Cheese Filled Green Plantains Recipes

Steps:

• Cut plantain into 3 pieces, keeping the peel on.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and boil plantain until peel starts to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool until easily handled. Peel and mash plantain. Separate into 3 equal-sized golf balls. Place each ball into a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 6-inch round. Place 1 1/2 tablespoon Cheddar cheese into each round, fold over, and pinch edges together.
• Heat oil in a medium size skillet on medium-high heat. Pan-fry stuffed plantains until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip plantains and fry for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

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.

Steps:

• Peel the plantains. Slice each one lengthwise into 4 equal slices.
• In a frying pan, lightly fry the slices on each side until slices are pliable, not brittle.
• Remove the slices and drain on paper towels until cool enough to handle.
• Form each slice into a ring, with ends overlapping about an inch. Secure with toothpicks.
• Stuff each ring with cheddar cheese. Squeeze the cheese together slightly so that it will not fall apart.
• In a bowl, mix together the eggs, salt, flour and water.
• Cover the open ends of the piononos with the flour and egg mix.
• Fry the piononos on each end until it is sealed and golden.

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!