Sweet Potato And Roasted Plantain Soup With Fried Plantain And Smoked Chile Crema Recipes

Steps:

• Use a paring knife to cut a slit along the length of the plantains, carefully avoiding cutting into the flesh. Remove peels and discard. Slice plantains at an angle crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (about 12 pieces per plantain).
• In a large skillet, heat about 1/8 inch vegetable oil over medium-high. When the oil shimmers, add half the sliced plantains and fry until golden brown, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes per side. The plantains should be caramelized and slightly crisp at the edges but still tender in the middle.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer maduros to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining sliced plantains. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic.
• Cook, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes, or until onions are soft but not brown.
• Add 4 cups of chicken stock/broth and bring to boil over high heat.
• Add plantains, most of the cilantro (reserve a few tablespoons for garnish), cumin, and bay leaf.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Return to boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered for 40-50 minutes or until plantains very tender.
• Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Transfer half the soup to blender; puree until smooth.
• Return to the pan.
• If soup is too thick, add a little more stock/broth.
• Season with more salt/cumin if desired.