Something was off in my brain today. Blame the rain or the hormones – it’s usually one or the other! I was in a funk where I couldn’t focus and snacked all afternoon.
First on this incredible bowl of pumpkin mixed with plain yogurt and topped with Peanut Butter Hungry bar – then on some bread and a few pieces of chocolate!
It almost spoiled my dinner, but when I started cooking my appetite returned!
I made Coconut Millet with Caribbean Black Beans and Cinnamon-Spiced Plantains!
I found these plantains on sale for $.54! Not sure who was more excited about this: me or the fruit flies that won’t leave my kitchen!!!
I’m sure some people would have thought they were rotten but I know that black = sugary sweet banananess!
I got some millet cooking in 1 cup water and 1 cup coconut milk, plus salt and simmered for about 40 minutes
And in pot #2 I put a lightly drained can of black beans along with green peppers and celery plus a dumping each of chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and smoked paprika. Simmered for 20 minutes or so.
And then Matt came home and we tackled the plantains. He wanted to do a traditional brown-n-mash style.
We put them in the pan with a bunch of olive oil plus a sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar…medium high heat
Flippage when they started to brown on the bottom
When they had softened and browned, we moved them to a plate
And smashed with a wooden spoon
Back in the pan they went for a shorter round 2!
Served atop the millet and beans, with a side of arugula, YUM! Might as well have been dessert!
More please!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
LOVE PLANTAINS!!! i used to eat them like mad when i lived in NYC up in washington heights!
Abel James says
Those plantains look amazing! Nice catch on getting them for .54 c – they were the perfect ripeness for cooking up.
Lori Lynn says
Wow. I’ve never heard of them. I think that I’ve seen them in the store. You make them look really good!
Janelle says
We all have those days ! I LOVE PLANTAINS!
Health Bee says
Wow, the plantain looks delicious!
Dani Delicatessen says
This looks amazing! I’ve wanted to get plantains for so long now but wasn’t quite sure what to do with them- i will definitely be tackling this next week : )
[email protected] says
What a great find! This dinner is so creative! I love the combo of sweet and savory. I felt scattered all afternoon too – I’m definitely blaming it on the rain. 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Great dish! I always pause for a moment at the plantains and move one. Next time I’m picking up a couple and trying this out – I love caramelized bananas and add cinnamon and spice to nearly everything – perfect dish for me. 🙂
Christie says
Yum! I’ve never tried plantains before, but they look seriously delish!! Mmm love cooking grains in coconut milk too, makes for a super creamy flavour!
Maria @ Sinfully Nutritious says
Seems like a island kind of meal with the coconut milk and plantains! Sounds delish! I only ever put coconut milk in my rice and oats, I will definitely try it in millet next time.
My opinion is hormones, they always get me snacking even though I am not much of a snacker normally.
Caitlyn says
I think we all have days were we get the nibbles. I know that if I worked at a Great Harvest I would be fighting the urge to nibble all day long 🙂
I haven’t had fried plantains in such a long time! The next time I pick some up I plan on cooking them “smashed” style.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I love sweet caramelized plantains like that. There are pretty much dessert, so good 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What a creative dinner! I love plantains 🙂
Krystina (Organically Me) says
LOVE plantains!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Coconut Millet with Caribbean Black Beans and Cinnamon-Spiced Plantains = omg wow!
I love plaintains. I have never sliced them that way, only the ‘long’ way, i.e. banana split style. The long surface area makes for even more carmelization. And yes, between their own sugar, the brown sugar/cinnamon i love to add (and coconut oil)..they are the best kept secret out there.
I would have been excited over the .54 cent find, big time!
Chloe (In Fine Feather) says
Your “off” day sounds like my normal day – I’m such a snacker! Also, I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually had plantains before. I’ll have to try them next time I see them on a menu!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
If you ever want to get a bit more adventurous, try a savory plantain dish called “tostones”. Use green plantains and do the same thing you guys did tonight with the ripe ones: fry once, smash, fry again, sprinkle with salt and eat. You’d love them!!
KathEats says
I’ve had those in restaurants – delish!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I’ve never tried plantains before – apparently I need to change that! It seems like you could go either sweet or savory with them. I always love when a food has that versatility. Looks like a delicious dinner!!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I never think to buy plantains. I think my boys would really like them. This has convinced me to get them next time I’m at the store! Looks delicious!
[email protected] healthy helper blog! says
I have NEVER had a plaintain!!! But I reeeeeally want to try one! Everyone raves about them!
Kim @ Spoonful of Sass says
Your creative shopping and dinners never cease to amaze me!
Jennifer says
I’m not a black banana fan but plantains do need to be black. 🙂 I love them. You can also make them more savory with a garlic sauce to dip them in (Tostones) but those are made with green plantains. Either way they are yum!!!
Kat says
This looks incredible. I’m also so glad I’m not the only snacker today – had an apple, a corncake, two pickles…seconds before dinner. Weird.
