Sweet Plantain Bread Recipes

Steps:

• To peel the plantains, cut off ends and discard. With a paring knife, make 3 shallow slits lengthwise along the seams of the skin and peel away. Split the plantains lengthwise.
• Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet and place over medium low heat (plantains have a high sugar content and will burn if the heat is too high.)
• Fry the plantains in a single layer, until golden on the bottom then turn over with a spatula.
• Add the cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar and let cook a few more seconds, just to begin caramelizing the sugar.
• Just before serving, melt remaining tablespoon of butter to finish the sauce. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• For the cheese spread: In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sugar, and chopped hazelnuts until fluffy and evenly blended. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
• For the plantains: Use 1/2 tablespoon of the butter to thoroughly grease a 9 inch round glass pie dish. Peel the plantain and slice it 1/4 inch thick on the diagonal. In a small skillet, heat the butter over medium heat and saute the plantain for 2 or 3 minutes per side, until softened and golden. Distribute the plantain evenly on the bottom of the pie dish and set aside.
• For the batter: Preheat the oven to 325.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition. Peel the bananas and, in a medium bowl, mash them together with a fork, then mix in the milk and the walnuts. In another bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. First add the banana mixture to the creamed butter mixture, then fold in the flour mixture, stirring only until all the flour has disappeared.
• To make the bread: Scoop the batter into the pie dish on top of the plantains and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake will be a nice deep golden brown. Cool the pan on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out upside down and slice for serving, warm or at room temperature. Pass the hazelnut cheese spread.

Steps:

• Make the jam. Combine the pineapple, any pineapple juice, brown sugar, raisins, lemon juice, cinnamon stick and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove from the heat. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, and let the jam cool slightly or to room temperature. (Jam can be made ahead and refrigerated.)
• Meanwhile, make the sweet bread. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pour the melted butter into an 8-inch square baking pan (cast-iron can be used too). Combine the cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water over the cornmeal. Add the milk and eggs and whisk until combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature with the jam.