Plantain recipes you should definitely try before the year ends.
Yet another year goes by. We pose questions like ” what are my biggest accomplishments this year? Could I have done this better? What if I didn’t do this or that? Well, welcome to the real world. These questions and more will always be there. We live and learn. Try to do things differently each day hopefully to accomplish different and better results. You know why? You really can’t do anything about time, once its gone, it really is gone. Use it wisely. And truly stop and smell the roses. We all have one life to live right?
That being said, lets end the year with a few highlights from around the blog. We are shinning the light on one of my favorite ingredients to work with, PLANTAIN! It sure does look like a banana right? ” What’s the difference? you look like you know much more about it than I do?” These are the words of a store associate at my local target. If you know me personally , you know this is the opening to my favorite conversations. Talking food! All things food make me giggle like a little girl. Want to know what my first answer was?
“It’s actually sold by the pound, not each. I just don’t want to make the 45 minutes drive into Nashville for more affordable plantain”……smile. Its really just plantains, delicious, versatile and super easy to work with. Thicker skinned than bananas and should be cooked before eating. Their trees are also very similar but plantain trees are also bigger. Plantains are also bigger in size than bananas.
The moment she asked “How do you use plantains?”
“Well everything!!!! I’m not much of a baker but for starters, try replacing bananas with plantains”
Then you can move on to the many different dishes you can make using plantains. These are my favorite plantain recipes that are simple, hearty and super simple to make.
1.Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl
My Sweet plantain and black bean bowl, its vegan ,hearty, spicy and oh so delicious. Part of me says I should feel guilty for pan frying, part of me says it’s the best way to treat plantains this ripe. Part of me doesn’t really care because it’s worth every bite!
This bowl almost seem like a breakfast salad…… lets just call it a warm breakfast salad. Inspired by the many random rainbows on our trip to Honolulu a couple of years ago. Simple , quick, colorful and boasting some tropical flavors.
3. Black beans and plantain stew
When a warm, guilt free healthy bowl like this finds its way to your lunch table you say “why the heck not!” Nothing surpasses a warm bowl of soup on a snowy day. These were cooked with tomatoes and a fresh herb blend of basil, green onions, garlic and more; letting the plantain and beans soak up all these wonderful flavors. The dish is strictly vegan but there is room for meats ( preferably precooked)
4. Spicy Cameroon Njangsa Sauce with Trout and ripe plantains
Sometimes plantains are simply enjoyed boiled. In this case they are better ripe, or I enjoy it that way. The sweetness pairs wonderfully with the traditional spicy Njangsa sauce.
5.Shrimp plantain tacos with a mango salsa
These plantain tacos are simply the best. The ripe plantains add some well needed body, making these deliciously satisfying. The sweet and lightly tangy mango chunks pairs wonderfully. Giving the tacos a tropical feel. I absolutely love purple cabbage! It adds a nice crunch and beautiful color. It easily invites you to dig in and take a huge bite.
6. Crispy Fried Ripe Plantains with Black Bean Salsa
This recipe is definitely a plus during game day , movie night or any gathering. So gather these few ingredients and give it a try, you won’t regret it…that I promise you (at least I hope you don’t….)
7. Stewed Pinto Beans with Smoked Trout with fried plantains
This might be another fried plantain recipe but this right here highlights the stewed pinto beans recipe too. This Stewed Pinto Beans with smoked trout is a simple lunch idea that will get you in and out of the kitchen in no time. Sweet plantains? Spicy , flavorsome, smoky stewed beans? Count me in. Dodo and beans as we call it in Cameroon.
8. Baked ripe plantains and beans stew
Yet another plantain recipe! Why not?! I love plantains , I grew up eating plantains, be it fried, grilled , roasted, boiled, baked you name it. I tell ya our bond is unbreakable. This recipe is strictly vegan (I’m not vegan) and I must say dishes like this make me answer one of the questions I always ask my self ” What will I eat if I were vegan”? It’s simple, quick and oh so flavorsome. The sweetness from the plantains complements the buttery nature of the beans perfectly, making each bite sinfully delicious.
9. Cameroon Poulet DG
Poulet, is the French word for Chicken. DG stands for “Directeur Général” Direct translation for this dish reads Director General Chicken. It’s one of those dishes saved for special guests. In fact, I still reserve it for special occasion, in my case dinner at home with some good company. Sometimes I brood over what made it so special such that it graced mom’s dinner table only when my father’s work colleagues were coming over.
10. Baked Semi Sweet Plantain chips
Decadent bites that should be welcomed to any table and occasion. They are delicious , guilt free entertainment treats that usually get guests asking for more. To get crispy baked plantains, you have to give up a little sweetness. If too ripe, you’re better off deep frying to get them crispy. If you would rather take the baking route like I did here, get them semi ripe or green.
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