A couple of years ago I had my first taste of plantains at a local Mexican restaurant that served plantains with black beans and sour cream. It was love at first bite and I was hooked! Since then I have made a healthy version of baked plantains at home. When I saw this menu on Healthy Girls Kitchen for Caribbean Rice, Black Beans and Baked Plantains I immediately bookmarked it to make. The entire meal is pretty easy to assemble and I have already made it twice!
The first time I made the dinner we had daughter Katy and her husband Esau over to share the meal. The white dipping sauce for the plantains is non dairy yogurt with unsweetened shredded coconut mixed in. Simply scrumptious! Although everything was tasty the plantains were a little drier than I would have liked. Esau shared with me that when his sister makes baked plantains she only cuts them the long way and bakes them in two halves which keeps them more moist. I took his advice and tried it.
The Plantains with Coconut Dipping Sauce were so moist and soft inside yet caramelized on the outside. Perfection! I will always fix my plantains this way from now on. The Caribbean Rice is a simple mixture of mango, cilantro, bell peppers, brown rice, lime juice and green onions. Cuban Black Beans With Kale are seasoned with a medley of spices and made even more healthy with the addition of kale. No need to tell anyone this is a healthy meal – they’ll love it because its so beautiful and delicious!
Enough talk – lets get to the recipes! Use the highlighted links below to see the recipes and print them.
Cuban Black Beans with Kale Recipe
Plantains with Coconut Dipping Sauce
Nutmeg Notes
Happy August!
Remember when you were a kid and summer seemed to go on forever?
I grew up in a small town in Nebraska. Before being old enough to get a real job my summer days were filled with bike riding, hanging out down by the creek – swinging across it on a home made tree swing – sometimes people fell in! I babysat my younger brothers (a set of twins) while mom worked. When they got old enough to be on their own I baby sat for other working parents in town for a mere 50 cents an hour! I would cook, clean and watch their kids. What a bargain they got.
All of the kids in town would hang out at the little town park – taking turns spinning the merry – go- round or waiting a turn for a swing.
Now I wonder how on hearth I walked barefoot on the gravel roads to get to my friend Judy’s house where we would take turns on her tree swing or lay across her bed chatting for hours on end.
We would ride our bikes around town and everyone who drove by would wave at you even if they didn’t know you, but most likely they did. When we got thirsty we took turns getting drinks out of the garden hose.
When it was too hot to be outside we would set up a board game in our basement, sometimes our Monopoly games might last a couple of days! We also had a ping pong table in the basement which was good entertainment.
When we got too noisy (with 4 kids in my family plus our friends we did get noisy) mom would chase us outside to run off our excess energy and give her a little break.
Those were the days!
Seriously – where has this summer gone?
Tami
Thanks for being here. Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. I love hearing from you.
What are some of your favorite childhood summer memories?
Have you tried plantains?
Jody - Fit at 55
YES I do remember those days!!! I walked barefoot everywhere, kick the can, running around day & night & just another time… wow, you just brought back memories! ๐
I lived back east in smaller towns so it was so different – just playing outdoors & being able to make forts & skate on a real like, & things like that.. ๐
Tami
Those were the days Jody – carefree and fun! ๐
Pam - Housewives of Frederick County
I have loved plantain since I was a kid. One of my best friend’s mom was from Guyana and made it all the time. Brings back great memories. Thank you for this healthier version!
Tami
You are welcome Pam. I hope you try the recipe and come back to let me know how it turns out for you. ๐
Veronica
What a beautiful meal! Now I’m craving everything on the plate, esp the plantains and black beans. I only made them once into a very strange African dish that starts with an M that I jacked up but that my little sister loved. I’ve never had them straight but want to now!
Tami
Time to try it again Veronica! ๐
Biz
We must be close in age because I also got .50 cents an hour babysitting – so crazy!
And by the end of the summer my feet would be like leather because I went barefoot everywhere. ๐
Happy Weekend!
Tami
Great memories Biz! ๐
Renee@Mykitchenadventures
Of course, summer is my favorite season. I remember doing a lot of daydreaming under the warmth of the sun. Daydreaming about what my future would be like. Do kids take the time to daydream anymore? Sometimes I wonder if they are so filled during the day with technology, they don’t stop and enjoy the moment.
Tami
Oh yes Renee I used to day dream a lot too! I think you are so right that kids these days are so pre-occupied with technology that little time is left just to day dream.
janet @ the taste space
Oh, I am always up for new ways with beans. Thank you for sharing a lovely recipe… I mean 3. ๐
Tami
Hi Janet! You are so welcome for the recipes. If you give them a try please come back and give me your thoughts! Happy Cooking. ๐
wendy (healthy girl's kitchen)
I’m just seeing this now. I’m honored! Thank you!
Tami
Thank you for all your wonderful recipe Wendy! Your blog is my blog away from blog! Ha ha!