๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Plantains and Ground Beef Recipe ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ–

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.

๐Ÿ“‹ Ingredients:

For the Ground Beef:

  • 1 lb ground beef ๐Ÿ–
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped ๐Ÿง…
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced ๐Ÿง„
  • 1 bell pepper, finely chopped ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ๐ŸŒฟ
  • 1 teaspoon paprika ๐ŸŒฟ
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano ๐ŸŒฟ
  • Salt and pepper to taste ๐Ÿง‚
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce ๐Ÿ…
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional) ๐ŸŒฟ

For the Plantains:

  • 2-3 ripe plantains (the blacker, the sweeter) ๐ŸŒ
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Salt to taste ๐Ÿง‚

๐Ÿ“ Instructions:

1. Cook the Ground Beef:

  1. 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.
  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.

โฑ๏ธ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
โฑ๏ธ Cooking Time: 20 minutes
โฑ๏ธ Total Time: 30 minutes
๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Servings: 4 servings
๐Ÿ”ฅ 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ–