Smashed Plantains Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the plantains and boil until fork-tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the plantains, reserving ½ cup (125 mL) of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, place the red onion in a small bowl and cover with the vinegar.
• Transfer the plantains to a medium bowl and add the reserved cooking water, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mash the plantains to the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• In a medium frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Drain the red onions and discard the vinegar. Add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• In the same pan (no need to wipe clean), heat the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil over medium heat. Carefully crack the eggs into the pan, leaving space between each egg. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the whites are cooked and no longer translucent and the yolks are still runny. (I prefer the eggs over easy for this dish.)
• To serve, divide the mashed plantain between plates and top with a fried egg, cooked onions, and a few slices of avocado. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle plantains with salt and cayenne; drizzle with oil to coat. Arrange, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until cut sides of plantains begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes. Turn plantains; roast 10 minutes more.
• Mash hot plantains on baking sheet with a potato masher until somewhat smooth (some large chunks should remain). Transfer to a serving bowl, and drizzle with lime juice.

Steps:

• In large skillet, heat oil on high. Lightly smash the slices of plantains using a large, flat meat tenderizer or a heavy-bottomed pot.
• Dredge plantain slices in flour very lightly. Fry for 2 minutes per side or until golden.
• Transfer to tray lined with paper towel to drain. Season the smashed plantains with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• In a heavy pot, add enough oil to fill halfway. Heat until a deep-frying thermometer reads 350 degrees F or the handle of a wooden spoon begins to sizzle immediately when dipped in the oil.
• Add the plantains and fry until bright yellow and slightly golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon to a sheet of parchment paper. Make sure all pieces are standing tall on the cut side, then place another sheet over the top. Using a small plate, glass or other flat item smash each piece into a 1/4-inch jagged circle.
• Place the plantain discs back in the oil and fry for 4 to 6 more minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove to a wire rack and sprinkle with salt.

Steps:

• Mix handful of salt into a bowl of cold water and soak plantain chunks. Place stock in saucepan over low heat to warm. Bring at least 1 inch of oil to about 350 F degrees in a deep skillet.
• Meanwhile, cook chicharrones or bacon until crisp; remove from heat and drain. Remove plantains from water, drain and dry them on towels, then deep fry the pieces (careful, they may spatter) until golden brown and tender. Remove from oil. Flatten the plantains using the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass bottle or a tostonera if you have one. Fry the plantains again for 30 seconds on each side until slightly crispy.
• While the plantains are still hot use a wooden mortar and pestle to mash them with the garlic and the chicharrones. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• You can also use a food processor - add the plantains to food processor with bacon, garlic and some salt and pepper. You may have to work in batches. Process to consistency of mashed - not whipped - potatoes. Do not over process!
• Place the mixture in soup bowls or wooden pilons, douse with broth, garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Heat 1 inch oil in deep 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until oil starts to shimmer (about 350°F). Add plantain slices; cook until golden brown and tender. Remove from oil.
• Flatten the plantains using the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass bottle or a tostonera, if you have one. Return flattened plantains to skillet; cook for 30 seconds on each side or until slightly crisp. Remove from skillet; place in large bowl. Cool slightly.
• Place plaintains, garlic and 1 cup of the broth in food processor. Process until mixture has the consistency of chunky mashed potatoes, adding broth 1/4 cup at a time. Add salt and pepper; process until mixed.
• Spoon into serving bowl; garnish with cilantro. Serve immediately.