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Breakfast

vegetarian

Photo Credit: Rachel Mayo

Banana Akara: African Banana Fritter

Akara, which loosely translates to "bread," is a traditional West African dish usually made with beans, as a savory treat. It's one of those dishes that is made best by your grandmother and no one else's. My interpretation, though, finds its place as a dessert or a tasty breakfast pastry. Pair it with your coffee for a sweet breakfast treat.

15 mins

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

4-6 overripe bananas

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg

Peanut or vegetable oil for frying

DIRECTIONS

Bring oil to low-medium heat (350°).

In a blender or mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix until smooth.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring utensil, scoop the akara mixture into the skillet, being sure to allow spacing for individual akara to form without sticking together. (Don’t worry—this is not an orderly process and akara often take on shapes of their own!)

Continually flip the akara until desired crispness is achieved. (Some like them more crispy than others!) Either way, it doesn't take long for the fritter to fry.

Once done, remove them from the skillet and let them dry on a paper towel lined plate.

They don't need toppings, but powdered sugar, chocolate syrup, honey, caramel, all pair well! Vanilla ice cream makes an amazing addition to this little treat, too.

COOKING TOGETHER

KIDS' SOUS-CHEF DUTIES

The kids can do almost all of this, from peeling bananas to measuring to mixing. Big kids can even help with the frying, but parents should use your judgment with the hot oil. Grown-ups, measure your stress level and move forward accordingly!

Bristol Mayo

Bristol Mayo is a husband, father, traveler, kitchen alchemist, first of his name, lord of the sauces, and loyal subject of Wakanda. He believes food is tied to memory for a reason—it’s not necessarily about skill, but the feeling it leaves in your heart and belly! Bristol does the cooking while his partner-in-crime Rachel—wife, mother, taste-tester, food photographer extraordinaire—takes the photos.

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