HOW TO PREPARE NIGERIAN PLANTAIN PORRIDGE

If you are a lover of plantain, then you should try out this recipe. You already know that plantain is naturally sweet, but in plantain porridge, we do not use ripped or over-ripped plantain, semi-ripped plantain is preferred. However, this still depends on your choice. it is not important you get the process right. Don’t worry I will teach you how to prepare plantain porridge right here.

Plaintain porridge is a simple mush meal that is enjoyed in the majority of homes in Africa, especially, in Nigeria. It’s a special delicacy prepared with ripe or unripe plantains, Vegetables, and Dry fish.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium-sized semi riped Plantains( you can choose to use Ripe or unripe plantains as well).

• Smoked fish or fresh fish(preferably mackerel ”titus fish”
• A bunch of Ugwu (pumpkin) leaves (Spinach can be used instead)
• Onion bulb (1 or 2)
• Ground Crayfish
• A quarter of tin milk of Palm oil 
• Seasoning cubes
• Salt to taste
• Chilli or Scotch bonnet (atarodo) Pepper to taste

MAKING YOUR NIGERIAN PLANTAIN PORRIDGE

• Wash and slice the onions, grind the pepper as well
• Cut the plantains into small chunk sizes, Wash the vegetables thoroughly and cut them.
• If you opted for dry fish, Wash with hot water, open the inside, and clean it out. For Mackerel simply wash thoroughly with lukewarm water, and remove the guts
• Put the plantain in a pot and place it on the fire, add just enough water to cover the plantain, and put in the chopped onions, fish, crayfish, pepper, and seasoning cube Cover the pot and leave it to cook.
• After 10 minutes, add the Palm oil and salt. Allow cooking for another 15 minutes.
• Then add your vegetables, this should always come last to avoid being overcooked. Leave for 3 minutes
• Food is served.

Plantain porridge is a nice food choice for lunch or dinner. In a country as rich in diversity of culture as Nigeria there are a number of dishes you can try out as well and they include MoiMoi, Akara, peppered chicken, Fish stew and Gizdodo.