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.
๐ Ingredients:
For the Ground Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef ๐
- 1 small onion, finely chopped ๐ง
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ๐ง
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1 teaspoon cumin ๐ฟ
- 1 teaspoon paprika ๐ฟ
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano ๐ฟ
- Salt and pepper to taste ๐ง
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce ๐
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional) ๐ฟ
For the Plantains:
- 2-3 ripe plantains (the blacker, the sweeter) ๐
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ๐ข๏ธ
- Salt to taste ๐ง
๐ Instructions:
1. Cook the Ground Beef:
- Sautรฉ the vegetables:
- In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sautรฉ for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- 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.
- 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:
- Prepare the plantains:
- Peel the plantains and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
- 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.
- Season:
- Remove the plantains from the skillet and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Lightly sprinkle with salt.
3. Serve:
- 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.
- Enjoy:
- Garnish with extra cilantro and serve hot.
โฑ๏ธ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
โฑ๏ธ Cooking Time: 20 minutes
โฑ๏ธ Total Time: 30 minutes
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings: 4 servings
๐ฅ 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! ๐๐