Emily says
Are the fruit flies bothering you? I have the best fruit fly eliminator!!! A small juice glass of apple cider vinegar with a squirt of dish soap! They get so excited about the vinegar, that they try a taste and the dish soap eliminates your problem!
Try it!
KathEats says
THANK YOU for this suggestion! There are already 3 in the bowl (sadness, but they are driving me nuts)
ling says
we put syran wrap over the bowl of juice and poke holes in it with a toothpick/fork tine…the other way is to rinse your fruits in vinegar water. I think we eat lots of fruitfly eggs…protein? he he.
Emily says
Yeah, I get really sad too, but they are so pesky. I can deal with one or two, but sometimes they get out of control!!!
Amanda says
I LOVE plantains! I’ve only attempted to cook them once, but unfortunately they were a total fail. I think maybe they weren’t ripe and I didn’t cook them in enough oil or for long enough. I’ll have to try smashing them and cooking them a 2nd time. Thanks for the tutorial!
Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife says
Plantains are my favorite food in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. They are natural perfection. I would have picked those up in a second if I saw them in my store–the blacker the better! 😀 My favorite way to have them is sliced thin and fried in a little coconut oil…MMMM. But pretty much they’re awesome any way.
Hope says
I’ve never had plantains before. Do they taste like a regular banana? Either way, your dinner sure does look yummy 🙂
KathEats says
The black ones do – but a bit starchier
Liz says
Glad to see you having a latin dish 🙂 Greetings from Colombia
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Ohh what a fabulous dinner! The plantains look especially delicious!
Tricia says
I LOVE green plantains! You cut them the same way and fry on both sides then take them out and mash them flat. I use the end of a glass but my friend has a special plantain smasher. Then you re-fry them until the are brown and crispy. Place on paper towell and sprinkle with salt and pepper and enjoy them dipped in ketchup. YUMMY!
lindzjane115 says
I’ve never made millet–can you tell me more about it in terms of taste, texture, and cooking instructions? I just made quinoa and saw the complaints about what a mess it makes, and I definitely agree! I’d love to explore another grain…
KathEats says
It’s kind of like grits and is sticky and a bit cornmealy. Cook 1 part grain to 2 parts liquid. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer and cook for 25-40 minutes, depending on the texture you want and when they are soft, they’re ready. You can cook it more like pasta with more water and have them be more separated or with less liquid (more like risotto – adding more if you need it) to make it more creamy.
Mai says
Awesome looking dinner.
Plaintain chips are the best!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Amazing dinner! I have been dying to try plaintains 🙂
emily says
Oh yum, plantains are the best! The bar I worked at back home during college served them as a side with everything and I was in heaven every shift meal.
Cait's Plate says
I want to know more about this Peanut Butter Hungry bar…sounds like my kinda thing!
KathEats says
Hungry bars!! http://www.bluebirdbakes.com/index.html
They are so good. (Coming to OpenSky!)
Cait's Plate says
YAY!!! Can’t wait! Thank you 🙂
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That sounds so exotic yet easy to make. I want to try fried plantains, I have never had them and they look sweet and wonderful!
Angel7 says
Great deal on the plantains! I have never gotten bananas for that cheap.
Great idea for the plantains! I would totally like them atop a salad!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Namaste Gurl says
Super wonderful meal idea– looks fantastic! 🙂 Hehe, sometimes I can’t help but call my meals dessert even though their really good for me 🙂
katie @KatieDid says
Im so curious about plantains… much different than bananas? I was quite snacky today as well and ruined my appetite… but dinner was still delicious nonetheless.
KathEats says
When green they’re more like a potato, when black, more like a banana.
Susan (Oliepants) says
I’m a huge fan of plantains – perfect when cooked and then smashed and then cooked. It sounds especially fantastic with coconut millet.
hEmily @ The Divine Carrot says
I absolutely adore plantains! I’ve never seen them for sale here in Germany, though… bummer. Your recipe looks delicious! Very creative! 🙂
Emmy (WIne and Butter) says
Ha ha – the last time I tried to have plantains was in 5th grade when my BFF and I were meant to cook a puerto rican and subbed bananas for plantains… omg it was prob the most disgusting thing of ALL time and I’ve been totally scarred on the subject ever since! Myabe I need to give them a try again! ALSO I have millet and Ive been wondering how to use it so will defo try the coconut thing. Coconut milk is kind of like feta right – makes everything taste good! AND I recently did a post and investigation into chocolate for anyone else who has been hitting the chocolate mid afternoon – as far as I can tell nothing wrong with including the dark stuff on a regular basis (provided you arent totally overcalorising yourself of course!) 🙂
Tiffany @ texan on the run says
Ohmylord that looks SO GOOD!! Def trying this next week once I get new groceries 😀
Mahealani @ Beauty, Brains, and Balance says
Ooh, I love plantains. I think “best when black” too!
Khushboo says
Those look SO amazing! When I was living in NIgeria, I used to eat SO much plantain chips. They’re pretty caloric/unhealthy but taste oh so amazing. Plantains were one of their staple foods!
