Yétissé with Spiced Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 ripe plantains 3 ripe plantains
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• For the spiced peanut sauce: For the spiced peanut sauce:
• 1 cup ground peanuts 1 cup ground peanuts
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water 1 cup water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 18g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Peel the plantains and cut them into chunks. Place them in a bowl and mash them with a fork until smooth.
2. 2.
   Add the garlic powder, ginger powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to the mashed plantains. Mix well to combine.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Take a spoonful of the plantain batter and carefully drop it into the hot oil. Repeat until the pan is filled but not overcrowded.
5. 5.
   Fry the plantain fritters for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. 6.
   To make the spiced peanut sauce, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
7. 7.
   Add the ground peanuts, tomato paste, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and water to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
8. 8.
   Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
9. 9.
   Serve the Yétissé fritters with the spiced peanut sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Plantains — Choose ripe plantains that are yellow with some black spots. They should be firm but not overly soft for the best texture in the fritters.
• Ground peanuts — If you can't find ground peanuts, you can grind roasted peanuts in a food processor until they reach a fine consistency.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the plantain batter.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the spiced peanut sauce.
• Serve the Yétissé fritters immediately after frying to maintain their crispiness.
• The spiced peanut sauce can be made in advance and refrigerated. Just reheat it gently before serving.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces or condiments to accompany the Yétissé fritters, such as a tangy tamarind chutney or a refreshing cucumber yogurt dip.

Serving advice

Serve the Yétissé fritters hot, alongside a bowl of the spiced peanut sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Yétissé fritters on a platter, placing a small bowl of the spiced peanut sauce in the center. Sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top of the sauce for added texture. Serve with a side of fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.