Spinach And Plantain Rounds Food

GHANAIAN SPINACH STEW WITH SWEET PLANTAINS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, warm the palm oil over medium heat, and add the onions, garlic, ginger, chile and a couple pinches of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown and sweet, about 15 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and a few generous pinches of salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and partly cover the pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has cooked to a rich tomato-soup consistency, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the egusi or pumpkin seeds in a food processor or blender to a fine powder, until it just starts to get clumpy. (Do not overprocess into a butter.) Remove to a bowl.
• When the tomatoes have reduced, add the shrimp powder (or smoked paprika and fish sauce to taste), and simmer 2 minutes. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, to the bowl of egusi powder until it is a loose paste. Add the egusi paste on top of the tomato sauce, and spread it out. Cover the pan, and cook 5 minutes.
• Stir the sauce all together; it will look like a thick porridge. Add a few splashes of water, and increase heat to a boil. Stir in the spinach, until wilted and tender. Taste, season with salt (or more fish sauce, if using) and serve with boiled sweet plantains.

SPINACH AND PLANTAIN ROUNDS

Steps:

• Use a sharp knife to slice each plantain, lengthwise, into 4 long pieces.
• Fry the plantains in a little oil, over medium-high heat, until golden, but not cooked through; remove and drain on paper towels (reserve oil in pan).
• In a separate skillet, cook onions and garlic in butter, until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add spinach, season with nutmeg, salt and pepper, co er and cook until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Let cool to touch and strain out any liquid.
• Form the plantains into rings and secure with half a toothpick.
• Pack each ring with spinach.
• Heat the reserved oil over medium heat.
• Dip the plantain rings in egg, then in the flour.
• Fry until golden, turning once, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Drain on paper toweling and serve hot or cold.