PLANTAIN PORRIDGE

                               How to prepare porridge plantain 

Plantain porridge is a Nigerian vegetable stew made with the starchy cousin of common bananas. Plantains are simmered until tender in a flavorful broth along with assorted vegetables and sometimes fish, beans or meat.

There is no one recipe for this nutritious dish. Versions of plantain porridge vary widely from region to region and household to household. Adjust ingredient amounts according to your taste.

4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• Green plantains, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds -- 6
• Onion, chopped -- 1
• Ground dried crawfish or dried shrimp -- 1/3 cup
• Red palm oil or vegetable oil -- 3 tablespoons
• Broth or water -- 1 quart
• Spinach, ugu (pumpkin) leaf, spinach or other greens, chopped -- 1 pound
• Salt and pepper -- to taste

METHOD

1. Put the plantains, onion, dried crawfish or shrimp, broth or water and oil into a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high flame. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the plantains are nice and soft.
2. Mash the plantain a little with a potato masher to lightly thicken the stew. Stir in the spinach, ugu leaf or other greens and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes to cook the greens through.
3. Adjust seasoning and serve.