Home-made plantain recipes for the weekend

Earlier this week, the Lagos state government warned against buying of ‘Plantain Chips’ over alleged poisonous product in circulation.

For plantain lovers that can’t imagine doing without their favorite snack, here are several other home made plantain recipes you can try this weekend. Not only are they easy to make but they are highly nutritious.

Plantain chips

Who says you have to give up plantain chips totally when you can simply make them at home.

Ingredients needed for this recipe include: 2 large green plantains, 2 tablespoobs olive oil,salt and black pepper to taste.

Instructions

• Cut off both ends of the plantains, and slice into long, thin stripes.
• In a large bowl, coat plantain slices with ollive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
• Deep fry or bake in a 375º F for 20-25 minutes until brown and crispy.

Plantain puff-puff

Plantain puff-puff is simply overripe plantains mashed and mixed with other ingredients then deep-fried in vegetable oil.

Ingredients

1 over-ripe plantain, 3 tablespoons all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons fast action yeast, 8 tablespoons warm water, vegetable oil, habanero pepper and salt to taste.

Instructions

• Mix the fast action yeast with the warm water making sure there are no lumps.
• Peel and mash the overripe plantain till a good blend is achieved.
• Sift the plain flour and the salt into a sizeable bowl.Add the yeast solution and stir till you get a medium consistency. If it is too thick, add a few more tablespoons of warm water and mix till you get a medium consistency.
• Add the mashed plantain. Mix with a spatula till well incorporated.Cover with aluminium foil and leave in a warm place to rest for 10-15 minutes. Beat the batter with a spoon then add the sliced habanero pepper.
• Heat some vegetable oil in a pot.Scoop small amounts of the batter into the oil using your finger tips.
• Fry till golden brown.When done, transfer to a paper-lined sieve to drain. Serve and enjoy.

Plantain Pancake

Plantain pancakes are an alternative for breakfast, resembling traditional pancakes in appearance and consistency. However, their distinct taste, along with a natural sweet aroma, sets them apart.

Ingredients

1 large ripe or overly ripe plantain, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon butter or oil, 1/4 teaspoo nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 2 tablespoon milk, 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

• Peel the plantain and cut them into slices or little chunks. Place the slices in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• Add all the other ingredients and blend until smooth and lump free
• Heat a skillet/frying pan on a medium heat. Brush with a little bit of oil or butter and once it becomes hot, pour the batter about a quarter cup at a time.
• Let it cook for few seconds to a minute until it begins to hold up just like the regular pancake.
• Flip to the other side and cook for few more seconds.Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
• Serve with honey, maple syrup or whatever topping you prefer.

Plantain frittata

This recipe is not just perfect for both kids and adults, it is also an ideal make-ahead-meal. All you do is prepare a large quantity, cut in big cubes, wrap with foil paper and place in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

3 ripe plantains, 3 table spoons olive oil,½ thinly sliced medium onion, ½ medium red bell pepper, ½ medium green bell pepper,½ medium yellow bell pepper,3 garlic cloves,¼ teaspoon curry powder, 1/8 teaspoon thyme,1 seasoning cube, ¼ teaspoon ground pepper, 8 large eggs, 1 cup chopped sausage,Salt to taste,Vegetable oil for frying the plantain.

Instructions

• Heat up 2 cups of vegetable oil in a frying pan.
• Wash ripe plantain thoroughly and peel off the skin . In a mixing bowl, cut the plantain into preferred shape and size, sprinkle salt to taste and mix thoroughly to combine.
• Next gently drop plantain piece after piece into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
• In a skillet, heat up olive oil on medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic for 1 minute.Next add curry powder, thyme, seasoning cube, ground pepper, sausage and salt to taste. Stir and leave to cook for another 3 minutes on medium heat.
• Finally add bell peppers, stir and allow to simmer for 2 minutes, then take off heat and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs and add sautéed vegetables, season with salt and pepper if necessary. Stir to combine all ingredients.
• Pour mixture into a 10-inch greased baking pan or casserole dish. You can grease your pan with cooking spray or melted butter.
• Lay the fried plantain gently on top of the egg mixture.Garnish with some bell peppers to give it a pop of colour.
• Bake in a 350⁰F pre-heated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until mixture is firm in the center. After baking, let it cool for few minutes before serving.

Ukpo ogede (Plantain moi-moi)

Saturday morning is not complete without our breakfast of moi-moi and ogi, say no to the normal moi-moi and embrace plantain moi-moi this Saturday.

Ingredients 

3 overripe plantains, ½ cup sweet corn (optional),

¼ cup unripe plantain flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 scotch bonnet pepper, ½ chopped onion, 3 tablespoon crayfish, 1 tablespoon palm oil, 1 cup water.

Instructions

• If using sweet corn, blend it separately and set aside.
• Blend plantain with water, pepper, and onions until it forms a smooth batter. Combine plantain batter with the separately blended sweet corn in a bowl until the consistency is smooth.
• Add palm oil and plantain flour, mixing thoroughly. Season with salt and ground crayfish.
• If using banana leaves, wash them thoroughly and fold them like moin-moin. Scoop the batter into the leaves and seal. Steam in a pot with water for 25–30 minutes.
• Alternatively, scoop the batter into small ramekins or a baking dish and bake in the oven.
• Serve and enjoy.

There you have it, 5 nutritious plantain recipes to try this weekend. Happy cooking!!!