Meat, Africa and overseas
Akabenz with plantains and salad
Akabenz is a Rwandan dish of pork marinated in lemon and garlic, then grilled, served with fried plantains and a tomato salad. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes for 4 people, it's easy to make, and it costs around €3.20 per person. The key is letting the pork marinate long enough to turn tender and flavorful before grilling it over high heat.
Tonight, Rwanda treats you to akabenz, marinated grilled pork, served with fried plantains and a fresh salad.
- Total time
- 1 h 15
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €3.20
- Calories per person
- 570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Summer, Spring, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
Akabenz is pork with character. The lemon and garlic marinade works its way into the meat while it rests in the fridge, then high heat cooking forms a grilled crust while the inside stays juicy. The contrast with sweet plantains and a fresh salad makes for a complete dish, both punchy and comforting.
This is a dish for an evening when you have a bit of time to let the marinade do its work, or a weekend when you want to feed guests without complicating your time in the kitchen. Kids generally love the grilled pork and the soft sweetness of the plantains, and it's a good way to introduce them to a different cuisine without anything too spicy.
The ingredients
Butcher
- Pork tenderloin 800 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Plantains 4
- Garlic 4 cloves
- Lemon 2
- Onion 1
- Tomatoes 3
- Lettuce 1
Pantry
- Oiloften in the pantry 8 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Allergens Lactose
The step by step recipe
-
Cut the pork tenderloin into thick slices and mix them with crushed garlic, lemon juice, grated onion, 2 tablespoons of oil, salt and pepper. 1 h
Grated onion releases its juice and helps tenderize the meat.
-
Cook the pork slices on a grill or in a very hot pan. 15 min
Set the meat down and leave it alone, the grill marks will form on their own.
-
Peel the ripe plantains and cut them into diagonal slices.
Choose plantains that are bright yellow with black spots, they're sweeter.
-
Brown them in the remaining hot oil, 3 minutes per side, then drain them on paper towels. 10 min
Don't crowd the pan, the plantains need to fry rather than steam.
-
Prepare the salad with the lettuce and tomatoes, and serve everything together.
A squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt is all the salad needs.
Our tips to get it right
- Cut the pork into evenly thick slices so they all cook at the same rate on the grill.
- Salt the meat right before cooking rather than in the marinade, since salt tends to draw out moisture too early.
- Make sure the pan or grill is very hot before adding the pork, that's what gives it good color without drying out the meat.
The variations
- Swap the pork tenderloin for pork ribs or chicken if you prefer a more budget friendly or different meat.
- For a vegetarian version, marinate slices of eggplant or firm tofu the same way and grill them a few minutes on each side.
- To save time with hungry kids, cook the plantains in a separate pan at the same time as the meat instead of one after the other.
What to serve it with
- Plain white rice
- Crushed chili or hot sauce
- Fresh fruit juice
Storage
Keep the grilled pork and plantains in a sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat the meat in a pan to bring back some crispness, and make the fresh salad right before serving rather than storing it.
Questions about this dish
Can you marinate the pork ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the meat the day before and keep it in the fridge, it will be even more tender and flavorful. Take it out a bit before cooking so it's not too cold when it hits the grill.
How do you know when plantains are ripe enough?
Look for plantains that are bright yellow and covered in black spots, they're sweeter and softer once cooked. Green plantains will stay firm and less flavorful when fried.
Can you cook the pork in the oven instead of a pan or grill?
Yes, you can finish it for a few minutes under the oven broiler for a similar result, watching the color closely. The grilled flavor will be slightly less pronounced than with a very hot pan.
Can you use a different cut of pork instead of tenderloin?
Yes, pork chops or ribs work well with this marinade. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the cuts you choose.
How long does it take to make an akabenz with fried plantains and salad?
Count 1 h 15 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in an akabenz with fried plantains and salad?
About 570 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does an akabenz with fried plantains and salad cost?
About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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