PLANTAIN AND PECAN MUFFIS

Ok guys here it is, my final instalment in the plantain series. I know this one took a while to come but believe me it is so worth the wait. When I started the recipe testing to use plantain in new ways this was the one I was most excited about.

I was super nervous throughout the process because I wasn’t sure if they were going to taste like I had imagined they would but as I took the first bite they were even better than I could have imagined. I am so in love with this recipe, it has definitely become one of my favourites.

These are real muffins, not those little muffins that are basically glorified cupcakes, these are big with a nice high dome and packed full of flavour. Now don’t get me wrong I love cupcakes too but its a bit disappointing when you are expecting a muffin and you get a small dainty cupcake, there is a time and a place for small and dainty and that time isn’t when I want a muffin.

This batter comes together so quickly and you don’t even need a mixer; one thing that i definitely recommend is resting the batter overnight. I have done this with all my muffins since I read about it in a cookbook (Bouchon bakery by Thomas Keller if you are interested) and I promise you it is completely worth it. Resting the batter gives the flour time to hydrate, thicken and build some gluten which gives structure and helps result in a tender, moist muffin when  baked.................................. in English that means rest your batter  J.

MINI PLANTAIN PANCAKE MUFFINS

Hey guys, I’m back to continue my plantain series. I have been having so much fun experimenting with plantain. I should have probably posted this recipe last week so that you guys could have made them for shrove Tuesday or pancake Tuesday  but I’m not that organised of a blogger yet, but on the plus side pancakes can be enjoyed anytime so I’m sure you will forgive me.

As much as I love pancakes, sometimes I’m just not in the mood to  stand next to the hob frying a whole bunch of batter so when I saw these mini pancake muffins from bakerella I practically sprinted to get out my mini muffin tin.

I stirred some ripe mashed plantain into the pancake batter to make these super cute mini plantain pancake muffins. These are so delicious and a cinch to make and can easily be scaled up or down.

PLANTAIN AND SWEET POTATO MASH

Yes you read the title right, plantain in a mash.............................................

Plantain is something that I eat fairly often and just like most Nigerians I eat it in the same ways - dodo, boiled plantain or abatakoko. I am always looking for new ways to use ingredients and food items that I grew up eating and plantain has been on my tackle list for a while now.

My next three posts (this one included) will have plantain as the main ingredient but used in new and delicious ways; I'm pretty excited about this so lets kick things off.

This mash is delicious! seriously it really is, I'm not gonna lie I had my doubts but I am so happy that I decided to make it because not only is it scrummy it's super healthy and makes a great alternative to mashed potatoes.

Not convinced to make it yet? Did you know that plantain is a super food and that half a cup of cooked plantain contains about 3g of resistant starch that boosts metabolism and burns fat (source: health.com).

DODO GIZZARD

This is one of my absolute favourite Nigerian side dishes, seriously guys i could eat this by the bucketload! I just love the balance of flavours; it’s sweet from the very ripe plantains and spicy from the pepper sauce.

If you've ever been to a party in Nigerian party or get together you must have had or at least been offered dodo gizzard or gizdodo or gizdo or whatever name you call it.

You don't have to wait till your next party to have dodo gizzard, its pretty easy to make at home. I will admit that it does involve quite a few steps as it has three separate components but don't  let that put you off this because the outcome is so worth it.

Plus you could make the gizzard and the pepper sauce in advance and heat them up just before you mix it all together. Just make sure you fry the plantain when you need it, reheated plantain is HORRIBLE. 

MONICA (FISH AND PLANTAIN) SKEWERS WITH A SPICY PEPPER SAUCE

3 days to Christmas guys, are you excited? I really am but I am even more excited about this recipe. It is an appetiser version of one of my favourite Nigerian meals ‘Monica’. For those that don’t know it is whole grilled tilapia fish served on a bed of dodo (fried plantain) with a very spicy scotch bonnet sauce.

I think I might actually like this version more than the actual Monica as it is easier to eat because you don’t  need to worry about bones and you don’t have to get your hands dirty (believe me to really enjoy Monica you need to eat with your hands) making it great for Christmas or any party.

I have done in two parts, first the skewers and then the pepper sauce. The pepper sauce is spicy but not as spicy as the one you would get with Monica as I wanted to brush it on the fish and plantain and not have people heads blowing off but if you love VERY spicy food just add more scotch bonnets and in the same vein if spice isn't your thing leave out the scotch bonnets.

The sauce is just like ata din din (fried pepper sauce) and if you have some left over you can stir it into some fried chicken or meat or use it as the sauce for dodo gizzard or just simply enjoy with rice.