Dodo Ati Efo (Fried Plantains & Stewed Spinach)
This is a popular dish of the Yoruba, one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. In the Yoruba language, dodo means fried plantains, and efo means leafy green vegetables, commonly spinach—here, the sweet plantains are a foil to the spicy spinach stew. Essential to Nigerian cuisine, unrefined red palm oil gets its color from naturally occurring beta carotene. For a vegetarian version, substitute 1 pound sliced mushrooms for the beef and use vegetable bouillon cubes. In Step 3, simmer the mushrooms in the sauce for 5 minutes.
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Recipe Summary
Nutrition Profile:
Ingredients
Directions
Equipment
Deep-fry or candy thermometer
Tips
Extracted from the oil palm tree, unrefined red palm oil gets its deep hue from healthful antioxidant pigments called carotenoids, which are important for eye health. Its high smoke point makes it a good choice for frying.
Harvested from the pods of African locust bean trees then fermented, iru gives deep umami flavor to soups, stews and more.
Cameroon pepper is made by grinding fiery dried Scotch bonnet chiles.
Find plantains at large supermarkets or Latin markets. A ripe plantain has black-yellow skin. To peel, slice off both ends and cut into 3-inch lengths. Using the tip of a paring knife, cut 4 lengthwise slits along each piece. Soak in ice water for 3 to 5 minutes to loosen the skin. Remove from the water and peel.