Ingredients

• Ripe plantain (unripe for plantain chips)

Method

(1) Standard deep fried plantain – the OG

You need: 1 ripe plantain (yellow-black), 1/2 tsp of salt (optional), 1/4 cup of vegetable oil for deep frying

To make:

• Peel and slice your plantain into your desired shape (diagonally sliced is a common go to)
• Add 1/2 tsp of salt (optional)
• Add 1/4  cup of vegetable oil to a pan, allow ~2 minutes to heat up at a medium-high temperature
• Add the plantain to the oil for ~10 minutes (do not overcrowd the wok – you may have to cook in batches depending on the size of your pan/the amount you are cooking); flip half way through the time
• When removed, allow oil to blot off on some kitchen towel

(2) Spicy fried plantain - known in Ghana as Kelewele

You need: 1 ripe plantain (yellow-black), 1/4 medium red onion, 1/2 inch ginger, 1 tsp hot chilli powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp cloves and (optional) 1/2 tsp selim

To make:

• In a blender/food processer, blend together 1/4 of a medium red onion, 1/2 inch of ginger, 1 tsp of hot chilli powder, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground cloves and 2 tbps of water. Grind it further afterwards if there are lumps
• Peel your plantain and chop it into small blocks/cubes
• Marinate your plantain with the blended mix. You could leave this to sit for a few hours if you want the seasoning to truly seep into the plantain. However, if you’re short on time, you can move ahead with the recipe
• Add 1/4 cups of vegetable oil and heat for ~1-2 minutes on a medium heat, then add in your plantain – mix occasionally. For this serving size it will take c10-15 minutes
• You want to fry the plantain until the sugar in it caramelizes, which will produce brown edges of the plantain. When you take the plantain out, allow it 5 minutes to sit and cool down on a plate with some tissue paper that will blot the excess oil
• This snack is typically served with roasted peanuts or groundnuts

(3) Air fryer plantain – a healthier take on the typically deep fried bite

You need: 1 ripe plantain (yellow-black), 1/2 tsp of salt (optional), 1 tsp of olive oil

To make:

• Peel and slice your plantain into your desired shape
• Add 1/2 tea spoon of salt and 1/2 tea spoon of olive oil (salt is optional)
• Add this to your air fryer and cook for ~15-20 minutes on temp of 180 °c; flip after 10 minutes

(4) Baked plantain chips – make your own version of this tasty supermarket snack

You need: 1 unripe plantain (green), 1/2 tsp of salt (optional), 1 tsp of olive oil

To make:

• Peel your plantain and slice thinly
  • Peeling plantain can be a bit more difficult when unripe – helps to run it under water
• Add 1/2 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of olive oil (salt is optional)
• Preheat your oven a 200°c for c2 minutes
• Spread your sliced plantain onto a tray - 1 layer; bake in oven for around 20 minutes on 220°c – flip after 10 minutes
• This tastes best when served and eaten almost immediately

EAT THIS WITH...

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