Page 93 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 8

AFRIKAN FOODS

plantains in the produce section of your grocery store, plantains may also be available dried or ground into flour.
Plantains are popular among packaged foods as well and can be found as dried or fried plantain chips.

(Nutrition information source: verywellfit.com)
Recipe
Course: Dessert

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 40 min.

Ingredients
3 large plantains or normal bananas
1/2tsp freshly-grated nutmeg
1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthwise
1 tsp salt

3 tbsp brown sugar or sweetener of your choice
6 cardamom pods or half a teaspoon cardamom powder
6 cinnamon leaves (or 4 cinnamon sticks)
600ml coconut milk

(Make sure all your ingredients are organic to avoid unhealthy toxins from pesticides & GMO produce).
Instructions

1. Peel the bananas (or plantains) and split them in half lengthwise.
2. Now cut each half in half lengthwise again.
3. Arrange the pieces in a large saucepan with a heavy base and add all the spices.
4. Pour the coconut milk over the top and bring everything to a brisk boil.
5. Cook for 10 minutes at this heat and then reduce to a simmer and cook, without covering the pan for about
30 minutes more or until the plantains or bananas are completely tender.
6. Remove the vanilla pod and cinnamon leaves or sticks.

Recipe Notes

• If you do not have fresh vanilla, you can substitute with 1 tsp vanilla essence
• If you are using fresh vanilla, you may decide to slit the pod in two and scrape only the seeds and discard the
pod. In the Creole Ladob we use the whole pod and seeds and remove them after the Ladob is cooked if required.
• If you cover your pot fully, sometimes the steam created within the pot can curdle your sauce, especially
if you are using fresh coconut milk or cream. However, if you are using tinned coconut milk or cream that may at
times have a thickness like gelatin which makes the coconut milk more stable, you may decide to cover your pot.

I guarantee you will love this dessert, enjoy cooking this dish and please let us know how it turned out for you by
leaving a comment below.

WWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 8 | SEPT/OCT 2020 93