African Mango Salad is a perfect accomplishment to any main dish. If you have problem in cutting or peeling the mango, you can get a zyliss mango peeler and slicer. African Mango salad offers fantastic combinations of crunchy and soft, sweet and tart. It has the combination of mangoes, pineapples, strawberries and lot more.
African Mango Salad
Beatrice Ige
African Mango Salad is a perfect accomplishment to any main dish. If you have problem in cutting or peeling the mango u can get a zyliss mango peeler and slicer.
Bobotie is a well-known South African dish consisting of spiced meat baked with an egg-based topping. It appears to be a variant of patinam ex lacte which comprises layers of cooked meat, pine nuts, and seasoned with pepper, celery seeds, and asafoetida. It is very delicious when hot.
This dish is often regarded as South Africa’s national dish. It derives from the Cape Malay community, which gave birth to several dishes that are today regarded staples of South African cuisine, such as sosaties and bredie.
Bobotie (pronounced ba-bo-tea) is cooked with well-seasoned ground beef with a creamy, luscious topping. It’s rich, flavorful, spicy, aromatic, and zingy all at the same time. A hearty dinner bursting with African flavors!
Origin of Bobotie
Its origins in South Africa can be traced back to the 17th century. Dutch traders established a camp at what is now Cape Town as a halting point on their way back and forth to Indonesia.
Spices, cooking skills, and recipes were brought by the traders. While the specifics are unclear, some believe the original recipe originated in Indonesia and was altered to accommodate the available components.
Is Bobotie Healthy?
This dish has a delicious flavor with a mix of turmeric spice, and sometimes almonds. Eating bobotie could aid in illness prevention, boosting immunity in the body, and reducing inflammation. It also contains iron and protein, which helps in the proper functioning of your organs and muscles.
How To Prepare Bobotie
This dish is typically prepared with beef or lamb, though pig can also be used. Early versions called for ginger, marjoram, and lemon rind; the addition of curry powder simplified the preparation, but the core concept remained the same. In other versions, chopped onions and almonds are also added to the mixture.
Traditionally, dried fruit such as raisins or sultanas is used in boboties. It’s frequently topped with bay leaves, walnuts, chutney, and bananas. Although the meal is not especially hot, it contains a range of ingredients that can provide complexity. The dried fruit, for example, contrasts the curry flavoring.
The dish’s texture is complex, with the baked egg mixture topping complementing the milk-soaked bread, which adds wetness. Bobotie is typically eaten with “yellow rice,” which is turmeric-infused rice.
Bobotie (Beef Pie)
Beatrice Ige
Bobotie is a well-known South African dish consisting of spiced meat baked with an egg-based topping.
Mandazi, also known as Swahili coconut doughnuts or Swahili buns, is a type of fried bread that originated on the Swahili coast.
The dish is popular in the region because it is easy to make and can be eaten with almost any food or dips, or simply as a snack on its own, and it can be saved and reheated for later consumption.
Mandazi Recipe
This snack is similar to doughnuts in that they have a slightly sweet taste that can be differentiated by the addition of different ingredients.
Many, if not all, people eat this dough for breakfast, and nowadays you may eat them every day because people’s lifestyles have changed so much and most people know how to cook them, as opposed to the old days when this was a Christmas special. Because of the ever-changing planet.
Mandazi is similar to doughnuts in that they have a sweet flavor that can be differentiated by the addition of different ingredients. They are, however, less sugary than doughnuts in the United States and are normally served without any glazing or icing
How To Make Your Mandazi Soft
If your Mandazi comes out hard, it’s because you used too much flour. Mandazi dough should be soft and flexible, easy to roll out, and not hard. You can explore the following to have a soft mandazi.
Make sure your dough is not hard- when kneading your dough, a soft one tends to stick to your hands or the wooden stick or whisk you’re using to mix, so do this to stop that, once you believe you’ve used enough flour, add cooking oil to finish kneading and your problem will be remedied.
You can also use eggs to make your mandazi soft.
When combining the dough, use a generous amount of cooking oil.
Below is the step-by-step recipe on how to make this easy recipe. If you make it don’t forget to leave a comment. Enjoy!
