Smashed Plantains Food

SWEET PLANTAIN PUREE

Steps:

• Cut the tips off the plantains and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water and turn heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer until they are cooked. Depending on how ripened the plantains are, they will take between 10 to 15 minutes. They have to be soft to the touch and the skin will start to split into some of their sides.
• Remove from pot, drain excess water and let cool until you are able to handle them. Remove their peels.
• Place plantains in a frying pan and, with the help of a bean or potato masher, mash to form a puree. You can also use the bottom of a heavy glass to perform this step, as it is shown in the picture above.
• Now, turn the heat to medium-high and add the butter. Stir well, allowing it to melt, then stir in the cream and season with salt. Usually, the texture is more like a paste than a soft puree, but you can add more cream or butter if that is your choice. Once everything has been well mixed and warmed, it is ready to be served. Enjoy!

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.

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.

MANGú

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the onions and vinegar. Add a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan, boil the plantain in water with 2 pinches of salt, until very tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• While cooking plantains, heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven.
• Sauté the onions and vinegar (being careful not to burn, as vinegar may splash in oil). Set aside.
• Once plantain is tender, drain and place in a large dish.
• Add the butter or olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of the onion mixture.
• Begin crushing the bananas with a potato masher by gradually incorporating cold water until obtaining a velvety purée.
• To serve, add the onions mixture on top.
• Serve with fried Dominican salami, fried Dominican cheese and fried egg.

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.

BELIZEAN FU-FU (MASHED PLANTAIN)

Steps:

• Plantains are ripe when the skin turns black and they are soft to the touch. Peel the plantain and cut in half. (I've found it easiest to peel by scoring the skin with a knife in several spots before attempting to peel).
• Put plantain in a pot covered with water and boil until soft (I have no idea on the time, will update the recipe after I try it).
• Drain water and mash in pot with a potato masher.
• Add butter and salt as to taste.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 RIPE PLANTAIN

Steps:

• Fill a large saucepan or pot ¾ with water to a boil.
• With a knife, cut the ends of the plantains and slice plantain in half. Now slice lengthwise across the peel where the knife meets the flesh. Remove the peel from plantains and repeat this process with the rest of them.
• In the saucepan or pot, carefully add the peeled plantain pieces in hot water. Set the heat to low or medium temperature and leave to simmer until you get the tender plantain.
• To find out if the plantains are well-cooked, use a fork to prick the plantain. It should determine if the plantains are soft to touch with a bright yellow texture.
• Drain the excess water from the pot and put the plantains in a medium-size bowl, and allow them to cool down before you start to mash them.
• Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the plantains. If the plantains are firm, you may need to add some coconut milk to assist you with mashing.
• Once they are mashed, add additional ingredients and spices according to your taste. I have added some agave, cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, and salt.

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.