Sweet Plantain Empanadas Recipes

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.

PLANTAIN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in each plantain and set it on a baking sheet. Bake until the flesh is thoroughly soft and oozing through the slit, 40 to 50 minutes, Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, make the stuffing: Finely dice the poblano chile. Combine with beans, scallions,, cheeses, and pepper in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. The stuffing can be made up to a day in advance and reserved in the refrigerator.
• Make the sough in a food processor or in a mixer with a paddle attachment: Peel, trim and discard any tough ends from the plantains. Combine the plantains, banana and salt and pulse until a smooth puree is formed, or mix until just blended. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or it will become too starchy. Wrap in plastic and chill about 2 hours.
• To assemble the empanadas, roll 2 tablespoons of the dough lightly between your palms to form a ball. Line the bottom of a tortilla press with a small plastic bag and place the ball of dough in the center. Place another small bag over the dough and press to form a 3 1/2-inch circle. (If you do not have a tortilla press, the dough can be flattened with the palm of your hand on a counter, with a sheet of plastic above and below to prevent sticking). Place about 1 teaspoon of the bean stuffing on half of the dough circle and fold over to enclose, pressing the edges to seal. Place the stuffed empanadas on a platter and chill at least 30 minutes or as long as a day. (Stuffed empanadas can also be frozen).
• To cook the empanadas, heat the peanut oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Fry 4 to 6 empanadas, at a time, shaking the pan constantly, about 1 minute per side or until dark brown all over. (If they darken too quickly, as they may if very ripe plantains were used, lower the flame slightly). Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with Crema, Creme Fraiche or sour cream for dipping.
• In large pot place beans and water and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, or until tender and creamy in center. Crush the beans in their liquid with the potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. In a large saucepan heat lard or oil over medium heat. Stir frequently, until the liquid evaporates and the beans form a creamy mass that pulls away from the bottom and sides of the pan, about 15 minutes cooking time. Serve immediately. Refried beans can be kept in the refrigerator 3 - 4 days and reheated in a covered casserole in a 350 degree oven.

SWEET PLANTAIN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Boil plantains in a large pot of water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes; drain.
• Peel plantains while still hot and mash in a bowl until smooth.
• Pour mashed plantains into a saucepan; add 1/2 cup sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Refrigerate until cooled, about 20 minutes.
• Whisk 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch together in a small bowl until smooth.
• Combine 2 cups milk, 2 tablespoon sugar, lemon zest, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until filling thickens, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Pinch off a piece of the plantain mixture and roll into a ball the size of a golf ball. Flatten into a disc and place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center; fold in half and press edges to seal into an empanada. Repeat with remaining plantain mixture and filling.
• Heat oil in a deep skillet. Fry empanadas in batches until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

PLANTAIN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Cut plantain into 3 pieces with the peel left on.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add plantain pieces and boil until peel starts to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove plantains with a slotted spoon and allow to cool until easily handled. Peel and mash plantain in a bowl.
• Separate mashed plantain into 3 equal-sized balls, each the size of a golf ball. Wrap each ball with a piece of plastic wrap and press into a 6-inch round. Unwrap and place 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese in the middle of each round. Fold over and pinch the edges together.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry stuffed plantains until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and fry on the other side until lightly browned, 2 to 3 more minutes. Drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

CANOAS (STUFFED SWEET PLANTAINS) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Make the beef filling: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and green pepper and sauté until softened and translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cilantro and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
• Add the ground beef, breaking up with a spatula to incorporate into the vegetables. Season with the adobo, garlic powder, and black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-low heat, stir in the tomato sauce, and cook until heated through, 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside until ready to use.
• Make the plantains: Trim the ends off of the plantains, then peel.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-walled skillet over medium-low heat until the temperature reaches 350°F (180°C). Working in batches if needed, add the plantains and fry, turning every 30 seconds or so, until golden brown on all sides and tender enough to be pierced with a fork, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain until cool enough to handle.
• Transfer the plantains to a cutting board. Cut a slit lengthwise down each plantain, being careful not to cut all the way through. Use 2 forks to gently pull each plantain open. Use a fork, flat-side down, to press the base of the "canoe" to widen. Transfer to a baking dish and season with salt.
• Fill each plantain with ¼-⅓ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, add about ½-¾ cup of the beef filling, then top with ¼-⅓ cup more cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and bubbly. Garnish with torn cilantro.
• Enjoy!