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Fish, Africa and overseas

Katkat banana with fish

Katkat banana with fish is a Seychellois dish for 4 people, ready in 50 minutes, rated easy, at about €3.30 per person. Green plantains simmer in coconut milk with onion, garlic, ginger, and turmeric, then hake fillets cook gently on top. The key to success is choosing plantains that are very green and firm, so they hold their shape like potatoes.

Tonight, let's taste the Seychelles with katkat banana, green bananas simmered in coconut milk with tender fish.

Katkat banana with fish
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.30
Calories per person
530 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Katkat banana with fish pairs the mellow richness of coconut milk with the firm bite of green plantains, which cook through without ever falling apart, much like potatoes do. Turmeric turns the broth a warm golden color and ginger adds a little kick, while the fish, added near the end, stays soft and flakes easily under a fork.

It's a dish that breaks up a routine week without requiring any special skill, perfect for a weeknight when you want a taste of somewhere else. Kids tend to like the mild coconut flavor and the soft texture of the plantains, and you can pass chili powder on the side for anyone who wants their bowl spicier. Mon Chou offers this simple version, built for easy family cooking.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Hake fillets 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green plantains 5
  • Onion 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 1 tsp
  • Lemon 1

Pantry

  • Coconut milkoften in the pantry 40 cl
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the plantains under running water, scoring the skin first, then cut them into chunks.

    Oil your hands beforehand, the sap from green plantains stains your fingers.

  2. Sauté the sliced onions in the oil with the garlic, grated ginger, and turmeric. 6 min

    Stir constantly, turmeric burns in an instant.

  3. Add the plantains, pour in the coconut milk and 20 cl of water, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer covered. 20 min

    Pierce a banana chunk with the tip of a knife, it should just barely resist.

  4. Lay the fish pieces on top of the plantains with the lemon juice, cover, and let it cook. 10 min

    Stop stirring now, the fish falls apart quickly.

  5. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve right away in large bowls.

    A pinch of chili powder on the plate, for those who like it spicy.

Our tips to get it right

  • Peel the plantains right before cooking them, their flesh oxidizes and turns dark quickly once exposed to air.
  • Keep the heat low once the fish goes in, a hard boil would break it apart in the pot.
  • If your plantains are on the riper side, cut the simmering time by a few minutes so they don't turn too soft.

The variations

  • Swap the hake for whiting or cod, two firm white fish that hold up well to gentle simmering.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the fish with cooked chickpeas, added at the same time as the plantains.
  • For kids in a hurry, blend a ladle of broth with a few pieces of plantain for a smoother, creamier texture.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Lime wedges
  • Homemade iced tea

Storage

Katkat banana keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze particularly well, since both the fish and the plantains change texture once thawed. Reheat it gently in a pot over low heat so the fish doesn't fall apart.

Questions about this dish

Can you use yellow plantains instead of green ones?

Yellow plantains cook faster and turn sweeter and softer, which changes the texture of the dish. To keep the potato-like bite of a traditional katkat, stick with plantains that are very green and firm.

What fish works if you can't find hake?

Any firm white fish works well, such as whiting, cod, or pollock. Avoid very delicate fish, which would fall apart completely during cooking.

Can you make katkat banana ahead of time?

You can prepare the plantain and coconut milk base ahead and reheat it gently later. Add the fish only right before serving, so it stays tender and doesn't cook twice.

How do you make this dish milder for kids?

Keep the turmeric, since it's not spicy and just colors the dish, and skip the chili entirely. Serve chili powder on the side in a small bowl so everyone can adjust their own bowl.

How long does it take to make a katkat banana with fish?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a katkat banana with fish?

About 530 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 katkat banana with fish cost?

About €3.30 per serving, or €13.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

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

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