Banana-cue

Banana-cue is commonly sold by street vendors in the Philippines. It’s a popular mid-late afternoon snack and the vendors serve this treat on a barbecue bamboo stick, but my version is simply wrapped in banana leaves.

Will Mahusay take his cues from the banana. Credit: Adam Liaw

• serves

  2

• prep

  5 minutes

• cook

  10 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients

• 2 Saba bananas (see Note)
• 185 g (1 cup) raw sugar
• 375 ml (1½ cups) canola oil
• Banana leaf, to serve

Resting time: 5 minutes

Instructions

1. Place the oil in a heavy – based saucepan over high heat until 180˚C.

2. While the oil is heating, peel the bananas, rinse under cold running water, then pat dry with paper towel. Cut the bananas in half lengthways and place in a bowl with the sugar. Toss to coat.

3. When the oil is ready, add the sugar-coated banana halves, then sprinkle in the remaining sugar and cook, turning regularly or until golden and caramelised. Place on a wire rack and stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature wrapped in a piece of banana leaf.  

Note

• Find Saba bananas at Asian grocers.

Photography by Adam Liaw.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.