Preheat oven to 400F. Roast the sweet potatoes until fully cooked & very soft – approximately 45 minutes or longer depending on the size. Cool to room temperature.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the sliced dried figs, vinegar, salt & pepper, and minced ginger. Lightly toss. Allow the figs to marinate for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
In a skillet over set on medium high, heat the banana leave pieces just until they become flexible.
Lay the banana leaves on a work surface.
Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. (If using smaller sweet potatoes, split the sweet potatoes open & press lightly to flatten.) Place a piece of sweet potato on each banana leaf.
Distribute the fig mixture over the sweet potatoes.
Distribute the cashews over the sweet potatoes.
Place a piece of butter on top of each sweet potato. Fold up the banana leaf to enclose the sweet potato. Tie with a piece of string to secure.
Place the sweet potato packages in a broad skillet in a single layer. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the skillet – approximately 1/8 inch deep.
Cover the skillet with a lid or with aluminum foil. Heat the skillet to gently steam the sweet potato packages – approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the packages from the skillet. Cut the string and unfold on dinner plates keeping the sweet potato and any juices in the center of the banana leaf.
Sprinkle the minced Serrano chile (optional) and the crème fraiche & crumbled cheese over the sweet potato. Garnish with a wedge of fresh lime.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions: dried corn husks soaked in water until flexible or parchment paper.
Put oil in a medium to large saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 5 minute.
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the beans, tomatoes, quinoa, broth, red pepper, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste.
Cook over medium-low heat until tomatoes have broken up & flavors meld, adding more broth to make it as soupy as you like.
Add the arugula or other leafy green and continue to cook, just until it wilts. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, and then serve with some shaved parmesan on top of desired. Enjoy!
Roll out the dough and divide it into 6 portions. Cover with plastic wrap.
Finely dice the green leafy vegetables
Divide the vegetables into 6 equal portions
Sprinkle a clean flat surface with flour. Place one piece of dough on the floured surface.
Assemble "Pancakes"
Using a rolling pin, flatten one of the balls of dough into a circle about 7 inches across.
Brush ¼ teaspoon sesame oil onto the round of dough.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt onto the round of dough
Then spread the oil and salt around with your fingers to completely coat the round.
Sprinkle one portion of the vegetables onto the round.
Lightly press the vegetables into the dough with your fingers.
Fold the round in half and then fold in half again. Roll into a ball with your hands.
Sprinkle the dough ball with a little flour. Flatten it with your hand and roll it out again into a circle about 5 inches in diameter.
Repeat with the remaining 5 dough balls.
Cook the "Pancakes"
Place a medium non-stick pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.
Add one of the dough circles to the pan and cook on one side for 4 minutes or until the bottom side is browned (don’t be scared to take a peek underneath with a pancake turner to lift the edge).
Flip the pancake over with a spatula or pancake turner. Cook the other side for about 4 more minutes or until the bottom is browned.
Remove your pancake to a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven to keep it warm while you cook the remaining dough circles.
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Use this recipe as a fun flatbread topped with your favorite veggies and cheese or serve it with Ginger Lime Dipping Sauce--another recipe from Chef Pera.
Variations
• Add some color…try adding some grated carrots to the pancakes when adding the green leafy vegetables.
Cut the ends off each zucchini and cut them in half lengthways. Then, cut them into strips and then into 1” chunks.
Peel the eggplant, and then cut it the same way as you did the zucchini.
Cut the ends off the pepper and remove the seeds. Cut into thin strips.
Cut the tomatoes in half, remove seeds, and cut into quarters.
Peel and smash the garlic.
Peel the onions and chop them finely.
The Ratatouille
Turn burner onto low.
Measure and add the oil to a large saucepan; allow oil to heat up.
Add onions into the large saucepan. Cook them over low heat for about 10 minutes, until the onions are soft and lightly browned.
Measure and add the tomato paste to the onions, stir together.
Measure and add the vegetables, garlic, seasoning, herbs (except basil), salt and pepper to the onions in the pan. Stir everything well.
Turn heat up to medium. Cook the ratatouille (stirring occasionally) on medium heat for about 3 minutes. Then turn down the heat, so that it is bubbling gently.
Put a lid onto the pan. Lift the lid and stir it every now and then. Cook the ratatouille for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and cook it for 5 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in the basil.
Serve into shallow bowls and garnish with basil. Enjoy!
