Nigerian Plantain Pottage with Hard Shelled Shrimps

Nigerian Plantain Pottage

I am making Nigerian Plantain Pottage because its simple and cooks fast. A cousin came over the other day and as is traditional in the African culture you want to offer your guest some drinks and food or at least some small chops. I had no prepared food in the fridge neither did I have any snacks. Time was of essence so I settled for plantain pottage. But it had to cook within thirty minutes as Cousin Affiong had to catch a flight to Uyo.

What to do? Peel plantains wash and cut into small chunks , place them in a zip lock bag , hit with a small pestle to smash into much smaller pieces and 15 minutes later, lunch was ready and we were on our way to the airport. The fast cooking time of this one pot delight, Nigerian Plantain Pottage with hard shelled Shrimps is what I am bring to you.  I found very good use for my shrimp heads something I used to throw away. I boiled the heads with some water, strained out the stock and used for the pottage. It was so good, full of shrimp flavour and provided the necessary savings from my crayfish powder. Surely there are lots of ways to reduce food wastage .Enjoy my offering.

 

Recipe for Nigerian Plantain Pottage 

Ingredients

3 half ripe or unripe Plantain

8-10 pieces dressed Shrimps

1 cup shrimp stock

1/4 medium size chopped Onion

1 cup Water

Dry pepper to taste

1 teaspoon ground crayfish

4-6 leaf chopped Ntong/Effinrin/Nchawun

Crayfish seasoning to taste

1 cooking spoon Palm oil

Salt to taste

 

Method

1. Dress the shrimps and set aside. Boil the head of the shrimp and strain the stock for use in the dish.
2. Peel, wash and cut plantains into small chunks. Place in a zip lock bag and smash into small pieces.
3. Bring the water and shrimp stock to the boil, add the shrimps, crayfish, pepper, onion and cook for about 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the smashed plantains and cook for about 15 minutes. The water for cooking the plantain should cover the top of the plantain.
5. Add the palm oil and cook for 3-5 minutes. Taste and correct seasoning.
6. Lastly, add Ntong and stir.
7. Turn off the heat and serve hot.