Mussaca de Banana
A unique savory dish combining ripe plantains (bananas) with ground meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices, baked until tender and flavorful. It offers a sweet and savory contrast, showcasing the use of plantains in main courses.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 large Ripe plantains (bananas)(peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch rounds)
- 500 g Ground beef
- 1 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 cup Beef broth
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)
- 0.25 cup Optional: Raisins
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. If using raisins, stir them in now. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 6
Arrange a layer of sliced plantains in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the plantains.
- 7
Add another layer of plantains, followed by the remaining meat mixture. Top with a final layer of plantains.
- 8
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- 9
Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top layer of plantains is tender and lightly golden.
- 10
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use ripe but firm plantains for the best texture. Overripe plantains can become too mushy.
- ✓Adjust the spices to your liking. Some variations may include a pinch of chili for a slight kick.
- ✓This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated.
🔄 Variations
- Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the ground beef.
- Add a layer of thinly sliced potatoes or sweet potatoes between the plantain and meat layers.