Food  

Kelewele (Spicy Plantain)

By Akachi Ikechukwu-Nnamani

21 March 2022   |   10:30 am

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Our never-ending squabble about who cooks the best jollof rice between Nigeria and Ghana is one thing that brings us closer. Another is the good ol’ plantain. INGREDIENTS Plantain Cooking oil Diced onion Cayenne pepper  1 tbsp Lemon juice ½ tbsp nutmeg 1 tsp chopped ginger 2 garlic cloves Seasoning cubes Salt METHOD Peel off…

Our never-ending squabble about who cooks the best jollof rice between Nigeria and Ghana is one thing that brings us closer. Another is the good ol’ plantain.

INGREDIENTS

• Plantain
• Cooking oil
• Diced onion
• Cayenne pepper 
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• ½ tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp chopped ginger
• 2 garlic cloves
• Seasoning cubes
• Salt

METHOD

1. Peel off the back of the plantain and cut it into diagonal pieces. Set aside.
2. Put onion, ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, lemon juice and water into a blender and blend until smooth then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, put the diced plantain and add the blended mixture and stir. Cover and leave for 15 minutes for the plantain to absorb the flavour.
4. Heat oil on medium-high heat then put the plantain in batches and fry until golden brown.
5. Remove and place on paper towels to dry.

Serve.

NOTE: Do not overcrowd the pan because it will cause the plantain to absorb excess oil and become soggy.

POTATO PILLOWS

Potatoes are vegetables that gives several health benefits: contains a significant amount of fibre, helps reduce cholesterol, maintain blood pressure, promote weight gain, and reduce inflammation in the intestine, among others.

INGREDIENTS

• Potatoes
• Flour
• Corn starch
• Cooking oil
• Ground black pepper
• Salt

METHOD

1. Peel the potatoes and wash. Place into a pot of water and boil until potatoes are tender, then drain.
2. Cut the potatoes into small pieces and press through a masher and put into a bowl. Add the flour, corn starch, pepper and salt and mix thoroughly. Add water to press with your hands to form a dough. Shape the dough into a roll and cut in 1 ½ sections.
3. Heat oil on medium heat. Press with a fork, deep the dough into the hot oil and deep fry until golden brown.
4. Remove and place into a serving bowl. Enjoy with a small bowl of ketchup.