Platanos Recipes

TOSTONES (FRIED PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Place a few plantain slices in the oil, and cook until lightly golden in color, about three minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining slices.
• While the plantain slices are still warm, place them one at a time between two sheets of wax paper, and flatten by hand to 1/4 inch thick. Return flattened slices to the skillet, and continue frying until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and season with salt and garlic powder.

PLATANOS MADUROS

Steps:

• Cut ends from plantains and peel fruit. Diagonally cut plantains into 1/2-inch-thick slices. In a large nonstick skillet heat 1/3 cup oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté plantains in batches, without crowding, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes on each side, adding more oil to skillet as necessary. With a spatula transfer plantains as sautéed to paper towels to drain and season with salt if desired.
• Serve plantains immediately.

PLATANOS FRITOS (SAUTEED PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Peel plantains; cut each into thirds crosswise. Cut each piece into 4 (2-inch) lengthwise slices.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add plantains to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Transfer plantains to a plate; sprinkle with salt.

PLATANOS VERDES (FRIED GREEN PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• In a large, deep skillet or wok, heat the oil (about a depth of 1 inch) to 350 degrees.
• Sprinkle the plantain slices with lime juice and place them in the hot oil. Fry until the plantains are golden and slightly soft, but not brown (lower heat if necessary), about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep the oil hot.
• Place the rounds between brown paper and flatten slightly, using a rolling pin or the heel of your hand. Dip the pressed rounds in a bowl of lightly salted water and return them to the skillet. Fry until deep golden, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and serve.

DULCE DE PLATANOS

Steps:

• Cut ends from plantains and peel fruit. Diagonally cut plantains into 1/2-inch-thick slices. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook plantains until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. With a slotted spatula transfer plantains to a plate, reserving butter in skillet.
• In a very small saucepan heat rum and coconut milk until warm. Add sugar to reserved butter and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and carefully whisk in warm coconut milk mixture (mixture will vigorously steam and caramel will harden). Cook mixture over low heat, whisking, until caramel is dissolved. Add plantains and cook, without stirring, until heated through and tender, about 5 minutes. In very small saucepan heat cream until warm and pour over plantains. Gently shake skillet to incorporate cream into sauce.
• Cool plantains slightly and serve over ice cream.