Canoa Food

CANOAS DE PLATANOS MADUROS (SWEET PLANTAIN CANOES)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine, beef, onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, adobo, oregano, vinegar and sazon. Mix well.
• Heat a large skillet at medium-high heat with 2 Tbs of olive oil, add meat mixture.
• Cook beef until brown and of the juices bubble up, add bay leaves, olives, raisins and tomato sauce. Mix and let simmer for 10 minutes, set aside.
• Heat a large frying pan with about 2 inches of vegetable oil, just enough to cover the plantains. Fry plantains for 8 - 10 minutes or until golden and slitely crispy. Drain on a plate with paper towel, set aside.
• To assemble canoas: when the plantains are cool enough to handle, cut a slit down the inside curve of the plantain. Using your knife and a fork, gently pry the plantain open until it opens and resembles a canoe. Fill the plantain with some shredded cheese, stuff with meat mixture and top with more shredded cheese. Transfer the stuffed plantains to a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray.
• Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

CANOAS (STUFFED SWEET PLANTAINS) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Make the beef filling: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and green pepper and sauté until softened and translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cilantro and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
• Add the ground beef, breaking up with a spatula to incorporate into the vegetables. Season with the adobo, garlic powder, and black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-low heat, stir in the tomato sauce, and cook until heated through, 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside until ready to use.
• Make the plantains: Trim the ends off of the plantains, then peel.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-walled skillet over medium-low heat until the temperature reaches 350°F (180°C). Working in batches if needed, add the plantains and fry, turning every 30 seconds or so, until golden brown on all sides and tender enough to be pierced with a fork, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain until cool enough to handle.
• Transfer the plantains to a cutting board. Cut a slit lengthwise down each plantain, being careful not to cut all the way through. Use 2 forks to gently pull each plantain open. Use a fork, flat-side down, to press the base of the "canoe" to widen. Transfer to a baking dish and season with salt.
• Fill each plantain with ¼-⅓ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, add about ½-¾ cup of the beef filling, then top with ¼-⅓ cup more cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and bubbly. Garnish with torn cilantro.
• Enjoy!