Plantain Two Ways

Plantain plantain plantain !!! I have not met anyone who doesn’t love to eat plantains. Here in Trinidad we eat it as a main dish , side dish, anytime and anywhere. We just love it . I decided to make plantain two ways. One is fried and the other is baked. The first one is stuffed with a delicious black bean stuffing. It’s a great alternative for vegetarians! The next option is my all time favourite way to enjoy plantain. Growing up my Aunty Jenny would fry some up for my siblings and I and we would grab them all up. It was so delightful ! Cinnamon and sugar has always been a great combination but when fried the sugar creates this crunchy exterior and the plantain is so soft and tender it’s a perfect match. Trust me when you try this it too will become your new favourite way to have plantains. Enjoy !!

Ingredients

• 4 Plantains
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Red sweet pepper
• 1/2 Green Sweet pepper
• 1/2 Onion
• 1 medium Tomato
• 3 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Chive leaf
• 1 Chadon Beni leaf
• 1 Celery stalk
• 1 Can Cuisine Black Beans
• Salt – to taste
• Black pepper – to taste
• 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 Cup Cuisine brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Cinnamon
• 3 Cups Cuisine vegetable oil

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a baking tray with cooking oil.
• Peel the plantain and  slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain.Note ( See video on this method )
• Place plantains on the tray and bake for 30-45 minutes until golden brown and tender
• Cut all the vegetables into small dice and strain the black beans.
• Place a pan on medium heat and add the oil.
• Add the onions,garlic and allow to cook for 2 minutes. Next add the remaining vegetables and black beans.
• Cook for another 5 minutes and add salt and black pepper to taste.Take off the heat.
• Stuff the plantain with the black bean mixture and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top. Place in the oven for 5 minutes. Then remove and place to cool.
• To make the cinnamon sugar plantain mix the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl until well combined.
• Heat the oil in a deep pot on medium heat.
• Cut the plantains at a 35 degree angle. Note ( see video on this technique)
• Coat the plantain in the sugar mixture.
• Place the plantains into the oil until golden brown. Note ( make sure to not crowd the pot to ensure everything is cooked evenly)
• Serve warm and enjoy !