Fried Plantains With Cheese Plantanos Fritos Con Queso Food

FRIED RIPE PLANTAINS - PLATANOS MADUROS FRITOS

Steps:

• Wash and peel the plantains
• Slice the plantains, the best way to slice them is either diagonally or cut the plantain in half and slice lengthwise. The plantain can also be sliced lengthwise full size, but the smaller diagonal or half slices are easier to manage.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large frying pan and add the plantains
• The plantains will cook very quickly, make sure to turn them before they burn and cook until golden on each side. You can use a spatula or a fork to turn them. If the plantain flesh is still pink or white inside it means that it is not yet fully cooked.
• Thicker slices and less ripe plantains will need longer to cook, and maybe more oil.
• Place the cooked plantains on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
• Serve warm

FRIED SWEET PLANTAINS (PLATANOS MADUROS FRITOS)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat; add the plantain slices and fry for about 4 minutes on each side, moving the slices with a spatula occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Remove the plantains from the skillet with a slotted spoon and let drain on paper towels.
• Transfer to a large, warm serving platter, sprinkle with lemon juice and salt and serve warm.
• *unripeplantains are green and hard, as they ripen they turn yellow and then get mottled with dark spots; Ripe plantains are sweet and soft and are brownish-black in color and resemble overripe bananas; To ripen a plantain, keep them in a warm place until they turn yellow, then brownish-black.

EMPANADA DE QUESO: CHEESE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and vinegar. Slowly add the water, as needed, mixing to form the dough, until well blended. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and knead gently until the dough becomes smooth, only a few seconds. Wrap well and chill for 30 minutes.
• Saute onion in butter and add spinach over medium heat. Cool and then combine with cheese, hazelnuts, and raisins.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll half the chilled dough to 1/8 inch thick (keep the other half refrigerated until ready to use). Cut out 3-inch circles. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of each circle. Brush egg wash around the edges of the dough. Fold the edges up forming a pouch, and seal.
• Refrigerate the empanadas on greased or parchment lined baking sheets at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush the empanadas with egg wash and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

FRIED SWEET PLANTAINS (PLANTANOS MADUROS)

Steps:

• Peel the plantains and cut them in 1/2 on a bias, then slice in 1/2 lengthwise so you have 4 pieces.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Fry the plantains until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Serve with lime wedges.

PLATANOS ASADOS CON QUESO - BAKED RIPE PLANTAINS WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400 F.
• Peel the plantains, place them on a baking sheet and rub them with butter or oil.
• Bake the plantains for 30 minutes, then turn each one and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until golden on both sides.
• Remove the plantains from the oven, made a horizontal slit on the middle of each plantain, and stuff them with the cheese slices.
• In a few minutes the cheese will have melted, serve immediately, with or without hot sauce.