Plantain Pops..

“All you need is love. But a little plantain now and then doesn't hurt.” 

The love of plantain is the beginning of food experiments. If you are one of those cool africans (no shades :)) that find plantains endearing then you must seek exploratory ways of serving them. This helps counter the platitude "too much of everything is bad". Having that in mind, I went for plantain pops! Yes you read that right. My foodies that are very familiar with my cooking style would tell you that we don't do basic over here "LOL". At this point someone cannot wait for me to quickly drop the recipe and cooking directions right? I also gave out another way you can serve it which is shown in the pictures below. Now let us get down to what brought us here.....

Plantain Pops:



Ingredients : Plantain:
  • 3 - 4 plantains depending on the number of guests
  • Salt to taste

Direction: Plantain
  • Wash the ripe plantains and peel. 
  • Cut the plantains into round chunks.

  • Place the plantain chunks into a bowl, add a little salt and shake to mix thoroughly.
Frying:
  • Place a clean frying pan on a medium heat stove and add vegetable or olive oil enough to cover the plantains when dipped into it.
  • Once the oil starts to drizzle, gently place the salted plantain chunks into the hot oil and slightly reduce the heat to enable slow frying. This way the plantains fry from inside instead of browning without frying.
    • The very basic tip to find out if the oil is ready is to toss an already cut onion inside and once the oil sizzles then it is ready!

  • Allow the plantains to fry and turn to the other side until golden brown. 
  • Gently remove the fried plantains and place in a paper-towel covered colander to drain excess oil. 
  • Set aside to cool and get ready to prepare the filling.

Ingredients : Filling

  • One tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil.
  • One medium onions finely chopped. (if preferred or in chunks).
  • 4 sprigs of romaine hearts (The inner part of the lettuce as they are usually smaller in sizes).
  • Half pound of lamb meat
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika, oregano and rosemary spice (Fresh oregano and rosemary can also be used).
  • 1 tomato paste
  • 1 Red bell pepper
  • Lamb broth
  • 1/2 stock cube (chicken or beef).
  • 1 habanero or more if you love spicy food.
  • 3 sweet peppers for garnishing.
  • Salt to taste.
  • Toothpick for garnishing.


tomato, habanero and bell pepper

sweet peppers

Prep: 
  • Properly wash both hands.
  • Slice the onion into fine cubes.
  • Cut the lamb meat into cubes

  • Finely slice the habanero and dice the sweet peppers for garnishing.
  • Cut the romaine hearts into a flat shape.

Directions: Lamb Sauce
  • Set a medium sized pot on a low heat and add vegetable/olive oil. 
  • After 5 - 7 mins, gently add your finely chopped onion, one teaspoon of tomato paste, sliced habanero and sweet peppers simultaneously, increase the heat and stir. cover for about 4mins and watch closely. 

  • Add the lamb meat, stir for about 3 mins then add your condiments (thyme, oregano, stock cube, and salt). Add a little lamb broth and cover to steam. 



  • Watch closely while the pot is covered to cook for 2 mins. 
  • Add paprika for flavor and stir.
  • Taste for seasoning.
  • Cook on a low heat for about 5 mins and your lamb sauce is ready.
  • Using a clean spoon, pick out the meat and place on a clean plate. 
  • Pour the fried plantain into the sauce and stir, this would enhance the taste of the plantain.


Serving: Method 1
  • Place the plantains and sauce on a clean serving bowl.



  • Pass a washed toothpick through the pepper, meat, lettuce and plantain in the order you prefer.

  • Place each on a clean serving bowl
  • Serve with a cold home made orange drink (It would be on the blog as soon as possible)
  • Bon Appetit!
Serving: Method 2

  • Dish the plantain, lamb sauce into a bowl and garnish with lettuce.

  • Serve with a cold home made orange drink (It would be on the blog as soon as possible)
  • Bon Appetit!







Thank you for visiting the blog today!!! I am here to solve all your food conundrums! I want you to know that you are so SPECIAL to me. One more thing, Don't forget to check back for more innovative food ideas coming your way.

Leave a comment if I impressed you with this one :). THANK YOU!



Contact Information:
For your catering services, you can reach me through @dishesbyq@gmail.com
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