Manadazi
Beatrice Ige
Manadazi,also known as Swahili coconut doughnut or Swahili buns is a form of fried bread that originated on the Swahili coast the dish is popular in the region, as it is convenient to make and can be eaten with almost any food or dips.
Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, cardamon and salt in a large bowl.
Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl, make a well at the center of dry ingredients and add the egg mixture and mix together until mixture forms a soft dough, you can add little flour if it is too sticky. Cover dough with a wet towel or plastic wrap and leave for 20 - 30 minute or even longer.
Heat oil in a frying pan, while oil is heating, roll dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle shape cut round with a glass or small biscuit cutter, you can use a knife too until all of dough is cut.
Fry in batches for some minutes until both sides turn brown then remove from oil.
Meat Pie is a pie with a filling of meat and often other savory ingredients. Nigerian “meat pie” is similar to the Jamaican beef patty, it can be baked or fried and the filling can be almost anything from corned beef to onions and tomatoes.
I enjoy eating mine while hot with a soft drink or chilled Juice. Do you want to learn how to make a perfect meat pie? this recipe is for you
What Is Meat Pie Made Of?
Meat pie is light and slightly flaky and it’s made with well seasoned Ground Beef (minced Beef), potatoes, and carrots. They are a comfort to the soul and a delight to the palate. They can be eaten as breakfast, brunch, or as a snack.
They are very popular in West Africa and Nigeria. If you haven’t tasted the Nigerian meat pie you must try this recipe ASAP, they are the ultimate comfort food!
Why Is My Meat Pie Hard?
There could be so many reasons why it came out dry.
 -It could be that you did not make use of enough margarine as stated in the recipe. The amount of margarine used should be equivalent in ratio to that of plain flour you are using(that is 2:1).
-If you use 500 grams of plain flour, your margarine should be 250 grams.
-If you use less, like 250 grams of plain flour, your margarine should be 125 grams and the same goes for higher quantities too.
– If you make use of 1000 grams(1kg) of plain flour, then your margarine should be 500 grams.
Another common cause of a hard Meat Pie is heat. While making, it is advisable to put the oven temperature between 170ºC to 200 ºC(335F to 400F)
And also check it from time time. This is because the heating capacity of various ovens differ and by checking it you would know when the meat pies begin to harden and brown.
Make sure you take them out of the oven the moment it is ready and leave to cool outside not in the oven.
How To Thicken Meat Pie Filling
If you’ve ever made a meat pie sauce you know that one of the challenges is to get that right consistency. You don’t want it to be too runny, nor too thick.
One of the most common tricks you might have used in such a case is to add a little bit of flour or corn starch. A spoonful can already do wonders here.
What Is The Best Temperature For Baking Pie?
I always recommend oven temperature between 170ºC to 200 ºC(335F to 400F), but note that the heating capacity of various ovens differ, so check your meat pies from time to time.
Tips To Make The Best Meat Pie
Sometimes I add a tablespoon of sugar to the dough to give it a hint of sweetness. This gives it a nice variation in taste.
Use milk in place of water if you would like a richer dough.
I usually brush the top of my pies with egg again half way through baking. This makes them extra glossy.
Place a large saucepan on medium heat, add the vegetable oil, onions, ground beef stir until the ground beef starts to turn brown.
Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for some minutes.
Taste to make sure it is well spiced, add a little bit more of spices as needed. In a small bowl add your flour and mix in a little bit of water to form a thick paste. Add the paste and stir for some minutes. The stuffing should be thick and tasty.
For dough
Grease the oven tray with butter and set aside.
Beat the egg and set aside too
Put the flour, baking powder, salt and butter in a bowl, use your hands to mix the ingredients until they start to feel like bread crumbs
Slowly begin to add some cold water and mix until you get a stiff dough (knead the dough)
Roll the dough on a flat surface and using a round object or a knife, cut a round circle. Place the filling at the middle of the dough and rub the egg lightly around the edges, close it up using a fork or better still you use meat pie cutter to press it down.
Glaze the top of the pie with the egg gently.
Place the pie on the greased oven tray and place in a preheated oven to bake for 30 minute. The pie will be golden brown when done.
