Doukounou with Spiced Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 ripe plantains 4 ripe plantains
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• For the spiced peanut sauce: For the spiced peanut sauce:
• 1 cup roasted peanuts 1 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup vegetable broth 1 cup vegetable broth
• Salt to taste Salt to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 18g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Peel the plantains and cut them into chunks. Place them in a large bowl.
2. 2.
   Mash the plantains using a fork or a potato masher until smooth.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, ground ginger, ground coriander, ground paprika, and salt to the mashed plantains. Mix well to combine.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat.
5. 5.
   Take a small portion of the plantain mixture and shape it into a small fritter using your hands. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
6. 6.
   Carefully place the fritters into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
7. 7.
   To prepare the spiced peanut sauce, place the roasted peanuts, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, and chili powder in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
8. 8.
   Transfer the peanut mixture to a saucepan and add vegetable broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt to taste.
9. 9.
   Serve the Doukounou fritters with the spiced peanut sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Plantains — Choose ripe plantains with yellow skin and some black spots. They should be firm but not overly ripe for the best texture in the fritters.
• Roasted peanuts — If you can't find roasted peanuts, you can roast raw peanuts in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until they turn golden brown. Let them cool before using in the sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg to the plantain mixture.
• Serve the Doukounou fritters with a side of fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add a chopped chili pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the peanut sauce.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the fritters to ensure they turn out crispy.
• Leftover fritters can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to regain their crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Doukounou fritters hot with the spiced peanut sauce on the side. Garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped peanuts for added visual appeal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Doukounou fritters on a platter and drizzle the spiced peanut sauce over them. Sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, on top for a pop of color.