Three Simple and Original Tips to Enjoy Bananas
There are many ways to enjoy plantains. Roasted, fried, with or without salt, as a side dish or as a snack… Have you ever thought that maybe you eat the same one too often and that perhaps it’s time to change it up a bit?
If you really want to eat bananas in a different way, don’t miss the tips we’re going to share with you below. With simple ideas we’ll guide you to achieve a fantastic and, above all, delicious result.
Original tips to enjoy plantains
Plantains is, without a doubt, one of the most popular fruits in several gastronomic traditions around the world. This is especially true in Latin America, where there’s a variety of delicious and original recipes.
It’s an ingredient that doesn’t go unnoticed due to the variety of uses it has. However, it’s necessary to apply a little ingenuity to take advantage of it.
In addition, the secret lies in the state of the plantain at the moment of adding it to a recipe. So, if it’s ripe, the flavor will be sweeter, while if it’s a little green, it’ll be salty but crunchier. For this reason, it allows to elaborate really exquisite dishes, with great facility to combine with other types of foods and garnishes.
However, what’s really important is to know what we get when we consume plantain, no matter how we consume it. Although plantains are known for being a source of potassium, they also provide fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and inulin, according to the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN).
1. Baked plantains
This way of cooking plantains is a blank canvas as to what you can add to accompany this recipe. Also, you’ll learn how this fruit acts when heat is applied to it.
This way of cooking it preserves most of its nutrients. If you’re a person who prefers sweet versus salty, you’re in the right place with this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe plantains (850 g).
- 5 sheets of aluminum foil.
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted margarine (45 g).
- 2 cups of grated white cheese (300 g).
- 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil (8 mL).
Preparation
- Before starting, you must make sure to remove the skin of the plantains and place them in a mold, without cutting.
- Then, set the oven temperature to 400º C.
- Before introducing the mold with the plantains, you should expect the oven to heat and conserve heat for about 5 minutes.
- Spread the margarine over the plantains in combination with the oil. This will make them look golden on the outside and soft and well cooked on the inside.
- Finally, bake in the oven for 35 minutes and make sure to turn them over so they cook well at 7 minute intervals.
- Once ready, serve and enjoy the plantains!
2. Fried green plantain
This recipe is prepared very frequently in the coastal areas of a large part of Latin America, especially in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. It consists of unripe green plantains in combination with vegetable oil and salt.
Usually, it comes with main dishes such as fish or meat, in combination with salads and mashed potatoes. However, the highlight of this preparation is the simplicity provided by the plantain.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of vegetable oil (110 mL).
- 2 large green plantains (400 g).
- 2 tablespoons of salt (30 g).
Preparation
- In a pan, pour the contents of the cup with vegetable oil and medium heat.
- Then, make sure to remove the skin from the green plantain.
- Keep in mind that while yo’re removing the skin, you must be careful to not to put your hands on your clothes, or you could stain them.
- Now, slice the plantains, so that you can get the most out of the entire fruit.
- When the oil is hot enough, add the green plantain slices and let them brown. Just brown! When you see that the slices are golden, proceed to remove them from the oil.
- With the help of a hammer to crush the plantains, flatten the slices. The idea is that you do it with all of them so that they’re as flat as possible.
- Finally, put them back in the oil over low heat and wait for them to fry for 2 minutes and remove them. Drain excess oil well and serve on a plate with some salt.
3. Sweet ripe plantains
This meals is as delicious as its name, so it’s an ideal option to enjoy plantains. It combines an ideal blend between the natural sweetness of ripe plantain and brown sugar. In addition, the contrast with the red wine delights the palate.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe plantains (700 g).
- 1 cup of brown sugar (100 g).
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil (60 mL).
- 1 cup of red wine (110 mL).
Preparation
- Start by removing the skin of the plantains and cutting them into slices about 2 cm wide.
- Then, make sure you fry them very well. Once this step is completed, pass them to a refractory bowl.
- Then, introduce the brown sugar and the cup of wine to the mixture with the plantains.
- Finally, transfer everything to a pan and let it cook for 20 minutes.
- Serve and decorate to taste. Enjoy!
