BN Cuisine with Chef Fregz: The Green Plantain Pottage

In the last few months one thing has been on my mind: to eat better. I’m not totally succeeding at it, thanks to my friends that bake cakes and the thriving production of Ribera. However, I have been trying. I have also been craving green plantains in general. I love the almost flavourless flavour it has. The dry almost gritty texture it has when it’s not piping hot anymore and how it’s a perfect vehicle mopping up other flavours.

This pottage also features a Guinea Fowl stew (or sauce as you may call it). I know I wanted this fried palm oil stew-like sauce to go with the meal. I added some peppersoup spice to the plantain mix. That earthy,almost-smoky taste it has, brings a new level of flavour… just  by adding crayfish and dried fish to the dish.

Ugu leaves are my new obsession. I just love its tough, bitter taste; yet you can take the nutrition it is giving you. It also adds serious flavour depth to your food  – especially when you use it fresh.

Periwinkles and some snail went into this because I remembered my Bayelsa people and Kekefiye; but I had to spin it by doing some chicken with it and that south-south pepper soup /Banga flavour.

Please note that you do not have to use Guinea fowl here. I would just say use any “locally” smoked meat you can find. Or simply ask them in the market to smoke some turkey for you, or talk to your Suya or asun guy down the road. There’s nothing one thousand Naira cannot solve.

I have emphasised locally smoked so that you don’t rush down to buy some regular smoked chicken. That’s not completely the flavour of smoke I’m looking for. In the event you don’t have anything but it please by all means use it.

Here’s what you need: {This recipe serves 4}

3 large unripe plantains
1 1/2 to 2 litres of water
2 tablespoons finely ground crayfish
6 medium or 3 large snails cleaned and build till soft
1 cup dried fish like Sawa or Smoked Catfish (Eja Kika) shredded into sizeable bits
1 cup periwinkles shelled (leave some cleened unshelled ones for garnish, if you like. I personally hate that sucking sound)
1/2 teaspoon peppersoup spice or 3/4 teaspoon pepper soup spice for a stronger pepper soup flavour
Seasoning cubes to taste … I recommend 2 sets
Salt and Black pepper to taste
1 cup Ugu leaves shredded in large bits (use more if you like)

Guinea Fowl Sauce
1 whole Smoked Guinea Fowl cut into 8-10 pieces
1 teaspoon tomato puree/paste
4 ata rodo a.k.a Scotch Bonnet peppers roughly chopped
6-10 Long Chillies a.k.a Shombo Peppers
3 Small Red Capsicums a.k.a Tatashe Peppers
1/2 tablespoon pureed garlic
1 large onion sliced or roughly chopped
1/2 cup palm oil
1 seasoning cube
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 tablespoon garlic
1 tablespoon ginger

How To
Place your water in a wide pan or pot to boil.

Then proceed to peel and cut the plantain into cubes. Do so by cutting in half length ways and cut into small semi circles…or cubes.

Add the crayfish, dried fish, seasoning cube, pepper soup spice and plantain. Leave to cook for about 25 minutes or till the plantains start to soften.

Use the back of your cooking spoon to mash the plantains slightly as you go to create the porridge effect. Add the snails at this point and the periwinkles as well. If it needs more water just top up slightly.

Check for seasoning.

While the plantain is bubbling away, get to work on your guinea fowl sauce. Pour the plan oil in to a hot pan. Add the onions and garlic and stir fry for 30 seconds.

Add the guinea fowl, the chillies, tatashe and tomato paste. Add a splash of water and put on a low heat to bubble away slightly so the flavours can permeate the smoked guinea fowl. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, topping with water just in case the dish starts to dry up.

To serve, place the plantain pottage and top with the guinea fowl.

Many thanks to @chefnylah for help out on the day and God for giving me light to shoot these images.

Enjoy this simple treat, guys!