Baking Bananas!

Guatemalans have a recipe called Platanos al Horno, or Baked Plantains. I had bookmarked the recipe some time ago in the cookbook Extending the Table. The cookbook is such a treasure and I have cooked several recipes from its pages. This particular one was on standby until just the right time. I think now is the right time, don't you? With 125 pounds (minus a few) of plantains piled in my dining room, I thought I could spare a few for this!

This is really a very simple recipe that could be served all on its own, but would definitely stand strong paired with vanilla ice cream, angel food cake, pancakes or as I enjoyed them this morning, stirred into my oatmeal!

Baked Plantains in Orange Sauce

3 ripe (yellow with brown spots) plantains (or use 5 "regular" bananas that are between yellow and green)
2 tablespoons of butter
3/4 cup of orange juice
1 teaspoon of grated lime rind (or orange rind)
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg (or cinnamon)

Preheat oven to 375F. Melt butter in a pie sized baking dish in the oven. Peel and slice the plantains. Place in baking dish and stir to coat plantains. Pour orange juice over the plantains and sprinkle with lime rind and nutmeg. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes, basting occasionally. Enjoy! Serves 4. Adapted from Extending the Table.


Platanos al Horno

3 platanos bellacos, maduros
2 cucharadas de mantequilla
3/4 taza de jugo de naranja
1 cucharita de cascara de limon, rayado (o cascara de naranja)
1/8 cucharita de nuez moscada (o canela)

Precalentar el horno a 190C. Derrite la mantequilla en un fuente para pie dentro del horno. Pele y pique en rodajas. Pon los rodajas en la fuente, moviendo todo para cubrir los platanos con mantequilla. Hecha encima el jugo y despues la nuez moscada. Hornea a 190C por 25-30 minutos, moviendo de vez en cuando. Sirve solo o con panqueques, bizcochuelo o avena! 4 porciones.