Vegan Cashew Milk–Braised Green Plantains Recipe

By
Sohla El-Waylly
Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more.

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Updated March 19, 2020

Why It Works

  • Soaking the cut plantains in a light brine prevents them from oxidizing and helps them keep their shape while they simmer in the sauce.
  • Blended cashews make a creamy and rich sauce.
  • Sautéing the aromatics and spices in oil makes them more fragrant.

Dense and meaty green plantains are hearty enough to stand on their own in this creamy cashew sauce. We simmer the thick slabs of plantain in a blend of rich cashew milk, bright herbs, and aromatic spices for balanced flavor and a vibrant hue. Although it's substantial enough as a main course, its bright acidity makes this the perfect side to grilled fish or sautéed shrimp as well.

20180305-braised-plantains-vicky-wasik-10
Photographs: Vicky Wasik; Video: Natalie Holt

Recipe Details

Vegan Cashew Milk–Braised Green Plantains Recipe

Active 20 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 large unripe green plantains (2.2 pounds; 1kg)

  • Kosher salt

  • 1/3 cup raw cashews (1.8 ounces; 50g)

  • 4 scallions (2 ounces; 60g), cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1/2 bunch cilantro (2 ounces; 60g), roughly chopped

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (1 ounce; 30g)

  • 3 cloves garlic (0.5 ounce; 15g), sliced

  • One 1/2–inch piece fresh turmeric (1 ounce; 30g), cut into 1/8-inch matchsticks

  • One 1/2–inch piece fresh ginger (1 ounce; 30g), cut into 1/8-inch matchsticks

  • 2 teaspoons (10g) ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (1 ounce; 30g), from about 1 lime

  • Cooked white rice, for serving

Directions

  1. Cut ends off plantains and trim into 3- to 4-inch pieces. Stand each trimmed plantain piece upright and slice off skin with a sharp chef's knife or utility knife. Cut each peeled section into 1/4-inch-thick planks. Drop prepared plantain pieces into a brine made of 1 teaspoon of salt per quart of water.

  2. In a blender, combine cashews, scallions, cilantro, and 25 fluid ounces (750ml) water and blend until smooth. If desired, strain cashew milk through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any stray bits.

  3. In a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, add vegetable oil, garlic, turmeric, and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add cumin and black pepper and cook until the spices bloom in the oil, about 1 minute.

  4. Add cashew and herb purée to pot. Season with kosher salt to taste. Drain plantains and add to cashew sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until plantains become tender, about 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent cashew sauce from scorching. Finish braised plantains with sugar and lime juice. Serve with rice.

Special Equipment

Blender, chef's knife, fine-mesh strainer (optional)

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
445Calories
10gFat
89gCarbs
7gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories445
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g13%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 335mg15%
Total Carbohydrate 89g32%
Dietary Fiber 6g20%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 25mg127%
Calcium 54mg4%
Iron 5mg25%
Potassium 1020mg22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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