Plantain Chips With Warm Cilantro Dipping Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• For the dipping sauce: Add the sugar and 1/2 cup water to a medium pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a food processor combine the sambal, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, lime zest and juice, chile de arbol, garlic, Fresno chiles and ginger. Process until well chopped up. Once the sugar mixture has turned a caramel color, remove from the heat and carefully dump in the chopped aromatics; take care as the hot caramel will bubble up and steam. Stir the caramel well to mix in the aromatics, then return to the heat. Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry; stir into the sauce. Simmer until thickened to the consistency of ketchup. Cool before serving. (Makes 2 cups.)
• For the plantain chips: Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven. While the oil is heating up, trim the ends of the plantains and then slice lengthwise into thin (about 1/16-inch thick) planks using a mandoline. In small batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the plantain planks until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Gently move the plantains around in the oil as they fry--this helps them crisp up. Drain on paper towels or a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Sprinkle the chips immediately with the salt and smoked paprika. Serve with the sweet chile dipping sauce.

Steps:

• Preheat 1-inch of oil in a deep sided skillet over medium-high heat to 360 degrees F.
• Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice plantains into 1/8-inch thick ovals on the diagonal. Carefully add plantains to the oil in batches and fry until a tap with a metal spoon sounds hollow, about 1 minute. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle lightly with lime zest, lime juice and salt. Transfer to a serving plate and serve.

Steps:

• Make the mango hot sauce: Heat the oil in a medium pan over low heat. Add the shallots, chiles, garlic, turmeric, and mango and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until the aromatics start to soften. Add the salt, vinegar, and ½ cup water. Stir to combine, then cover and simmer until the aromatics are completely softened and the liquid thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the orange juice and season with more salt to taste. Transfer the hot sauce to a resealable glass jar and refrigerate until ready to use. (The hot sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks.)
• Make the lime sour cream: In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, lime zest and juice, and salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Make the plantains: Fill a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot about two-thirds of the way with vegetable oil. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 375°F.
• With a very sharp knife, peel the plantains, then slice lengthwise about ⅛ inch thick. Working in batches, fry the plantains in the hot oil, flipping occasionally, until golden brown on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve the fried plantains with the mango hot sauce and lime sour cream for dipping.