Libby D. says
Kath! You are a girl after my own heart! 🙂 My husband is Carribean, and we Loooooeeerrrrve plantains! Love them. His best friend is from Panama, and just fyi 🙂 Cause I love trivial info… Theway that you made the plantains makes them ‘tostones’ (said with a Spanish accent, if you can pull one off, which apparently I can’t 🙂 We serve them up with a garlic-cilantro pesto that is yum-yum-yum 🙂
You are really inspiring! 🙂
KathEats says
🙂
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
no such thing as an overripe banana…. er, plantain! looks delicious, kath. i remember we fried plantains in my high school spanish class one year (don’t ask me why), but they tasted great!!
jo @ including cake says
Mmmm, plantain- my favourite way is simply bbq’d on skewers!! I also made a delish plantain banana cake featured on my new blog a couple of months back, it was so good!
Lindsay says
Yum! Up by the San Jose airport there is a tiny hole-in the wall (aren’t those always the best??) that served amazing jerk chicken and plaintains!! I miss it! We would volunteer to pick up people from the airport just to stop there!! Well, here, : http://rlcraboda.blogspot.com/2011/05/caribbean-sweden-italy.html
If you are ever near San Jose airport or heading down from San Fran, make a detour!!
Jun says
I think your capture amazing pictures, and you’re such an inspiration.
KathEats says
Thanks!
Hillary says
A friend of mine turned me on to plantains this summer—she had me over for dinner and made homemade plantain chips. So simple, and so so GOOD.
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
I adore plaintains!! I like to saute them in coconut oil with a sprinkling of cumin/chili powder, gives them some extra yummy flavor! I really like this meal idea with the coconut millet – millet is my new favorite bulk bin item for sure 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’ve actually never had plantains before but they look so good fried like that!
I love coconut millet though – I think it’s my favourite grain to cook in coconut milk.
Lisa says
Mmm, looks delicious! I’ve heard setting a small bowl of cider vinegar will get rid of fruit flies. I think it attracts them and they will drown themselves in the vinegar :/
[email protected] Flying ONION says
Something is in the air, because I was snacking and nibbling my afternoon away the other day too! Gladly, I’m feeling back to normal today. 😉
I’ve had plantains once and loved them! Not sure why I don’t eat them more often. I love your cooking technique. 😀
Win says
Nice Highland glass! #ncbeer
KathEats says
!! Pisgah is my fav NC brewery
Kelly says
I got so sick once after eating plantains that it took me YEARS to even be able to look at bananas…plantains and I haven’t made up yet.
Fran says
A friend of mine used to cook platains many years ago. I really liked them. I never think of making them myself, though. This looks pretty easy, think I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the idea!
Michaela says
what a great way to cook them!! never heard of that method before. way better than frying in lots and lots and lots of oil…
Betty says
I’m guessing your ‘off day’ might be anxiousness for your buddy to have that baby yesterday, or today…
and the plantains look great – almost makes me want to try them that way.
I hope it is a sunny day for you
Logan says
You said “lightly drained” in reference to the black beans. Were they canned? I can’t stand that thick looking liquid and always rinse mine thoroughly before heating. Is that overkill?
KathEats says
I usually drain that all off too, but leaving some in made them so creamy!
Brittany @ Pretty Fit, Pretty Healthy, Pretty Happy says
I was so excited when I saw the title of your post on my Google Reader! My dad was born in Cuba, so I’ve practically been raised on every variation of plantain. It’s kind of funny going through the checkout aisle at the grocery store with something that looks like a withering giant banana and the cashier wrinkles their nose and says “did you mean to buy a bad one?”
I feel like telling them “YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU’RE MISSING!”
If you’re ever in need of a quick way to cook plantains, they taste delicious just sliced and baked.
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Looks so fantastic! The kind of stuff you throw together…YUM! Try apple cider vinegar in a cup covered with plastic wrap with little holes in it to get rid of the fruit flies…they get in but they can’t get out…works like a charm!
Becca says
I always bake my plantains (when sliced thinly they make plantain CHIPS), but I’m am bookmarking this post to try out this “smoosh”-style!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Plantains are SO yummy! I get them at a little Thai place I frequent for lunch. Never made them myself though…don’t often see plantains in our grocers.
And black beans… my fave is Cuban style. How I miss the dear person that used to make them for me. Along side garlic-lemon yucca root. Mmmm…
Never had millet. Still need to try that one. Bet its as yummy as quinoa.
Heidi - apples under my bed says
wow, that dish looks superb! mmmmm amazing. Thanks for the meal inspiration!
Heidi xo
Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel says
You know what’s funny? I always think of plantains as being one of those foreign foods that you just get at a Spanish restaurant…somehow it never occurred to me how easy they would be to make at home! That mashing technique looks kind of fun, too!
Shaun @ snackasaurusrex.com says
Great idea for the plantains!!