Yangnyeom Kelewele: Gochujang-Honey Glazed Plantain (Ghanaian x Korean)

Method

1. Peel the plantains and cut them into 2 cm cubes. Toss with the grated ginger, half the garlic (grated), the gochugaru and the salt until evenly coated, and leave for 15 min. Unlike classic kelewele the marinade is dry, so the pieces fry crisper and the glaze sticks.

   Add in this stepVery ripe plantains (yellow with plenty of black spots) 2Fresh ginger, grated 12 gGarlic cloves 1½Gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes) 1 tspSalt 1 pinch

2. Just before frying, sprinkle over the cornstarch and toss until every piece has a thin, dry coating. Shake off any excess in a sieve; too much starch turns gummy under the glaze.

   Add in this stepCornstarch 2 tbsp

3. Pour the oil into a dry, heavy 20 cm pot, at least 4 cm deep and no more than one third full. Heat over medium-high heat for 7 min, to 175 °C: a piece dropped in should sizzle hard straight away. Keep a lid at hand and never leave hot oil unattended.

   Add in this stepVegetable oil for deep-frying 600 ml

   medium-high heat

4. Fry the plantain in batches without crowding (number of batches: 2), each batch over medium-high heat for 3 min 30 sec, stirring gently, until golden and crisp with caramelised edges. Drain on a rack.

   medium-high heat

5. Put the gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, the rest of the garlic (grated) and the water in a 24 cm frying pan or wok. Simmer over medium-low heat for 2 min, stirring, until it bubbles all over and thickens to a glossy syrup that coats the spoon. Honey burns easily, so keep the heat gentle.

   Add in this stepGochujang (Korean chilli paste) 2 tbspHoney 2 tbspSoy sauce 1 tbspRice vinegar 1 tspGarlic cloves 1½Water 2 tbsp

   medium-low heat

6. Turn off the heat (heat off), add the fried plantain and toss for 30 sec until every piece is glazed. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and sliced spring onions and serve immediately, while the outside is still crisp.

   Add in this stepToasted sesame seeds 1 tspSpring onions 1

   heat off