Fried bananas is a popular desert and snack in Thailand and throughout southeast Asia. Give this crunchy but sweet treat a try as it’s very easy and quick. This snack is best enjoyed with chilled juice or others as desired.
Bananas are one of the world’s most widely available fruits. These nutrient-dense fruits are convenient to consume on the go and provide instant energy.
Because of their sweet flavor and creamy texture, they are a popular ingredient in a variety of dishes, including cakes, breads, and puddings.
Where Does Fried Bananas Come From?
Fried bananas are a popular dessert and snack food in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and other neighboring countries, the dish is also known as goreng pisang.
Making fried bananas as good as those sold by street food vendors in Thailand and elsewhere can be difficult. But, you can try. Don’t get discouraged.
Are Fried Bananas Healthy?
It’s made with honey’s natural sugars, flavored with cinnamon, and cooked in olive oil, though you can also use coconut oil. This is a better option than eating junk food to satisfy my craving.
Crunchy Fried Bananas
Beatrice Ige
Fried bananas is a popular desert and snack in Thailand and throughout southeast Asia. Give this crunchy but sweet treat a try as it's very easy and quick.
Put the egg in a bowl, whisk together the egg, coconut, milk and water.
Sift the cake flour , corn flour, baking soda, add a pinch of salt into a bowl. mix in the brown sugar.
Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir to form a smooth batter.
Mix the remaining corn flour on a plate and set aside.
Cut the bananas into your desired shapes, dip the banana, dip the bananas in the batter until well coated. Roll in the coconut and corn flour mixture until well coated.
Heat the oil in a fry pan, when hot, fry the coated bananas on both sides until it turns golden and crunchy.
Drain on the paper towels if you are not serving straight away, set on a baking sheet, cover with foil and keep warm.
Serve with coconut ice cream and toasted coconut flakes.
If you want to successfully skip carbs for a moment, you may want to explore Zogale (Moringa Salad). It is a dish packed with vitamins and minerals!
Despite the fact that it has been present in northern Nigeria for decades, Moringa (zogale) has taken root. People have testimonies of eating in in a variety of forms. These varieties include; “Kwadon zogale,” “miyar zogale,” and “dambun zogale”.
Moringa
The roots of the plant specie is found in the Himalayan foothills of northwestern India. Moringa tree cultivation is on the rise across Africa, Asia, South America, Jamaica, and the rest of the tropics. Moringas can be grown all year in tropical and subtropical areas, as well as once a year in more temperate climates.
It’s grown for its immature seed pods and leaves, which are eaten as vegetables and used in traditional herbal medicine. It can also be used to purify water.
Where Does Zogale (Moringa Salad) And Macaroni Come From?
This delicacy from the Northern a part of Nigeria is considered one of such nutritious meals with extraordinary style and wonderful health advantages. It is satisfying too.
Moringa recipes have been popular in Nigeria and around the world since the 1990s. This is the result of extensive scientific research into its numerous nutritional benefits, as well as widespread public awareness of its use.
Health Benefits Of Zogale (Moringa Salad) And Macaroni
This recipe has numerous health advantages. Moringa itself is a nutrient-dense plant and It’s a good calorie source (64 per 100g).
Many other medical benefits have been discovered, including anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-hypertensive, mood-stabilizing effects, protection of critical body organs (liver, kidney, heart, testes, and so on), and decreasing blood cholesterol levels.
How To Prepare Moringa Salad
There’s nothing like a fresh, nutrient-dense salad, and this moringa salad (kwadon Zogale) is a filling bowl of deliciousness.
Another beauty fact about this easy-to-make salad is the abundance of nutrients contained in just a handful of moringa.
Where Do I Get Moringa From?
Do you know you can pick fresh moringa leaves from your garden, wash them, and eat them?
Moringa can be consumed in a variety of ways. The following recipe which is Moringa salad with macaroni, is one.
Groundnut Soup, also known as “Peanut soup” it’s a delicious soup that looks and almost taste like Egusi Soup.
This soup is a mainstay in most African cuisines, as well as several other cultures such as East Asia’s Taiwan and the United States Virginia. It’s comforting, nourishing, and flavorful. It’s also quite adaptable, making it appropriate for any season.
