Brown Rice with Peanut Butter and Fried Bananas (Angolan Arroz Integral com Mantiega de Amendoim e Bananas)

An absolutely delicious side dish from Angola that has a clear Portuguese influence. I would have never thought to pair these flavours together however it is a hit. I will make this one often. Sometimes trying new things brings happiness and this one is sure to do just that.

1 cup brown rice
1 cup tomato juice
1 cup water
1 medium onion
1 medium green and red pepper
¼ cup peanut oil
½ Tbsp. curry powder
½ tsp. kosher or sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
2 medium tomatoes
¼ cup peanut butter
1 medium banana you can use regular bananas ripe but still firm or plantains-ripe and black

Pour the brown rice, tomato juice and 1 cup of water in a 2 qt pot over high heat.

When mixture comes to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is done (45-50 minutes)

Meanwhile, slice onions and green and red peppers and sauté in ¼ cup peanut oil until onions are soft. Add curry powder, salt and pepper, mix well, heat for 1 minute. Add ¼ cup water, tomatoes and peanut butter. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Peel banana and cut into ½" slices.

In another fry pan sauté the sliced banana in a little peanut oil until lightly golden on both sides.

To serve, place the rice in a serving platter, pour the onion sauce over the rice and top with fried bananas.

Makes 4 servings.