National Dish Indonesia: Es Pisang Ijo (Recipe)
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Treat yourself to Es Pisang Ijo, one of Indonesia’s most beloved sweet treats! This refreshing dessert wraps ripe bananas in a soft, jade-green dough before steaming them and drowning them in a silky coconut sauce. The play between the tender fruit and the gently sweet wrapping makes it irresistible, especially served chilled on a warm day. Bring a taste of the tropics straight to your own kitchen with this simple yet memorable dish.
About Es Pisang Ijo
Es Pisang Ijo is a traditional Indonesian dessert that beguiles the senses with its unique character. The dish is built around tender bananas wrapped in a soft green dough and then steamed until set. The preparation calls for a carefully chosen handful of ingredients that complement the natural sweetness of the fruit beautifully. It is the contrast between the soft banana and the light coconut sauce that makes es pisang ijo such an unrivalled eating experience, equally at home as an everyday treat or a festive finish to a meal.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 2 ripe bananas
- 100g rice flour
- 30g sugar
- 100ml coconut milk
- A pinch of salt
- Water, as needed
- Green food colouring (optional)
Shopping for the ingredients
To make es pisang ijo, you will want fresh, good-quality ingredients. Pick up ripe bananas, as these are crucial to the sweetness of the finished dish. Rice flour and coconut milk are easy to find in Asian grocery shops or in a well-stocked supermarket. Choose fresh produce wherever you can to guarantee the very best flavour, much as you would for any classic of Indonesian cuisine.
Preparing the dish
Getting es pisang ijo ready is straightforward and calls for just a few basic steps. First, peel the bananas and shape them as needed. Next, combine the rice flour with sugar, salt and a little water to make the green dough. If you like, you can add a few drops of green food colouring to heighten the visual appeal. Take your time during the preparation to make sure everything is properly ready before you start steaming.
Step-by-step instructions
- Peel the bananas and halve them lengthways.
- Combine the rice flour, sugar, salt and water in a bowl and stir well until you have a smooth dough.
- If you like, add a few drops of green food colouring and mix through.
- Wrap each banana in the dough and place them in a steamer basket.
- Steam for around 15–20 minutes, until the dough is firm.
- Simmer the coconut milk with a little sugar until it thickens slightly.
- Serve the dessert warm, poured over with the coconut sauce.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Es pisang ijo is easily made gluten-free and lactose-free. Simply use rice flour, which is naturally free from gluten, and swap the coconut milk for another plant-based milk if needed. That way, people with intolerances can enjoy this delicious treat too. The flavours stay intact and the pleasure of eating it remains completely undiminished.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegans can enjoy es pisang ijo with ease, since the main ingredients are already plant-based. Just take care that the sugar you use is vegan-friendly, particularly with industrially processed sugar. A plant-based option for the coconut milk is also required, though this is rarely a problem. Let your creativity run free and vary the filling or the sauces to suit your own taste.
More tips and tricks
A few small tricks can make preparing es pisang ijo even easier and more efficient. Some recipes suggest briefly blanching the bananas before wrapping them in the dough, which improves the texture. You can also steam in several layers to prepare a number of portions at once. Don’t forget to keep the temperature well regulated to stop the coconut milk from boiling over.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Es pisang ijo is a wonderfully adaptable dessert. You can adjust the sweetness by using more or less sugar, depending on your preference. Using different fruits as the filling is possible too, based on whatever happens to be in season. Experiment with other flavours such as vanilla or ginger to give the dessert a whole new dimension.
Ingredient substitutions
If you can’t find some of the ingredients, there are good alternatives. Wheat flour, for example, can be used in place of rice flour, though the result will no longer be gluten-free. For the coconut milk you can use almond or soya milk, unsweetened, to keep the flavour neutral. These alternatives are easy to find in many shops and offer delicious variations on the dessert.
Drink pairing ideas
Es pisang ijo pairs beautifully with a wide range of drinks. A fresh fruit juice, such as mango or pineapple, complements the dessert wonderfully and brings out its exotic flavours. Sweetened tea or a frothy coffee also make excellent companions. Pair it with chilled water or coconut water for a refreshing finish.
Serving and presentation ideas
The presentation of es pisang ijo can be lifted with a few simple techniques. Serve the dessert on an attractive plate and garnish it with fresh fruit or a sprig of mint. A squeeze of citrus juice can add a refreshing note as well as emphasising the contrast of colour. Let your creativity play to create an appealing and inviting dessert.
A bit of history
The roots of es pisang ijo reach deep into traditional Indonesian cooking. The dish is often served on special occasions and is a popular delicacy right across Indonesia. The green dough frequently takes its colour from pandan, which lends both hue and fragrance. Over the years it has grown in popularity and is now appreciated in other parts of the world too, sitting proudly alongside sweet classics like Cendol and Es Doger.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Es Pisang Ijo
Es pisang ijo is an exceptional Indonesian dessert that is sure to delight every palate. With its combination of tender bananas and a creamy coconut sauce, it is a genuine pleasure. Whether you serve it for a special occasion or simply make it for yourself, a taste of es pisang ijo will whisk you away to a world full of exotic flavours. Give it a go, and let this delicious dish surprise you.