It is popular in the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria but in different ways. Groundnut soup is particularly common among the Etsako people of Edo state. It’s known as Omisagwe to the Estako’s.
This Soup is made with groundnut (peanuts). It can be thick or watery, and it can be made with or without vegetable leaves. Bitter leaves are traditionally used in groundnut soup, however if Bitter leaves are unavailable, Ugu or Spinach leaves can be substituted.
Is Groundnut Soup Good For Health?
Yes it is! The presence of Omega-3 fatty acids in this soup helps maintain a healthy heart. The low-carb legume is also surprisingly rich in antioxidants, which reverse the ageing process and help rejuvenate hair and skin.
How To Prepare Groundnut Soup
The west African peanut soup has a wonderful combination of flavors, and it’s loaded with a lot of protein from the Peanuts! This recipe couldn’t be easier to make and it can be prepared with additions of Meat like Chicken, Beef or Lamb, Fish, and vegetables.
The ground peanuts take the soup up a notch with that punch of flavor and it also serves as a thickener.
Notes
The stock recovered from the beef will be used to season our soup so be generous with the water. If the sock tastes too light feel free to add more seasoning
I used Roasted Peanuts for this recipe, however, you can choose to use raw peanuts and roast your peanuts by yourself.
It is advisable to leave the nuts to become warm before blending them so as not to damage your blender.
You can blend the nuts with a coffee grinder, spice blende dry mill grinder or simply use a small mortar and pestle to pound it.
In Africa, we tend to like some texture retained in our meat, hence the 30 to 40 minutes cook time. However, if you want your meat slightly more tender feel free to boil it for a longer time.
Keep an eye on the stew and check about every 5 minutes or thereabouts after adding the nuts because the stew has the tendency to burn faster at this point.
After the peanut soup is done, feel free to adjust the thickness to your desired consistency. You can add more stock to lighten it up or cook it for few more minutes for a thicker consistency.
Groundnut Soup, also known as "Peanut soup" is a delicious soup that looks and almost taste like Egusi Soup. It is popular in the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria but in different ways.
Boil the meats first, the tougher meats first, put them into a pot and place on a cooker on medium heat. Add water to cover, add onions, seasoning cube and salt. Boil till slightly tender.
Add the softer meats, if you are using tough dried stock fish add at this time, add the atarodo (scotch bonnet) and the crayfish and boil till soft.
At this point start preparing your groundnut paste. (Roasted groundnut will be preferred here).
Put the groundnut into a blender or dry mill, blend till smooth.
Add some of the stock into the blended groundnut, add the Uziza, onions and crayfish, blend till you get a thick fine paste and set aside.
Wash and cut the pumpkin leaves into tiny pieces, if you are using bitter leaf, wash very well to reduce the bitter taste.
This time, check on your meats, add the smoked fish, switch off the heat and leave the smoked fish to simmer in the stock for some minutes.
Add water to reduce the heat to low.
Add palm oil into the stock, leave to combine.
Add the groundnut paste gradually, don't add much groundnut paste so as to control how thick or watery you want your soup to look, add seasoning cube and salt.
Stir and combine, make sure its not clumpy, add the washed bitter leaves or pumpkin leaves (Don't add much).
Switch off the heat and add the Efirin or Basil leaves.
Agua Fresca is a refreshing fruit drink, especially during hot summer. It is also known as Cucumber Extract Mint Drink and is available in most African countries and you can actually make them yourself.
This drink is cool, sweeet and is great alongside spicy food. Enjoy this cucumber version as is, or add a splash of gin to turn it into a light aperitif or a delightful afternoon cocktail.
What is Agua Fresca?
Agua fresca, translated as fresh water or cool water is a chilled nonalcoholic drink popular in Mexico and Central America. It is most often made by blending fruit or soaked grains or by steeping plant blossoms in water.
It combines fresh fruit and/or vegetables with water and a little sugar (or agave) for sweetness. Some traditional recipes include grains and nuts as well.
Is a Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca Healthy?
Yes! Cucumbers are absolutely a nutrient-dense food. Cucumbers have a myriad of health benefits, including:
They are incredibly hydrating, with a 96% water content.
High amounts of antioxidants may help reduce chronic disease risk.
