Banane Malaxé with Spiced Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 ripe plantains 4 ripe plantains
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup (120g) smooth peanut butter 1/2 cup (120g) smooth peanut butter
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 18g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Peel the plantains and cut them into chunks.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, bring the water to a boil and add the plantain chunks. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. 3.
   While the plantains are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a separate pan over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until translucent.
5. 5.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes and red bell pepper, cooking until they soften.
6. 6.
   Add the tomato paste, peanut butter, vegetable broth, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Once the plantains are cooked, drain them and transfer them to a large bowl.
9. 9.
   Mash the plantains with a fork or potato masher until smooth and creamy.
10. 10.
    Pour the spiced peanut sauce over the mashed plantains and stir gently to combine.
11. 11.
    Serve the Banane Malaxé hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Plantains — Choose ripe plantains with yellow skin and some black spots. They should be firm but yield slightly to pressure. Overripe plantains may become too sweet and mushy.
• Peanut butter — Opt for smooth peanut butter without added sugar or salt. Natural peanut butter works best for this recipe.
• Tomatoes — Use ripe tomatoes for the sauce to enhance the flavor. If fresh tomatoes are not available, canned diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, add a splash of coconut milk to the mashed plantains.
• Adjust the spiciness of the peanut sauce by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper.
• Serve Banane Malaxé with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
• Leftover Banane Malaxé can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. The flavors may intensify, making it even more delicious.
• Experiment with different garnishes such as chopped peanuts or a squeeze of lime juice for added freshness.

Serving advice

Banane Malaxé is best served hot, allowing the flavors to meld together. Serve it as a main course accompanied by steamed rice or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and added freshness.

Presentation advice

To present Banane Malaxé beautifully, place a generous scoop of the mashed plantains in the center of a plate. Pour the spiced peanut sauce over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro for an elegant touch.