Thursday's Side Dish: Picking Plantains

Coconut milk combo -- it's bananas

Use coconut milk and plantains -- Hawaiian plantains (which are shown here), or the usual variety found at any big-chain supermarket or international grocer -- in another potential side dish. Coconut milk is white and produced by squeezing water combined with grated coconut. It is different from coconut juice, which is translucent and forms naturally inside the nut. To make the dish, slice anywhere from four to six plantains (depending on their size) into ½-inch pieces and place them in a large pot and cover. Put stove on medium heat. Add one can of coconut milk and an equal amount of water. Next, add one tablespoon sugar. Bring everything to a boil on medium high heat. Lower heat and let simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Helpful Hint: Bananas and plantains are rich sources of potassium.