Cucumbers may help with digestive regularity due to their water and fiber content.
So from a general nutrition perspective, this cucumber lime agua fresca can absolutely be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet!
It’s the Cucumber juice base that seems to have the effect of lowering one’s body temperature, it also help those who have been struggling with losing some weight. This drink not only helps in reducing the swelling of your stomach but also burn fat in stomach areas.
How To Prepare Cucumber Extract Mint Drink
Our Cucumber Ginger Mint  recipe is quick and easy to make. You simply throw all the ingredients in the blender and puree it until the mixture is very smooth.
The blender breaks down the sugar, so it dissolves into the water. Therefore, there’s no need to make a simple syrup ahead of time.
Aqua Fresca recipes make fabulous nonalcoholic summer mocktails. You can serve them as-is or add a splash of lemon-lime soda for a little effervescence.
You can also turn agua fresca into a perky alcoholic summer cocktail by simply adding a shot of vodka, tequila, or rum.
For the ultimate treat, serve over lots of crushed ice and a wedge or two of fresh lime juice.
Can I Sweeten to my Preference?
Everyone in my family truly enjoys the simplicity of this beverage without sweeteners, but we all have difference preferences.
If you prefer your cucumber lime agua fresca a little sweeter, feel free to add a little sweetener to taste. Sugar is used in traditional recipes, but you can also use sweeteners like:
Coconut sugar
Agave syrup
Honey
Non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or allulose.
Did you make this recipe? Give it a rating below!
Cucumber Extract Mint Drink (Agua frescas)
Beatrice Ige
Agua Frescas are refreshing fruit drink especially during hot summer, Cucumber Extract Mint Drink (Agua frescas) is available in most African countries and you can actually make them yourself.
Slice your Cucumber and put in a blender, adding other ingredients like mint leaves, gin and water (add enough water) blend until smooth.
Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the puree through it, use spoon or rubber spatula to press against the sieve so as to extract as much liquid out as possible.
Put the ice cubes in a glass cup or large pitcher and add the juice.
Cucumber Extract Mint Drink ready to be served.
Nutrition
Calories: 70kcal
Keyword Agua Frescas, Cucumber Extract Mint Drink, Fruit Drink
Nigerian Buns is one of the popular snacks in Nigeria. They are fried dough balls with crunchy outer crusts.
What’s there not to love about these Nigerian buns? They are super easy to make and good. They come together in only a few minutes and with two batches of frying, you are done.
What Are Nigerian Buns?
Nigerian buns are a sweet, fried delicacy popular in West Africa. Flour, baking powder, milk, and sugar are used to make the batter, which can be flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, or any other flavoring.
Buns are the closest sibling to the Nigerian Puff Puff which is basically a fried yeast dough.
Difference Between Puff-Puff and Buns
Puff-puff for the most part is made with yeast and has a somewhat chewy interior with very few ingredients.
On the other hand, Nigerian buns are richer in flavor with the addition of eggs, butter and milk -crunchy on the outside very soft on the inside.
I love both puff puff and buns but in terms of oil consumption, I prefer buns as it doesn’t soak up so much oil when frying.
How To Prepare Nigerian Buns
Nigerian Buns can be tricky, If it’s not properly mixed or when the measurements are not accurate.
Also, keep in mind that there are about as many ways to make buns as there are people. This version is slightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. My recipe is not overly sweet either. So you can add a bit more sugar if you want it sweeter.
In addition, I used nutmeg as a flavoring in this recipe. You can use vanilla, cinnamon, or any other flavoring you want in place of that.
Slight variations like these are common. However, you are free to use this recipe as a blueprint, making it once and adjusting according to your taste.
Nigerian Bun Frying Technique
So many people have complained about uncooked buns. Sometimes they complained of their buns getting soaked in the oil, thereby messing up the whole thing.
The best way to fry the buns is by making sure your frying oil is on medium heat. It’s not too hot, and it’s not too cold. Attempt to keep the heat temperature under control; if it becomes too hot, turn it down.
Immediately you realize the temperature is going down, you can increase it again.
In this way, you’ll be sure you are doing it right. Allow for a minimum of 8 minutes of frying time for the buns. It takes a little longer to fry than a Nigerian puff puff.
