Advertisement

Smashed Plantains With Beans and Rice

8

  • Prep Time15 mins
  • Total Time40 mins
  • Makes4 servings
Smashed Plantains With Beans and Rice

(Photo: Erik Putz; Food styling by Ashley Denton; Prop styling by Madeleine Johari)

Golden, crispy plantains are the centre piece of this dish. Try it with hot sauce for the perfect kick.

Ingredients

  • 1 400-mL can coconut milk, divided

  • 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth, divided

  • 1 cup basmati rice

  • 11 tsp canola oil, divided

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 tbsp Jerk-Inspired Spice Blend, (see Kitchen tips for recipe)

  • 1 540-mL can black beans, undrained

  • 2 tsp soy sauce

  • 1 tsp hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional)

  • 1 tbsp lime juice

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

  • 2 ripe plantains, cut in 1-in. rounds

  • 1/4 tsp salt, divided

Instructions

  • Combine 1 1/4 cups coconut milk and 3/4 cup broth in a medium saucepan set over high. Bring to a boil, and then add rice. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until all liquid has been absorbed, 18 to 20 min.

  • Meanwhile, heat a small saucepan over medium-high. Add 1 tsp oil, and then onion. Cook until softened, about 3 min. Stir in garlic and spice blend, for 30 sec. Add beans with liquid, soy sauce, hot sauce and remaining 1/2 cup broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed but beans are still saucy, about 8 min. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice. Set aside.

  • Remove rice from heat and stir in remaining coconut milk and cilantro. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

  • Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium. Add 2 tsp oil, and then half of the plantains. Cook until golden brown, about 2 min per side. Then press down on each plantain with the bottom of a glass until flattened. Add 3 tsp oil to pan and continue cooking until crisp, about 1 min per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and sprinkle with ⅛ tsp salt. Repeat with remaining plantains, oil and salt.

  • Serve plantains alongside rice and beans. Garnish with more cilantro, if desired.


Kitchen tip

Get the Jerk-Inspired Spice Blend recipe.

Kitchen tip

Ripe plantains usually have completely black skins, with deep-yellow insides. They’re sweetest and perfect for frying at this stage.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement