Still recovering! So here is a quick blog post :-)
Katie-Lucie was asking me if I’ve heard of a strawberry ketchup in my strawberry risotto post (no I haven’t) so today, I’m going to show you, Banana Ketchup!
Banana Ketchup is a Filipino invention during the world war two. Tomato was scarce during the time. But there was an abundant supply of bananas. Hence, instead of making tomato ketchup, banana ketchup was created as a replacement. And since then, it became very popular in the Philippines.
Basically its made up of bananas, water, sugar, vinegar, salt and starch. A red dye was added to make it look like ketchup. In any case, I think that it would be better if it wasn’t dyed. Its kind of deceiving. To be something that it’s not.
But in any case, I spotted this in the asian grocery in the mercato some months back and it intrigued me so much that I had to give it a try.
Visually, it looks kind of tomato ketchup even with the lumpy banana bits in the sauce. Taste wise, its not bad. But it does takes a bit of getting used to. It tastes sweet. Not really the type of condiment that I’m used to.
I’ve still more than half a bottle left. I’m not sure what to do with it.
It’s kinda weird to see something red that tastes sweet, in my opinion. What do you eat it with?
Meat Marinade! Any kind of meat would work. Add black and white pepper. Maybe some paprika. A little BBQ sauce and you’ve got quite a nice mix. Leave overnight even better – Roast in oven.
Marina, I actually saw it too on some online websites selling asian food. Maybe u can try making banana risotto :) I’m still looking for Kecap Manis ABC brand online but couldn’t find.. there are other brands but I doubt the taste.
I tried it for the first time a few months ago at a Filipino friend’s place and I must say that I prefer this a whole lot more to the regular ol’ tomato ketchup. But since I’m not a fan of ketchup in general, I can’t say that I’ll be using this on a regular basis. But it is good!
BTW… it goes great with deep fried spring rolls.
u can give it to me :D
wondering if they have this in spore.. hmmm.. maybe i can try lucky plaza heeheh.. hope ur feeling all better already~ :)
Diana
Well, mostly I tried it with the grilled mock meat and it tasted curious enough for me already, hahaha
Meowmeow
Thanks for the tip! Oh speaking of spring rolls, I just bought a pack of spring roll skins! Now all I have to do is to experiment in making one … I’ve never made one before!
Sally
Banana risotto? Now that sounds curious! I’ll go and search for the recipes online, hehehe
Hey, speaking of kicap manis, I use the kipas brand, its the one with the paper fan logo. Is that the one that you’re talking about?
Shadeofmelon
It does take a bit of mind over matter though right, with the red colours. Your brain will psyche itself up that it’ll taste like tomatoes, but when you taste it, its not!
Missylva
Ok, what’s your address :p
But by the time it reaches you, I think that it’ll expire though … :S
Eileen
I’m sure you could find this! Seeing how popular it is with the Filipino’s and there are a huge community there, I bet its exported in Singapore already :-)
The kecap manis I always had is ABC brand or Indofood.. haven’t tried others before nor the brand u told me. I tried once a Sinsin brand from S’pore and it was not tasty.. if it’s Indonesian made, sure to good :) maybe now I would give a try to any brand cos I’m finishing my last bottle soon ;)
expire then i dun want liaossss :p