Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
Magic City Sweet Ice
Wani and David Shaw show off a plate of Liberian rice bread at Magic City Sweet Ice.
It’s that time of year again, when we kick off a new year with new resolutions. A revamped diet and exercise regimen tops many people’s list, and so the hunt begins to refine our personal cookbooks with recipes that will ensure success.
In this series, we ask local culinary professionals to dish out the details on some of their favorite creations. Today, we talk with Wani Shaw of Magic City Sweet Ice, 715 Oak Grove Road.
Q: What’s a delicious dish that won’t ruin your New Year’s resolution diet?
A: Liberian rice bread.
Q: How did you learn about this recipe?
A: It’s something I learned how to make growing up in Liberia. I modified the recipe because the modern woman doesn’t have time to make it the traditional way.
Q: What do you like about this recipe?
A: It’s a cross between gingerbread and banana bread. I like it because it’s not too sweet, has a crunchy texture and goes well with coffee. Plus, it’s gluten-free.
Recipe:
►1 box (14 ounces) Cream of Rice cereal
► ½ cup sugar
► ½ cup light brown sugar
► 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
► 1 tablespoon ground ginger (Shaw adds extra ginger in her own version for a stronger flavor)
► 1 teaspoon nutmeg
► ½ teaspoon cinnamon
► 1 teaspoon baking soda
► 1/4 teaspoon salt
► 1 teaspoon vanilla
► ½ cup milk (low or fat free can be substituted)
► 1½ stick butter (melted) OR ½ cup of vegetable oil (Shaw prefers butter to oil for the taste)
► 3 large eggs
► 2 very ripe plantains (or 4 large ripe bananas), mashed or blended
Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or grease a 9-by-9-inch pan with nonstick baking spray.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. In a mixing bowl, mix eggs, oil, vanilla and mashed plantains/banana. Add milk and combine.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix well.
5. Transfer to baking pan. Shaw recommends a Bundt cake or small sheet pan so the bread stays thick enough to rise.
6. Bake about 30 to 45 minutes or until done (the edges will start to separate from the side of the baking pan). The pan size will make a difference in the baking time.
Makes about 12 servings.