Why Are My Buns Hard?
Hard buns means that you are either frying on too low heat and for too long, OR the dough you started off with was not kneaded well enough.
Can I Bake Nigerian Buns?
Absolutely no! The only way is to fry it. You can’t have crispy and crunchy buns by baking it. You can only fry.
Why Does My Buns Soak Oil?
The oil should not be too hot or warm. If it’s too hot, it will be left uncooked and if is too warm, it will soak the oil. Start scooping the dough in the oil. When both sides are golden brown, remove and drain.
How To Serve Buns
The Nigerian Buns are eaten mainly as a snack but they can also be eaten as breakfast served with tea. It is also best enjoyed with a very chilled drink
These are so delicious when served hot or at room temperature. These snacks would be great for a party, picnic, a side dish for a meal, and it is also loved by the kids too
Storage and Reheating
They are best eaten the day you make them. However, you can keep them for up to 1-2 days. They will still be okay but not as fresh as the first day you make them.
You can preserve it in the refrigerator in a tight container for 5-6 days without getting bad.
You can reheat in the microwave by using the lowest temperature for 1 minute.
Tips For Best Buns Results
Don’t make big balls else the buns will not cook through on the inside
The oil that is too cool will make the buns soak up way too much oil and oil that is too hot will just crisp your buns too quickly without cooking it through on the inside. So if you are in doubt about the temperature of the oil, it’s okay to test the temperature of the oil with a quick read thermometer to ensure it isn’t too cool or too hot.
If you don’t have a cooking thermometer, you can test fry one scoop of the batter before adding the remaining. That will help determine if your oil is the perfect temperature for frying.
Reduce the heat each time you are frying a new batch then turn the heat back up for even cooking. This way the buns doesn’t turn brown quickly without cooking through.
Add flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in a small bowl and mix.
Whisk the egg (that’s if u will be making use of any) and pour into the melted butter and mix until it looks lumpy.
Put the sugar and milk in a cup of water and mix, making sure the sugar granules dissolve completely. Pour it into the flour and mix continuously, mix till you get stretchy sticky dough.
Put the fry pan on the cooker and heat the oil on medium heat.
When the oil is hot, scoop the dough into the hot oil and leave to fry till golden brown on both sides for about 5 minutes.
When done, put the fried buns onto a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Fried plantains are thick slices of ripe plantains that have been lightly salted and deep-fried in oil until golden brown. The outcome is a caramel-like brown crust with a soft and highly sweet inside that is savory-sweet.
This recipe is so easy to create that you could do it blindfolded. It does not necessitate the use of any additional ingredients or the use of sophisticated cooking procedures. Even though they’re simple to make, these fried sweet plantains never fail to satisfy! Learn how to fried plantain like a pro.
Fried Plantain
Plantains are a popular snack in many parts of the world, including West Africa, East Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.
Let’s just say plantain is very popular wherever Plantains grow. You’ll never get bored eating them because they can be prepared in so many different ways. They can be baked into chips, used as a pizza crust, or fried with eggs (or even by themselves). They’re delicious on both sweet and savory levels.
In Nigeria Fried Plantain is called “Dodo“, in Cote d’ivoire it is called “Alloco” and “Kelewele” (Spicy plantain) in Ghana.
What Are Plantains?
Plantains are similar to bananas, except they are starchier and can be eaten ripe or unripe. Plantains are frequently served as a main course or as a side dish in West Africa and other parts of Africa.
Ripe plantains, on the other hand, can be eaten raw because their starches have been converted to sugars. They differ from bananas in that they are larger and longer, have thicker skins, and are brilliant green (becoming black as they ripen).
Bananas vs. Plantains
Bananas and plantains are both members of the same family. That is without a doubt the case!
There are, nevertheless, some distinctions. Plantains have more starch and less sugar than bananas. They have a high starch content and a fairly mild flavor when immature. As a result, they’re utilized in many savory recipes in the same way that most people use potatoes. They should not be eaten uncooked when they are still green.
Bananas, on the other hand, are traditionally not eaten before they are fully ripe. When they’re ripe and sweet, they’re eaten raw. They have thinner skins, and when they’re ripe, their skin becomes a lovely yellow color.
