Pastelón de Plátano Maduro

Pastelón de Plátano Maduro is a beloved Dominican dish, often considered a flavorful fusion of sweet and savory. This casserole layers ripe plantains with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, showcasing the complexity and richness of Dominican cuisine. Whether for a family gathering or a festive occasion, this hearty meal is sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

🍌 6 ripe plantains
🥩 1 lb ground beef
🧈 2 tablespoons Dorina butter
🍬 2 tablespoons sugar
🫑 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
🌶️ 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
🌿 2 tablespoons homemade blended seasoning (recipe by Yolanda available on her channel)
🧄 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic
🌿 1/4 teaspoon oregano
🧅 1/2 small onion, diced
🍅 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt for plantain water, 1/2 teaspoon salt for ground beef seasoning
🥛 1/4 cup milk
🫒 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil
🧀 Generous amount of grated cheese for topping

Instructions

1- Season the Ground Beef:

• In a large glass mixing bowl, combine 1 lb of ground beef with 2 tablespoons of homemade blended seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon and allow to marinate.

2- Prepare and Boil Plantains:

• Peel the 6 ripe plantains and cut them into 2-3 pieces each.
• Place them in a large pot filled with water, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Cover and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes and then remove using a slotted spoon. Place in a separate bowl for mashing.

3- Cook the Ground Beef:

• Heat a frying pan over medium-high with 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil.
• Add the seasoned beef and break it up with a wooden spoon or potato masher for a fine, crumbly texture.

4- Chop Vegetables:

• While the beef cooks, dice 1/2 of the red and green bell peppers and 1/2 small onion.

5- Finish Meat Mixture:

• Once beef is browned, add the peppers and onion. Stir well.
• Mix in 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and simmer until vegetables soften and the sauce reduces. Adjust salt to taste, then remove from heat.

6- Mash Plantains:

• Mash the plantains in a bowl until smooth.
• Add 2 tablespoons Dorina butter and approximately 1/4 cup milk, adjusting for consistency. Mash until creamy.

7- Preheat Oven:

• Preheat oven to max temperature (200-220°C / 400-425°F).

8- Assemble the Pastelón:

• Grease an aluminum baking tray with butter.
• Spread half the mashed plantains as the base layer.

9- Add Meat Layer:

• Evenly spread the cooked beef mixture over the plantain layer.

10- Add Second Plantain Layer:
- Spread the remaining mashed plantains over the meat, ensuring even coverage.

11- Add Cheese Topping:
- Generously sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the plantains.

12- Bake:
- Place in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly.

13- Serve:
- Allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.

Prep Time: 45-60 minutes
Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
Total Time: 65-90 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Equipment: Frigidaire Gas Stove with Oven, Tramontina Knife, wooden spoon, large glass mixing bowl, large pot, frying pan, slotted spoon, potato masher, aluminum baking tray

Cooking Tips

• Use a homemade sazon licuado for an authentic flavor.
• Break up the ground beef into small pieces for a uniformly textured filling.
• Adjust the milk quantity based on the softness of the plantains for optimal creaminess.
• Ensure the baking tray is well-greased to prevent sticking.

#dominican #pastelón #casserole #plaintains #comfortfood

YouTube channel - Cocinando con Yolanda: https://www.youtube.com/@CocinandoconYolanda

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Pastelón de Plátano Maduro