Chiktay Aranso Stuffed Plantain Cups Recipes

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.

AVOCADO PLANTAIN CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚. Generously brush a 24-cup mini-muffin pan (preferably nonstick) with olive oil. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the plantains and cook until very tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
• Using your fingers, press a plantain chunk in the bottom and up the sides of each muffin cup to form a crust. Bake until browned around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then remove from the pan.
• Meanwhile, combine the avocado, tomato, bell pepper, red onion, serrano, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Toss gently, then divide among the plantain cups.

PLANTAIN CUPS (TOSTONE CUPS)

Steps:

• Fill large bowl with warm salted water to cover the plantains. Peel green plantain and cut into 2 inch pieces. Put the cut plantains into the water and soak.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees F.
• Remove plantains from water, shake off excess water and fry the plantain pieces for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the plantains and let cool for a couple of minutes.
• Using the Rivera Tostonera designed to make cups put fried plantains lengthwise into mold. If you don't have a Tostonera maker take 2 mini muffin pans and put fried plantains in the mold of 1 pan lengthwise and with the other muffin pan press down firmly to form a cup.
• Carefully remove the cup and re-fry the plantain cup in the hot oil until golden brown.
• Remove the cups and drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
• Serve warm.

STUFFED PLANTAINS WITH PORK AND CHIPOTLE HONEY OIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• In a small bowl mix adobo, Sazon, and pepper and set aside.
• Using a paring knife, make 10 to 12 slits in the pork shoulder. Then peel back fat cap but leave attached. Lift fat cap and make slits under cap. Pull cap back down and score top skin with knife. Insert smashed garlic in slits. Rub the pork with the adobo mixture, wrap in aluminum foil and place in a roasting pan. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for 5 hours.
• Raise the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Remove the aluminum foil and continue roasting for 30 minutes (or desired crispness on skin). Remove pork shoulder from oven and allow to rest for 20 minutes on a chopping board. Pull approximately 2 pounds of pork from the shoulder and chop into small to medium size pieces.
• In a medium bowl, mix chopped pork and the scallions. Set pork and scallion mixture aside. Remove peel from the plantains but do not detach peel. Split plantain down middle making 2 slices so you can remove middle (make canoe), set cut piece aside. Take 1/2 cup of pork and scallion mixture and stuff plantains. Place cut piece of plantain back on top and pull up peel. Lightly oil the peel and wrap in aluminum foil. Repeat with remaining plantains and stuffing mixture. Grill,or bake for approximately 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Remove plantains from grill or oven and remove foil and peel. Place plantains on a serving platter. In a small bowl, mix chopped chipotle, honey and olive oil. Drizzle over the plantains and serve.

STUFFED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• For the plantains: Pour the water into a medium pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
• Peel the plantains and cut in half horizontally, then cut each half down the middle vertically. Put the plantains into the pot and boil until soft, 7 to 10 minutes.
• For the beans: Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the onions, peppers and tomatoes until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the kidney beans to the skillet with the garlic powder, salt, pepper and oregano. Cook the beans for 5 to 7 minutes, then add the coconut-based mozzarella and cheddar to the skillet and mix until the cheese is fully mixed in with the beans.
• Strain the boiled plantains and put 4 pieces on each plate. Scoop the cooked beans and cheese onto the plantains.