the fish, so their juice doesn't make the bottom of the gratin soggy.
  • Pick a firm white fish like cod or hake, it holds together better in the oven than more delicate fillets.
  • Pull the dish out of the oven as soon as the cheese turns nicely golden, overbaking dries out the fish underneath.

The variations

  • Swap the white fish for peeled shrimp for a quicker version, cutting the oven time down to about 12 minutes.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the fish with grilled eggplant slices before topping them with bananas and bechamel.
  • For kids, chop the fish into small pieces before arranging it in the dish, they tend to accept mixed textures more easily that way.

What to serve it with

  • A cool cucumber salad
  • Fresh squeezed lime juice
  • A few plain tomato wedges

Storage

The gratin keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well because the bechamel and bananas turn mushy once thawed. Reheat it gently in the oven at 150°C rather than in the microwave, to keep the cheese melty.

Questions about this dish

What fish works best for this recipe?

A firm white fish like cod, hake, or pollock works well. Avoid very thin fillets, they tend to fall apart under the weight of the bechamel.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can make the bechamel and pan fry the bananas a few hours ahead. Assemble the dish right before baking so the fish stays moist.

Why do the bananas need to be firm?

Overripe bananas soften even more in the oven and turn to mush. Firm bananas hold their shape under the gratin.

Can you replace the bechamel with something else?

Yes, heavy cream thinned with a bit of milk also works, for a quicker version without making a bechamel. The result will be slightly less coating.

How long does it take to make a Brazilian style banana fish gratin with rice?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Brazilian style banana fish gratin with rice?

About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Brazilian style banana fish gratin with rice cost?

About €3.60 per serving, or €14.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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