Plantain Porridge

INGREDIENTS:

2 green plantains

1 cups of water

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise (optional)

Dash of salt

½ cup 5-minute oats

1 can (about 2 cups) regular or evaporated coconut milk (+ ¼ cup)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp rose water (optional)

½ tsp ground nutmeg

Sweetener of choice (such as condensed coconut milk)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Place the water in a small-medium-sized pot and set on the stove on medium heat, and bring to a boil with cinnamon stick, star anise, and salt.

2) Wash, peal, and cut up the plantains.

3) Place the plantains into a blender with the oats and 2 cups of coconut milk. Blend until smooth.

4) Once the water comes to a light boil, pour the blended plantain and oats mixture into the water and stir aggressively with a whisk (preferred) or a wooden spoon until well combined.

5) Once smooth, reduce the heat to just above the low setting. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes.

6) After 5 minutes, uncover and stir aggressively to ensure the porridge remains smooth and reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick for you, stir in additional milk of choice (1/4 cup should be enough). Note: If you plan to sweeten your porridge with condensed milk (regular or coconut) you’ll want it to remain a little thick, as the condensed milk will make the consistency a bit thinner. You can always add more regular milk afterwards if you need to.

7) Once the porridge reaches your desired consistency and is smooth, add the nutmeg, vanilla, and rose water. Stir until well combined, then turn off the heat.

8) Add your sweetener of choice. (I use about ¼ can of condensed coconut milk.) Stir until well combined. Adjust the flavor to your taste, if needed.

Serves 2-3.

Serve hot with fried pressed green plantain, warm coco bread, hard dough bread, or water crackers, if desired. Enjoy!