How to Make Traditional Banane Malaxée (Topsi Banana) from Scratch

Summary
Topsi Banana—also known as Banane Malaxée—is a traditional Cameroonian dish of green bananas simmered in a creamy, savory peanut sauce enriched with palm oil, spices, and often smoked fish or crayfish AFROVITALITYEATS. The recipe involves roasting and grinding peanuts into a smooth paste, preparing a spiced aromatics base, and cooking peeled green bananas in the sauce until tender and well coated AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA. Variations may swap smoked fish for chicken or omit seafood for a vegetarian version, and shortcuts include using smooth peanut butter instead of freshly roasted peanuts TasteAtlas. Topsi Banana pairs beautifully with fufu or rice and can also be enjoyed as a hearty porridge-like breakfast or snack AFROVITALITYEATS.

What Is Topsi Banana?

Topsi Banana (French: Banane Malaxée) originates from Cameroon’s West Region, where green bananas are a dietary staple AFROVITALITYEATS. Unlike plantain-based dishes, this recipe specifically uses unripe bananas for their starchiness, which holds up well in a thick peanut sauce Wikipedia. The name “Malaxée” refers to the mashing (malaxage) process of blending bananas and peanut paste into a cohesive, sticky stew AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.

Essential Ingredients

Main Components

• Green Bananas (plantain-type): 7 medium, peeled and halved AFROVITALITYEATS
• Raw Peanuts: 1 cup, skin-on AFROVITALITYEATS
• Smoked Fish or Protein: ½ lb smoked mackerel or substitute with chicken/beef AFROVITALITYEATS
• Dried Crayfish: ¼ cup, for depth AFROVITALITYEATS

Aromatics & Spices

• Onion: 1 medium, half chopped, half blended AFROVITALITYEATS
• Garlic & Ginger: 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, blended AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA
• Habanero (Scotch Bonnet): ½–1 pepper, chopped TasteAtlas
• Cameroon Pepper & White Pepper: ⅛ tsp each AFROVITALITYEATS
• Salt & Bouillon: Maggi or bouillon cubes to taste AFROVITALITYEATS

Fats & Liquids

• Palm Oil: 2 Tbsp, traditionally red palm oil TasteAtlas
• Water or Stock: 2–3 cups AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Roast and Blend Peanuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F and spread peanuts on a baking sheet; roast 7–10 minutes until fragrant and slightly oily AFROVITALITYEATS.
2. Allow to cool, then blend with a splash of warm water to form a smooth paste; set aside AFROVITALITYEATS.

2. Prepare Bananas and Protein

1. Peel green bananas, halve each, and soak in cold water to prevent browning AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.
2. Debone smoked fish, rinse, and reserve; chop chicken/beef into chunks if using alternative protein AFROVITALITYEATS.

3. Cook Aromatics

1. In a deep skillet, heat palm oil until shimmering; add chopped onions and fry 1 minute AFROVITALITYEATS.
2. Stir in blended garlic–ginger mixture and habanero; sauté 2 minutes until aromatic AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.

4. Simmer Bananas in Sauce

1. Add banana halves, stir to coat, cover, and cook 5 minutes AFROVITALITYEATS.
2. Pour in 1½ cups water or stock, stir, cover, and simmer 5–7 minutes; remove bananas while cooking fish separately to avoid overcooking AFROVITALITYEATS.
3. Stir in peanut paste, simmer 15–20 minutes until foam dissipates and sauce thickens, adding water if necessary AFROVITALITYEATS.

5. Final Seasoning

1. Return fish or protein to the pot; add Cameroon and white pepper, salt, and bouillon; simmer 5 minutes AFROVITALITYEATS.
2. Remove from heat, rest 3–5 minutes, then serve AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.

Cooking Tips & Variations

• Peanut Butter Shortcut: Use ¾ cup unsweetened peanut butter thinned with warm water for convenience, though freshly roasted peanuts are ideal TasteAtlas.
• Protein Substitutes: Swap smoked fish for grilled chicken, beef, or tofu to suit dietary needs AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.
• Heat Adjustment: Remove seeds from habanero for milder spice; add extra for bold heat TasteAtlas.
• Texture Control: Mash a few banana halves to thicken, or leave whole for chunks AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.

Serving Suggestions

• With Fufu or Eba: Pair with cassava or plantain fufu to soak up the sauce TasteAtlas.
• Over Rice: Spoon over steamed rice for a quick, one-pot meal AFROVITALITYEATS.
• As Breakfast Porridge: Enjoy like a savory porridge for breakfast or snack AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What bananas to use?
Use firm, green cooking bananas (not sweet dessert bananas) for the correct starchiness and texture AFRICAN DIASPORA COOKING AUSTRALIA.

Q2: Can I ferment the bananas?
No—topsi bananas rely on peanut tang and spices; fermentation is not traditional AFROVITALITYEATS.

Q3: How long do leftovers last?
Refrigerate up to 2 days; reheat gently with water to restore creaminess AFROVITALITYEATS.

Q4: Where to find crayfish?
Available in African markets or online retailers like Amazon AFROVITALITYEATS.

Conclusion

Topsi Banana is a hearty Cameroonian classic that transforms humble green bananas into a rich, flavorful dish with African peanut flavors. By following these authentic, step-by-step instructions—and leveraging fresh roasted peanuts, palm oil, and local spices—you can recreate this beloved West-Cameroonian meal at home. Whether paired with fufu, rice, or enjoyed as a savory porridge, Topsi Banana brings a taste of Cameroon’s culinary heritage to your table.