Another advantage to fresh plantains is that they have more vitamin C, A, and potassium than bananas. Are plantains a healthy food? Of course, they are. Here is a good comparison chart for plantain vs. banana that describes in detail how they differ.
Types Of Plantain
Plantains are only one type, however they come in three hues depending on their age. Green comes first, followed by yellow, and then black.
Plantains that are ripe/yellow
Yellow plantains, commonly known as Platanos Maduros have lower carbohydrate content. Because they are ripe, the starch in them has been transformed to sugar, they become delicious.
They’re great on their own at this point, with or without salt. They can be cut and fried to make sweet fried plantains, which are a fun side dish or snack to serve at celebrations. You can even cook them on the grill!
Plantains in their natural state
Green plantains can be used in the same way that potatoes are. They can be boiled, mashed, or fried. They are high in starch and not sweet, but the starch is converted to sugar as they age.
Green plantains are commonly steamed like potatoes and turned into chips (fried or baked plantain chips).
Plantains that are overripe or black
We also have black plantains that have been matured. They are the sweetest of the three phases and have a mushy texture when touched.
This is one of my favorite baking and pancake ingredients; you can see how I used it to make plantain cake here and my favorite breakfast pancakes here.
Some people enjoy frying black-aged plantains because they are quite sweet. If that’s the case, I’d advise you to avoid deep frying because it absorbs a lot of oil. Shallow fried them in a small bit of oil or butter until they are slightly browned and caramelized on both sides.
Ways To Cook Plantains
Cooked plantain can be eaten ripe or unripe and it can be fried using both stages in plantain life. If you don’t want to fry it, here are some other methods to prepare it. Plantains can be fried, baked, boiled, roasted, or grilled once they have been cooked.
It’s vital to choose plantain wisely based on the recipe you’ll be making with it. The skin of mature plantains is yellow and spotty, but the skin of unripe plantains is green, thicker, and more difficult to peel.
Place a pan or frying pan/skillet on medium heat, add vegetable oil and move on to preparing the plantain while the oil gets hot. It usually takes about a minute or two to heat up.
Using a sharp knife, cut both ends of the plantain, make an incision on the skin from top to bottom and peel the plantain.
Slice the plantain diagonally to about half an inch.
Carefully add the sliced plantain to the hot oil and fry on both sides until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the oil in the pan so that the plantain can cook evenly
Remove plantain from the hot oil and drain on a kitchen towel. Sprinkle salt on hot plantain and toss to combine. Plantain can be served hot, warm or cold.
Tips:
Be mindful of the quantity of salt you add, a little goes a long way.
Plantains can also be fried in a deep fryer
For healthier fried plantain, use 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to fry 1 plantain but keep an eye so it doesn’t burn.
Should I Peel Plantains Before Frying?
You need to peel plantains before frying the only time you can cook plantains without peeling is if you are making boiled plantains.
Is It Possible To Bake Plantain Instead Of Frying It?
I would say it depends on how sweet you like your plantains. The level of sweetness of the plantain depends on its color. The color ranges from Green (unripe and not sugary ) to yellow ( ripe and sugary ) and finally black ( over ripe and very sugary ).
Are Fried Plantains Healthy?
Because of the combination of oil (from frying ) and the starch content of plantains some people see fried plantains as unhealthy.
A combination of oil and carbs isn’t good for your waist line. Plantains are rich in Vitamins and Potassium so there are ways to indulge without missing out. Indulging on a plate of fried sweet plantains once in a while isn’t bad.
How To Serve Fried Plantains
Plantains make a great meal either as a side dish or as a main meal. Below are some of the dishes you can serve with fried plantains and my favorite is beans
You can store leftover fried plantain in the fridge or freezer.
Fried plantains that have been stored in the refrigerator can easily be reheated by popping them into the microwave on a single layer in a paper towel lined plate.
I hope I have been able to help out in a way or two. If you’d like to know more about plantains you can read my thorough write-up on fun fact about plantain here. Enjoy!
Fried Plantain
Beatrice Ige
Fried Plantain is very popular wherever Plantains grow. In Nigeria Fried Plantain is called"Dodo", in Cote d'ivoire it is called "Alloco".
