EASY TO COOK

🍽️ Plantains and Ground Beef Recipe 🍌🍖

by

This delicious dish combines the sweetness of ripe plantains with the savory flavors of spiced ground beef. It’s a satisfying, comforting meal that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish.

📋 Ingredients:

For the Ground Beef:

  • 1 lb ground beef 🍖
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped 🧅
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
  • 1 bell pepper, finely chopped 🌶️
  • 1 teaspoon cumin 🌿
  • 1 teaspoon paprika 🌿
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano 🌿
  • Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce 🍅
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional) 🌿

For the Plantains:

  • 2-3 ripe plantains (the blacker, the sweeter) 🍌
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 🛢️
  • Salt to taste 🧂

📝 Instructions:

1. Cook the Ground Beef:

  1. Sauté the vegetables:
  • In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  1. Cook the beef:
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 7-8 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  1. Season the beef:
  • Add cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir in the tomato sauce and let the beef simmer for another 5 minutes until well combined. Stir in cilantro (optional) and remove from heat.

2. Fry the Plantains:

  1. Prepare the plantains:
  • Peel the plantains and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
  1. Fry the plantains:
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the plantain slices and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and caramelized.
  1. Season:
  • Remove the plantains from the skillet and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Lightly sprinkle with salt.

3. Serve:

  1. Assemble the dish:
  • Serve the ground beef with a side of fried plantains, or for a creative twist, layer the beef over the plantains like a casserole.
  1. Enjoy:
  • Garnish with extra cilantro and serve hot.

⏱️ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time: 20 minutes
⏱️ Total Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4 servings
🔥 Calories: Approximately 400-450 kcal per serving

This Plantains and Ground Beef recipe combines sweet, crispy plantains with savory spiced beef for a perfect balance of flavors. A satisfying and flavorful dish that’s great for any occasion! 🍌🍖