Mofongo Stuffing Recipe 435

Steps:

• Trim both ends of the plantains. Cut a slit through the skin down the length of the plantains. Cut each plantain in half crosswise and place in a bowl of cold water. Set aside to soak for 30 minutes (this will make the plantains easier to peel).
• While the plantains soak, make the sofrito: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño, cubanelle peppers, and garlic. Pulse 15-20 times, until the vegetables are completely broken down and the sofrito has the consistency of chunky salsa. Set aside.
• In a large, high-walled skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350˚F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set nearby.
• After soaking, peel the plantains and cut into 1-1 ½-inch ( 2 ½ cm) pieces. Blot dry with paper towels.
• Working in batches, fry the plantains in the hot oil for 7 minutes, until crisp and beginning to brown. Transfer the plantains to the prepared baking sheet to drain.
• Working in batches, add 1-2 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and about ½ teaspoon of salt to a large mortar. Using the pestle, mash the garlic until it breaks down into a paste. Add about 7-8 fried plantain pieces, then use the pestle to mash the plantains and combine with the garlic paste. Add about 1½ tablespoons of bacon, along with some of the reserved bacon grease, and mash into the plantains. 7. Add about ½ cup (15 G) of the chicharrones and break up until evenly distributed throughout the mofongo. Transfer the mofongo to a large bowl and repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190°C).
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the longaniza sausage to the hot pan and cook until the fat has rendered and the sausage is browned, 8-10 minutes.
• Add the cooked sausage, along with the rendered fat, sofrito, torn bread, and chicken stock to the bowl with the mofongo. Stir well to combine, making sure all of the bread is moistened.
• Transfer the mofongo stuffing to a lightly greased 9x13-inch (22 x 33 cm) baking dish and cover with foil.
• Bake the stuffing for 30 minutes.
• Remove the stuffing from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
• Top the stuffing with the remaining chicharrones and bake, uncovered for another 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and beginning to crisp.
• Remove the stuffing from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil. Heat to 350 degrees, using a hot-oil thermometer to monitor temperature. Working in, fry plantains, rotating , until golden, 6-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer a paper towel-lined plate. Use a large mortar and pestle or a fork to smash plantains, cracklings and garlic until somewhat smooth. Mash in cilantro and salt to taste. 15 minutes before turkey has finished cooking, fill inner cavity with mofongo stuffing and a ladleful of pan juices. Once turkey and stuffing are done cooking, transfer stuffing to a serving dish. Serve with: Pavochón Avocado & Papaya Salad

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cubanelle, ají dulce and ají caballero peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and cilantro and cook 1 minute. Add 1 cup water and the butter and let mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Carefully transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and purée until smooth.
• Fill a large heavy-bottom pot with about 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil and set over medium-high heat. Working in batches, deep-fry plantains until tender, about 3 minutes per batch; drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Combine plantains, vegetable purée and pork rinds in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a small baking dish and bake until top is just starting to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Prepare the guiso, if using: Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until simmering. Add sofrito, reduce heat to medium-low and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until liquid is evaporated.
• Pour in tomato sauce, partially cover with a lid, and simmer over low for 7 to 10 minutes. Sauce will thicken and darken in color.
• While sauce simmers, prepare the mofongo: Pour vegetable oil into a medium saucepan until it reaches a 3-inch depth, then heat over medium-high.
• Meanwhile, crush garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a pilón or large mortar and pestle until a wet paste forms.
• In a separate, small saucepan, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium until just simmering, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour this hot oil on top of the garlic, carefully stirring to incorporate. It'll sizzle, and the garlic may turn light green. Add lime juice to complete the mojo.
• Peel plantains by cutting off both ends, then make three lengthwise slices through the skin. Carefully pull up the peel and remove it, starting at one of the corners with the edge of your fingernail or the tip of your knife if tough, then cut the plantains into 1 1/2-inch rounds. (Be careful: Plantain skins will stain your hands and clothing.)
• Once the vegetable oil is simmering somewhere between 350 and 375 degrees - you can test by adding a small piece of plantain; it will sizzle when the oil is hot enough - add plantains in 2 or 3 batches, taking care not to crown the pot. Fry each batch for 6 to 9 minutes, stirring lightly a few times, until the plantains begin to brown. Be careful not to let them get too dark, or they'll be hard and dry. Use a slotted spoon or mesh strainer to transfer plantains to a towel-lined bowl.
• If you have a large enough pilón, add fried plantains and chicharrón, if using, until pilón is three-quarters full. Mash together, alternating pounding and grinding. Once mixture has condensed to about half its original size, add 1 heaping tablespoon of the prepared mojo (or to taste), and continue grinding and mashing until fully combined. The mixture will look like stuffing.
• If you don't have a pilón, combine plantains, chicharrón and mojo in a large wooden bowl. Using the bottom of a slender jar, such as an olive jar, mash together to incorporate, rotating the bowl after each mash. Pound, grind and mash until mofongo is blended.
• Form the mashed mixture into 4 individual mofongos, each roughly the size of a baseball, or press into the bottom of a small rice bowl, then turn each onto a plate or into a larger bowl.
• Serve immediately, garnished with extra chicharrón, lime wedges and cilantro, if you like. Spoon over guiso as desired.

Steps:

• Heat canola oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mash the garlic with the olive oil in a mortar and pestle. Combine garlic mixture with the pork rinds in a large bowl; set aside.
• Fry the plantain chunks until golden and crispy, but not brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer the fried plantains into the bowl with the garlic mixture. Toss to coat. Mash the coated plantains with the mortar and pestle until smooth. Season with salt. Roll the plantain mixture into two large balls or several small balls before serving.