Jamon Jibarito Recipe 45

JIBARITO

Steps:

• Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Place plantain halves in the oil and cook 1 to 2 minutes, until they float. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
• Place plantain halves between 2 cutting boards. Press to flatten. Place the flattened plantains back in the oil and cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic, skirt steak, onion, cumin and oregano. Cook, stirring frequently, until steak is cooked through.
• To serve, spread mayonnaise on one of the plantain slices. Top with cheese, steak and onion mixture, lettuce, and tomato. Place the other plantain half on top to form a sandwich. Cut in half and serve!

JAMON JIBARITO RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Fry 4 pieces of plantains until they float to the surface, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and repeat with the remaining 4 pieces. Using 2 wooden cutting boards or a heavy pan, flatten each piece of plantain. Refry each piece of flattened plantain, in batches, until golden, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and a little granulated garlic. Set aside on a paper towel. For the sandwich build: On the bottom of 4 fried plantains (or tostones), place a slice of American cheese, a quarter of the ham, a quarter of the tomatoes and 1 lettuce leaf. Spread the Garlic Mayo on the top tostones and close. Cut in half on the bias. Pick up gently but bite aggressively. Garlic Mayo: In a bowl, mix together the mayo, chili powder, cumin, garlic and a little salt and pepper to taste.

VEGETARIAN JAMON JIBARITOS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Fry 4 pieces of plantains until they float to the surface, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and repeat with the remaining 4 pieces. Using 2 wooden cutting boards or a heavy pan, flatten each piece of plantain. Refry each piece of flattened plantain, in batches, until golden, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and a little granulated garlic. Set aside on a paper towel.
• For the sandwich build: On the bottom of 4 fried plantains (or tostones), place a slice of American cheese, a quarter of the vegetarian ham or sausage, a quarter of the tomatoes and 1 lettuce leaf. Spread the Garlic Mayo on the top tostones and close. Cut in half on the bias. Pick up gently but bite aggressively.
• Garlic Mayo:
• In a bowl, mix together the mayo, chili powder, cumin, garlic and a little salt and pepper to taste.
• Enjoy!

JACK & GUAC JIBARITO

Steps:

• Mix avocado, mayo and garlic until blended.
• Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add plantains; cook 3 min. on each side or until tender and lightly browned on both sides. Use slotted spoon to remove plaintains from skillet; drain on paper towels. Flatten plantains with back of spatula to 1/4-inch thickness; return to skillet. Cook 1 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides. Remove from skillet; drain on paper towels.
• Spread avocado mixture onto 4 plantain slices; top with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, cheese and remaining plantain slices.

JIBARITO

Steps:

• Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Place plantain halves in the oil and cook 1 to 2 minutes, until they float. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
• Place plantain halves between 2 cutting boards. Press to flatten. Place the flattened plantains back in the oil and cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic, skirt steak, onion, cumin and oregano. Cook, stirring frequently, until steak is cooked through.
• To serve, spread mayonnaise on one of the plantain slices. Top with cheese, steak and onion mixture, lettuce, and tomato. Place the other plantain half on top to form a sandwich. Cut in half and serve!

BORINQUEN JIBARITO SANDWICH

Steps:

• (Also, you will need 2 heavy cutting boards - rectangular ones work better with the shape of the plantain).
• Heat oil, then fry the peeled and sliced plantain for 1 minute.
• Remove plantain from oil, place on a heavy cutting board (if wooden, wrap board in plastic first, which will assist in the spreading of the softened plantain), top with another cutting board, and flatten the plantain between them.
• Fry the now-flattened plantain in the oil again, until outside is golden and crispy; remove from oil, set aside on paper towels to blot oil, and keep warm.
• Over medium high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter and olive oil together, then sauté the onions until just becoming soft.
• Add the garlic, cumin, and cayenne (to taste), stir well, then add the meat slices and sauté until browned; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spread mayonnaise on bottom slice of flattened fried plantain, lay down 2 slices of American cheese, then the meat and onions. Top with lettuce and thinly sliced tomato (or roasted red pepper), then the remaining plantain top.
• Combine 1 teaspoon melted butter with 1/4 teaspoon roasted minced garlic, then brush the top plantain slice with the butter garlic mixture.
• Repeat steps to make another sandwich.
• Serve completed sandwiches with Arroz Con Gandules (Yellow Rice With Pigeon Peas).
• Jibaritos can also made with other combinations of roast pork, white or dark chicken meat, vegetables or ham - don't be afraid to experiment.
• I've made the sandwich using chicken and substituting roasted red pepper for the tomato, and the taste was phenominal!