Smashed Plantains Food

SMASHED CARAMELIZED PLANTAINS "PLATANOS AL CALDERO"

Steps:

• Cut ends off plantains, peel and slice in half lengthwise. Set 2 large nonstick saute pans over medium-high heat and add oil and 2 tablespoons butter into each pan. Add plantains and cook for 10 minutes - you don't want to move it too frequently otherwise it won't caramelize as well, flipping halfway. Once you flip the plantains, sprinkle with light brown sugar (depending on the ripeness/sweetness of the plantains, adjust the sugar amount) and salt. The plantains should be nice and golden. Squeeze with fresh lime juice just before serving.

MASHED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Combine 3 chopped ripe plantains in a saucepan with 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspon kosher salt. Cover with water and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid. Mash the plantains. Brown 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet, 6 to 10 minutes. Mix into the plantains; add enough of the reserved liquid until creamy. Season with salt, pepper and ground cinnamon.

SMASHED GARLIC PLANTAINS - MOFONGO

Steps:

• Mix handful of salt into a bowl of cold water and soak plantain chunks. Place stock in saucepan over low heat to warm. Bring at least 1 inch of oil to about 350 F degrees in a deep skillet.
• Meanwhile, cook chicharrones or bacon until crisp; remove from heat and drain. Remove plantains from water, drain and dry them on towels, then deep fry the pieces (careful, they may spatter) until golden brown and tender. Remove from oil. Flatten the plantains using the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass bottle or a tostonera if you have one. Fry the plantains again for 30 seconds on each side until slightly crispy.
• While the plantains are still hot use a wooden mortar and pestle to mash them with the garlic and the chicharrones. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• You can also use a food processor - add the plantains to food processor with bacon, garlic and some salt and pepper. You may have to work in batches. Process to consistency of mashed - not whipped - potatoes. Do not over process!
• Place the mixture in soup bowls or wooden pilons, douse with broth, garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

SMASHED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• In large skillet, heat oil on high. Lightly smash the slices of plantains using a large, flat meat tenderizer or a heavy-bottomed pot.
• Dredge plantain slices in flour very lightly. Fry for 2 minutes per side or until golden.
• Transfer to tray lined with paper towel to drain. Season the smashed plantains with salt and pepper.

TWICE-FRIED AND MASHED GREEN PLANTAINS (TOSTONES)

Steps:

• In a heavy pot, add enough oil to fill halfway. Heat until a deep-frying thermometer reads 350 degrees F or the handle of a wooden spoon begins to sizzle immediately when dipped in the oil.
• Add the plantains and fry until bright yellow and slightly golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon to a sheet of parchment paper. Make sure all pieces are standing tall on the cut side, then place another sheet over the top. Using a small plate, glass or other flat item smash each piece into a 1/4-inch jagged circle.
• Place the plantain discs back in the oil and fry for 4 to 6 more minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove to a wire rack and sprinkle with salt.

MASHED PLANTAINS WITH CHORIZO: FUFU

Steps:

• Put the plantain pieces a pot large enough to hold them, and add water and milk. Add turmeric and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Drain and mash through a ricer.
• Lightly coat a separate pan with canola oil. Add chorizo and saute for 5 minutes over low heat. Add pureed plantain and mix well.
• Serve with the Mojo.

MASHED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Sprinkle the plantains with salt and cayenne; drizzle with the oil to coat. Arrange, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the cut sides of the plantains begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes. Turn the plantains; roast 10 minutes more.
• Mash the hot plantains on the baking sheet with a potato masher until somewhat smooth (some large chunks should remain). Transfer to a serving bowl, and drizzle with the lime juice.

MASHED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle plantains with salt and cayenne; drizzle with oil to coat. Arrange, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until cut sides of plantains begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes. Turn plantains; roast 10 minutes more.
• Mash hot plantains on baking sheet with a potato masher until somewhat smooth (some large chunks should remain). Transfer to a serving bowl, and drizzle with lime juice.

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.

MASHED PLANTAIN

Steps:

• Peel the plantains and cook them in salted water until they become soft inside.
• Leave for a few minutes in a colander to lose excess water.
• Mash while still hot and mix in the cream, butter, cream cheese, parsley and a pinch of salt.
• If it has to be reheated, do it in a double boiler.

CREAMY MASHED PLANTAINS (PURE DE PLATANO)

Steps:

• Place plantains in a large pot and cover with water and salt. Bring to a boil; cook until plantains can be easily pierced with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain plantains and cut lengthwise to remove veins; cut into smaller pieces.
• Place plantains, butter, milk, nutmeg, and white pepper in a food processor and pulse until creamy. Sprinkle cheese on top.

MASHED PLANTAINS WITH FRIED EGGS (MANGú DE PLáTANOS)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the plantains and boil until fork-tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the plantains, reserving ½ cup (125 mL) of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, place the red onion in a small bowl and cover with the vinegar.
• Transfer the plantains to a medium bowl and add the reserved cooking water, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mash the plantains to the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• In a medium frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Drain the red onions and discard the vinegar. Add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• In the same pan (no need to wipe clean), heat the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil over medium heat. Carefully crack the eggs into the pan, leaving space between each egg. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the whites are cooked and no longer translucent and the yolks are still runny. (I prefer the eggs over easy for this dish.)
• To serve, divide the mashed plantain between plates and top with a fried egg, cooked onions, and a few slices of avocado. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

MASHED SWEET POTATOES AND PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Peel and dice the potatoes into 1 inch cubes. Place into a pot of cold water (the water should completely cover potatoes) and bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes are fork tender. Strain.
• While the potatoes are cooking, slice the plantains into 1 inch thick slices. Place some butter in a pan and pan fry the plantains until golden brown.
• Mash the potatoes and plantains together, then add milk, 2 tbsp butter, salt, and brown sugar.