Brazilian recipe
Easy Pan-Fried Green Plantain Farofa (Farofa de banana-da-terra)
A proper Brazilian comfort food staple, this crunchy, golden plantain farofa is a quick and delicious side dish that brings a touch of sweetness to your weeknight meals.
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Ingredients
2 green plantains (banana-da-terra), firm and unripened
2 cups yellow flaked cornmeal (farinha de milho flocada)
75g unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups yellow flaked cornmeal (farinha de milho flocada)
75g unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Where to find ingredients
You can find green plantains in the world food section of larger supermarkets or at local independent grocers specialising in Caribbean or Latin American produce. When choosing your cornmeal, ensure you pick up the coarse flaked variety found in the world food aisle; standard fine polenta will not give you the right texture for this dish.
Preparation method
- Trim the ends off the green plantains and peel away the skin
- Slice each plantain in half lengthways
- Cut each half lengthways again into long quarters
- If the resulting strips feel too chunky, slice them into three smaller lengths
- Dice the plantain strips into consistent 1cm cubes
- Warm a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat
- Pour the vegetable oil into the pan
- Add the diced plantains and a generous pinch of salt, tossing to coat
- Sauté for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn a lovely golden colour. Adjust the time based on the plantain's firmness; they should caramelise gently without turning mushy
- Turn the heat down to low
- Add the butter cubes and swirl the pan until they have completely melted and coated the fruit
- Season with 1 tsp of salt and a good crack of black pepper
- Gradually stir in the flaked cornmeal, using a spatula to ensure every bit is well incorporated with the butter
- Toast the mixture for another 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the farofa is beautifully crunchy and golden brown
- Remove from the heat and serve your farofa while it's still warm
Observations
Farofa de banana-da-terra is a quintessential Brazilian side dish, cherished for its delightful contrast between the subtle sweetness of caramelised green plantains and the signature crunch of toasted cornmeal. It is a fantastic way to elevate a roast dinner or any weekday meal. This no-fuss recipe is incredibly quick to whip up, offering that authentic taste of home with simple ingredients.
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