Sweet Cajun Plantain Food

PLANTAINS 101: PERFECTLY ROASTED EVERY TIME!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 F (218 C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• To cut the plantains, trim and discard the ends. Then use the tip of your knife to make a shallow cut lengthwise through the peel, doing your best not to pierce the flesh of the plantain. Remove the peel and slice the plantain on an angle into 1/4-inch slices.
• Place the sliced plantains on the prepared baking sheet and toss with oil and salt (optional).
• Bake for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until golden brown and slightly caramelized on both sides.
• They're delicious paired with our Easy Vegan Picadillo, Smoky Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas & Greens, Black Bean Plantain Vegan Bowls, Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant (30 Minutes!), or either of the sauces recommended above.
• Best when fresh. Store leftover plantains in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and reheat on the stovetop or in the oven until warmed through. Not freezer friendly.

MADUROS (FRIED SWEET PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Use a paring knife to cut a slit along the length of the plantains, carefully avoiding cutting into the flesh. Remove peels and discard. Slice plantains at an angle crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (about 12 pieces per plantain).
• In a large skillet, heat about 1/8 inch vegetable oil over medium-high. When the oil shimmers, add half the sliced plantains and fry until golden brown, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes per side. The plantains should be caramelized and slightly crisp at the edges but still tender in the middle.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer maduros to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining sliced plantains. Serve immediately.

SAUTEED SWEET PLANTAINS (TAJADITAS DULCES DE PLATANO)

Steps:

• Heat peanut oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter begins to sizzle. Gently toss plantain slices with brown sugar, then place into hot oil. Fry until the plantains begin to turn golden brown, then turn over, and continue frying until they have caramelized, about 2 minutes per side.
• Drain plantains on a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt before serving.

SWEET PLANTAINS

Steps:

• To peel the plantains, cut off ends and discard. With a paring knife, make 3 shallow slits lengthwise along the seams of the skin and peel away. Split the plantains lengthwise.
• Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet and place over medium low heat (plantains have a high sugar content and will burn if the heat is too high.)
• Fry the plantains in a single layer, until golden on the bottom then turn over with a spatula.
• Add the cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar and let cook a few more seconds, just to begin caramelizing the sugar.
• Just before serving, melt remaining tablespoon of butter to finish the sauce. Serve immediately.

SWEET PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Peel and pit the avocado and scoop the flesh into the bowl of a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients, seasoning to taste with salt, and purée until smooth. Set aside while you fry the plantains.
• In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat ⅛ inch oil to 350°F. Add the plantains and cook, flipping every 3 minutes or so, until deeply golden brown, soft, and juicy, about 12 minutes total. Remove the fried plantains to a plate lined with paper towel, and sprinkle with salt.

SWEET CAJUN PLANTAIN

Steps:

• Mix paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl. Add plantain slices to spice mixture and turn to coat.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook plantains in skillet until softened, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Pour wine into the skillet. Bring wine to a boil and simmer until wine cooks off, about 5 minutes.