If you’re looking to save money on your food shop and reduce food waste, there’s one simple ingredient you can use to add extra flavour to your meals
If you’re looking to save money on your food shop and reduce food waste, there’s one simple ingredient you can use to add extra flavour to your meals(Image: OksanaKiian via Getty Images)
As households grapple with the ongoing cost of living crisis, many are desperately seeking ways to slash their grocery bills and cut down on food waste. Now, one food content creator has revealed how a commonly discarded kitchen scrap could be the key to adding extra flavour to your meals, reports the Express.
In a recent TikTok video from Channel 4 Served, Imran Ali demonstrated how leftovers and overlooked kitchen ingredients can transform your cooking. He championed banana peels as an unexpected hero in the kitchen, especially what you’re in need of a flavour boost.
Imran said: “You’ve been flippin’ throwing away your banana peels? You son of a gun. You can eat them!”
Use up leftover banana peels(Image: Getty)
Indeed, as a clever and practical method to reduce kitchen waste, Imran reveals how neglected parts of everyday ingredients can be incorporated into every meal. According to Imran, banana peels can be used in numerous dishes, particularly curries.
The method is straightforward: remove the stalk, scrape away the inner flesh, then slice into small chunks. Add the chopped banana peels once you’ve cooked your aromatics and tomatoes, but before introducing any liquid.
Allow the curry to simmer gently, which helps tenderise the peels. Imran implored viewers not to bin their banana skins.
The Channel 4 Served clip has racked up more than 165,900 views, garnering 9,547 likes and 228 comments. One viewer, Samira, questioned: “I can’t tell if this is real! Can someone confirm if they have eaten banana peel curry?”
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Jake said: “All these negative comments, I’m trying this TONIGHT!!! You gotta be open to something new people.”
Vicky commented: “I hate bananas, but I bet I’ll love this! My daughters are banana mad, so we always have loads of peels! Gonna make it and not tell the kids until they’ve eaten it!”
So if you fancy adding an unexpected twist to your next curry whilst cutting down on food waste, here’s how to recreate Imran’s recipe in your own kitchen.
Curry recipe
Ingredients (serves two)
Four large banana peels, cut into one-centimetre stripsFour tbsp olive oilPinch of cumin seedsPinch of mustard seedsOne medium red onion, finely dicedFour garlic cloves, grated or mincedOne tsp ginger pasteOne green chilli, choppedOne tomato, choppedPinch of salt½ tsp turmeric½ tsp cumin powder½ tsp curry powder½ tsp coriander powder½ tsp chilli powder or chilli flakes250ml coconut milkPinch of fresh coriander, chopped
Method
Using a spoon, scrape out the insides from the banana skins and chuck them away. Slice the banana skins into one to two centimetre thick strips.
Warm the olive oil in a pan, then toss in the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Chuck in the red onion and fry for a few minutes.
Add the garlic, ginger paste and green chilli, cooking until the onion softens and starts to colour. Throw in the tomato and cook for a few minutes.
Season with salt, turmeric, cumin powder, curry powder, coriander powder and chilli powder until the spices release their oils, around six minutes. Add a splash of water if needed to stop it catching.
Toss in the banana skins and cook for a few minutes.
Add a splash of water, give it a stir, then pour in the coconut milk. Pop a lid on and let it bubble away for 12 to 15 minutes until the banana skins soften, giving it a stir halfway through.
Take off the lid and stir through the fresh coriander. Let it simmer for one final minute, then finish with more fresh coriander on top.
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Dining and Cooking