Turkey Picadillo Stuffed Sweet Plantains Food

TURKEY PICADILLO STUFFED SWEET PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
• Cut a slit lengthwise through the length of the plantain about halfway through. Place them on a baking dish and bake covered with foil until soft, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, brown the ground turkey on medium heat in large sauté pan and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat up into small pieces.
• Add the chopped onions, garlic, pepper, tomato and cilantro and continue cooking on a low heat.
• Add alcaparrado (or olives and capers) and about 2 tbsp of the brine (this adds great flavor) cumin, oregano, bay leaves, and more salt if needed.
• Add tomato sauce and 1/4 cup of water and mix well.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer covered about 15 minutes.
• Remove the plantains from the oven and fill them with 1/3 cup each of picadillo, then top each with 2 tbsp cheese.
• Return to the oven and bake until melted, about 5 minutes. Top with cilantro and serve immediately.

PLANTAINS STUFFED WITH PICADILLO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
• Cut off both ends of each plantain, then remove and discard the peels. Place the plantains on the baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake the plantains for 15 minutes, then turn them over and bake until the plantains are lightly golden brown and tender, an additional 15 minutes. Allow to rest at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, clip a deep-frying thermometer onto a large, heavy-bottomed skillet. Heat 1 1/2 inches (about 2 1/2 cups) vegetable oil to 375 degrees F.
• Fry the plantains in batches until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to cool.
• Heat the remaining 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, then stir and cook another 2 minutes. Add the ground beef, olives, poblano chile and some salt and cook, breaking up the meat, until the meat is entirely browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes with the reserved juices, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and some salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Fold in half the Cotija, then stir to melt and set aside.
• Cut a slit in each of the plantains running the long way. Divide the picadillo chili among the plantains. Sprinkle the tops with remaining Cotija. Garnish with the cilantro and serve.

TURKEY PICADILLO II

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground turkey. Cook and stir until the turkey is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Remove the turkey and drain and discard any excess grease.
• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, and bay leaves; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked turkey, wine, tomato sauce, olives, raisins, black beans, olive brine, capers, cayenne, and cumin. Simmer about 15 minutes.