Puerto Rican Plantain Food

TRADITIONAL PLANTAIN MOFONGO RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat about 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350 F.
• While the oil is heating up, peel the plantains and cut into 1-inch rounds.
• Fry the plantains until golden and tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Remove cooked plantains from the pan or fryer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Put the garlic paste in a large bowl or mortar and add the fried plantains, in batches, if necessary. Mash thoroughly.
• Add the pork rinds. Continue to mash and mix until all of the ingredients are combined. Add salt to taste.
• Shape the mofongo into 4 balls and serve.
• Alternatively, you can make the mofongo into a half-dome shape using a small condiment bowl as a mold; push a portion of mofongo down to the bottom of the bowl.
• With the back of a spoon, smooth over and level off the mix.
• Then use the spoon to scrape around the bowl and remove the mash in a half-dome shape.

PUERTO RICAN PLANTAIN RECIPES: INCLUDING TOSTONES (FRIED GREEN PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Start by peeling your plantains and cutting into 1 inch sections. Preheat your oil in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat.
• Once the oil is hot, gently add in your plantain chunks, making sure not to crown the pan too much. Your pan should have enough oil to almost cover the slices, so add more if needed. Fry the slices for 8-10 minutes, making sure to flip them until golden brown all around.
• Remove the slices and cool on a paper towel lined plate. Once the slices are cool, use a plate to smash the slices until they flatten just slightly. Make sure to not smash them too thin or they will break apart on the second fry.
• In a large bowl combine the water, lime juice, salt and adobo seasoning (optional). Gently add in the fried plantains and soak for 4-5 minutes before draining the water and patting dry with paper towels.
• Bring the oil back to high heat and add the smashed plantains back to the oil, frying for another 5 minutes or until crispy. Top with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lime juice and enjoy!

PUERTO RICAN PLANTAIN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray.
• Arrange cut plantains into a single layer. Lightly salt and coat with cooking spray. The salt will bring out the sweet flavor of the plantains.
• Bake for 7 minutes on each side, or until plantains are golden brown and very tender.
• Once done, set aside to be used later to layer the lasagna.
• Lower the oven temperature to 350°F.
• Heat oil in a large saucepot over a medium high flame. Add onions; sauté until onions are tender. Add pepper and stir for another few minutes until peppers soften.
• Add the Soy Chorizo and 1-cup tomato sauce to the mixture and stir well. Reduce heat to a medium flame and simmer covered for another 5-7 minutes.
• To assemble Pastelon: In a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan, spread remaining ¼ cup tomato sauce. Then layer with plantains. Spread chorizo mixture on top of plantains. Layer with a handful of cheese. Repeat layers until the last layer is cheese. You will most likely get three layers.
• In a separate bowl, thoroughly beat eggs with milk. Pour evenly over the Pastelón. Let sit for a minute allowing the egg mixture to soak inches Top off with just a bit more cheese.
• Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Remove cover and let bake another 7 minutes.

PUERTO RICAN TOSTONES (FRIED PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Peel the plantain and cut it into 1-inch chunks.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet. Place the plantains in the oil and fry on both sides,; approximately 3 1/2 minutes per side.
• Remove the plantains from the pan and flatten the plantains by placing a plate over the fried plantains and pressing down.
• Dip the plantains in water, then return them to the hot oil and fry 1 minute on each side. Salt to taste and serve immediately.

PUERTO RICAN PLANTAIN TOSTONES

Steps:

• Peel plantains and slice into 1 inch thick sections.
• Place water, salt and garlic in a large baking pan.
• Soak the plantain slices in the garlic mixture for 20 minutes.
• Pour oil in a pan set at 365 degrees.
• Fry plantains until they are golden brown on all sides.
• Flatten each plantain between sheets of wax paper with a plate or the palm of your hand.
• Dip flattened plantains into garlic mixture and place on a paper towl.
• Place plantains into the oil once again and fry until crispy and golden brown.
• Sprinkle with salt to taste.
• Serve promptly after frying for best taste.

MOFONGO (PUERTO RICAN PLANTAIN BALLS)

Steps:

• Peel plantains and cut into one-inch slices.
• In a large saucepan or deep fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees. Add plantain slices in two batches and fry for 7 minutes, turning once, until light golden but not browned. Drain on paper towels.
• In a large mortar or big bowl, crush garlic cloves with pestle or the back of a spoon and sprinkle with salt. Add olive oil to the mixture and keep pounding until it's well incorporated. Transfer to a small bowl.
• In the same mortar or bowl, crush half of the fried plantain slices with half of the pork rinds, 1/2 slice of cooked bacon, and half the garlic aioli and pound or smash together. Add up to 1/2 cup chicken stock as needed, to make it moist.
• Spoon the mixture and shape into two-inch balls. Repeat with remaining ingredients and keep in warm oven until ready to serve. Top with more crushed chicharrón, or cilantro if you wish.