Pastelon de Platanos Maduros

I made this last night and thought I'd share. :)

I will first say that it took a long time to convice my husband this dish would be something he would like. See, he has this rule that "I don't mix fruit with my meat." You know, like pork with apples and raisins? (although I can't say I blame him there.)

Pastelon is a Puerto Rican dish first recommended to me by one of my students, who is originally from Puerto Rico. Picture a lasanga, but instead of noodles for the separating layers, you use plantains.

It's SO good! Even my husband, with his rule against fruit and meat, loved it. And so did my three year old...but I think she likes saying it more than anything, hehe.

There are many variations, but this is how I prepare it. Plus, a lot of the common additions to Pastelon - like capers, olives or raisins - sweet husband would never touch.

Ingredients:

Lean Ground Beef - about two pounds
White Onion - half a large onion, diced
Sofrito - can make your own or use Goya Sofrito
Plain Tomato Sauce- 1/4 c.
Goya Sazon - with cilantro and annato
Garlic - two cloves, minced
Olive or Veg. Oil
Eggs - two
Plantains - four-six ripe ones (you should see lots of black...black=sweet)
Cheese - optional (I've used cheddar and oaxaca)

1. Heat dash of oil, sofrito, Sazon, onion and garlic on medium heat until well sauteed.

2. Add ground beef and tomato sauce and stir until well cooked, but not dry. Drain any grease. Make sure ground beef is well ground, if that makes sense. No big pieces. I add the optional cheese to cooked beef (I use about 4-6 oz. cheddar or oaxaca.) We like the flavor, but it also helps to bind the meat together.

3. Peel and slice plantains lengthwise. If the plantains are large, you'll probably get about three-four lengths per plantain. Saute plantain slices in medium-hot oil for a few mintues, flipping halfway through cooking. Set slices on metal rack to cool, and allow the oil to drip off. Pat dry.

4. Layer plantains along bottom of greased 9x9 pan. Pour two eggs, beaten, over bottom layer. Top with ground beef layer. Repeat plantain and beef layers, making sure the plantain layer is the top.

5. Optional cheese layer on top.

6. Cook in 350 oven for about 35 minutes, making sure eggs are cooked and not watery.

So normally I would have lots of pictures for you of the cooking, assembly, etc. But the batteries on my external flash died.

You only get one picture...and I'm almost too ashamed to post it. But I can't blog about food and not post at least one picture, right?