Three (3) Unconventional Ways to Cook with Plantain
Dodo, Kpekere, Boli, Plantain chips, however, you choose to call it. You can’t help but fall in love with the Nigerian favorite that is plantain. This delicious Nigerian staple has been in our kitchens for years and with time has gone through its share of evolution. A huge part of that is how it is used.
Plantain can be prepared in many ways, the most popular ones being fried, roasted, boiled and dried. However, there are many other uses of plantain apart from as a main meal, a side dish or something you eat to forget you just spent 4 hours in Lagos traffic.
Plantains can easily become very useful ingredients in the kitchen and we’re going to show you how in three (3) ways;
1. To thicken soups & sauces
There are many ways to thicken soups, using oats and boiled potatoes being two of them, but a sweeter option is to use plantain. When boiled in water, the starch in the plantain starts to emit and this aids in thickening the liquid.
Add a few chunks of yellow plantain (one that’s not black) to your soups or sauce for a rich & thick consistency and an added sweetness that will take your meal to the next level.
2. To prepare a casserole with a plantain twist
Straight from the coast of Puerto Rico comes a delicious meal called Pastelon. This rich dish is similar to the Lasagna but is covered with mashed plantains instead of pasta. Using yellow plantains, this adds a sweet and savory twist to the dish that will definitely make it a favorite in your home.
3. As a healthy breakfast option
Can we all agree that one of the biggest struggles in eating healthy is finding what to eat? Well, I bring you good news – you can use plantains! You can get a savory plantain soup going for a healthy boost in the morning.
Simply dice and blend green plantains (adding very little water) transfer to a saucepan on medium heat, add some almond or coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little vanilla extract and continuously stir for 10 minutes. Leave to cool and thicken and you’ll have a meal that’ll excite your stomach and your scale.
There you have it – three unconventional ways to cook with plantain. If you know other unconventional ways, please share so we can all have a great meal!
Photo Credit: Dooney’s Kitchen | Full of Plants | Skinny Taste | That Girl Cooks Healthy
