Plantain Porridge

I am a huge fan of breakfast, especially when it is cooked. Cynthia's post on steamed plantains reminded me of the first time I had plantains for breakfast that were not fried or steamed. I was a social work student in Jamaica in 1998 and one of my classmates, Terretta, prepared an absolutely unforgettable plantain porridge. Unfortunately, Terretta died in a traffic accident a couple years after we graduated. I have fond memories of her, but especially when I make plantain porridge. You can take a look at the recipe here. I substitute corn flour for flour and add coconut milk instead of half and half. You can spice and sweeten it to your own tastes, or add raisins like I do. I hope you give it a try, or if you already make it let me know what you do differently. Here's to great breakfast.

I'm trying... with breakfast

Those of you who have been reading me for a while, know all too well that I am really not into breakfast. Since last summer I have been making a huge effort to eat breakfast and to do so regularly. To that end, I have been having oatbran and would interchange with cornmeal porridge but it gets soooooo boring after a while. Anyway, I will keep plodding on.

Earlier in the week I woke up hungry and eyed the 2 ripened plantains. I contemplated pan-frying them, they are sugary good when they are very ripe, but, I restrained myself and decided to boil them instead and have them with a pat of herb butter. Hey, it was the butter or frying!

To wash it all down, I made some bay leaf tea.

Ingredients

2 very ripe plantains (skin should be black in many places)
A pat of butter (optional)
Water

Directions

1. Cut off the top and bottom of each plantain leaving the skin intact
2. Place the plantains into a pot and fill with water until it comes half-way up the plantains. Cover the pot, place on high heat and bring to a boil
3. Let boil until the skin on the plantains burst. Drain
4. When cool enough to handle, remove skin, slice diagonally and pat with butter and chow down!

For the Bay Leaf Tea

4 - 5 fresh or dry bay leaves
1 + 1/2 cups water

1. Add the water and bay leaves to a pot, cover and bring to a boil. Let boil for 3 minutes
2. Leave the pot covered and let tea steep for another 3 minutes or longer if you want your tea stronger
3. Sweeten to taste with sugar and a splash of milk (sweetening is optional)