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Fish, Africa and overseas

Mashed plantains with dried shrimp

Mashed plantains with dried shrimp is a Cameroonian dish for 4 people, ready in 50 minutes, rated easy, at about €3.40 per person. Boiled plantains are mashed and mixed into a spiced tomato sauce with spinach and two kinds of shrimp. The key to success is balancing the softness of the plantains with the briny punch of the dried shrimp.

Tonight, a Cameroonian family dish, plantains simmered then mashed into their tomato sauce, with spinach and dried shrimp.

Mashed plantains with dried shrimp
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.40
Calories per person
570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Mashed plantains with dried shrimp bring together the sweet softness of plantain and the salty intensity of dried shrimp. The spiced tomato sauce and spinach add depth, while fresh shrimp stirred in at the end stay tender and juicy. The result is a rustic dish, deliberately mashed, where chunks of plantain still show through the sauce.

This is a family dish you can make on a weeknight or a Sunday, just as good for kids as for guests curious about Cameroonian cooking. The chili is easy to adjust to taste, so everyone at the table can enjoy it without worrying about too much heat.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green or ripe plantains 5
  • Fresh spinach 400 g
  • Tomatoes 3
  • Onion 1
  • Fresh chili 1

Pantry

  • Dried shrimp 50 g
  • Peanut oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fish counter

  • Peeled shrimp 250 g

Allergens Shellfish

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the plantains, cut them into chunks, and boil them in salted water. 20 min

    Save a bit of the cooking water for later.

  2. Blend the tomatoes, onion, and chili, then cook in the oil until thickened. 12 min

    When the oil rises to the surface, your base is ready.

  3. Add the chopped dried shrimp, then the spinach, and let it wilt down. 8 min

    Crush the dried shrimp in a mortar to release more flavor.

  4. Mash the plantains with a fork and mix them into the sauce with a little cooking water. 5 min

    Leave some chunks, the dish should look rustic.

  5. Add the fresh shrimp, cook for three minutes, and serve right away. 4 min

    Take them off the heat as soon as they turn pink, or they'll turn rubbery.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick ripe plantains for a sweeter, softer mash, or green plantains for a firmer, more neutral result.
  • Finely chop the dried shrimp before adding them to the sauce, they release their sea flavor more evenly throughout the dish.
  • Blend the chili separately and stir it in gradually, so you can control exactly how spicy the dish turns out.

The variations

  • Swap the fresh spinach for cassava leaves or shredded collard greens, two vegetables traditionally used in this kind of dish.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip both the fresh and dried shrimp, and add a spoonful of peanut paste to keep the sauce rich and flavorful.
  • For kids, remove the chili before blending the sauce and serve it on the side, so everyone can season to taste.

What to serve it with

  • Extra fresh chili on the side
  • A simple raw tomato salad
  • A chilled hibiscus or ginger drink

Storage

Store the mashed plantains in the fridge in a sealed container for 2 to 3 days. The dish freezes well, ideally without the fresh shrimp for a better texture once thawed. Reheat gently with a splash of water to bring back a soft consistency.

Questions about this dish

Can I replace the dried shrimp with something else?

Yes, flaked smoked fish works well and brings a similar smoky depth. The flavor will be a bit different but still satisfying.

Do I need to soak the dried shrimp before using them?

It helps, soak them in hot water for ten minutes to soften them. This lets them release more flavor into the sauce.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can cook the tomato sauce and boil the plantains a day ahead. Add the fresh shrimp only when reheating to serve.

Which type of plantain should I use?

Green plantains give a firmer texture, ripe ones a sweeter, softer result. Both work well, it really comes down to preference.

How long does it take to make mashed plantains with dried shrimp?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in mashed plantains with dried shrimp?

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 mashed plantains with dried shrimp cost?

About €3.40 per serving, or €13.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains shellfish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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