Summer food should feature bright, bold flavors, capitalizing on the incredible bounty of produce available this time of year.
Summer food should not be over-thought.
It should be light, so as not to weigh you down in the heat. It should feature bright, bold flavors, capitalizing on the incredible bounty of produce available this time of year. It should be portable and picnic-friendly. And, most importantly, it should come together quickly, so that you have more time to spend enjoying it with the people you love.
This recipe fulfills all of the above. Ripe plantains get coated with an addictive yet utterly simple spice mixture of Ancho chile powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper (which, by the way, is also the contents of those stupid packets of taco meat seasoning, so go ahead and stop buying those and make your own for a lot less money instead).
When buying plantains, it's important to look for ones that look like a nearly-rotten banana. Pure yellow or green plantains will be too hard to work with. Using very ripe plantains will ensure that they are sweet enough to counterbalance the smoky spices and onion. That said, do keep an eye on them while they cook. It's fine for them to be soft, but you don't want them to turn to mush in the pan.
These are great on their own, but if you want to round them out into a fuller meal, add black beans and perhaps a crunchy slaw.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Ancho chile powder $1.50 for 1 oz.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin $1.50 for 1 oz.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Pantry
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper Pantry
- 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced on the bias, into 1/2-inch thick pieces $1.50
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Pantry
- 8 6-inch corn tortillas $2 for 12
- 1/4 red onion, chopped finely $0.50 for a whole onion
- 1 avocado, diced $1.50
- 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves $1 for a bunch
- sliced jalapeño Optional
Recipe Serves 3-4
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine the spices, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Arrange the sliced plantains on a plate or cutting board and sprinkle half of the spice mixture over them, making sure each one gets lightly coated on one side.
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Cook the plantains (working in batches or using 2 pans, if necessary), spiced-side-down for 2-3 minutes, until a brown crust develops. While the plantains cook, sprinkle the remaining half of the spice mixture on the tops of the plantains.
- Flip plantains, and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes, until a brown crust develops.
- Once the plantains have cooked, turn the heat off, and leave the plantains in the pan.
- Toast the tortillas by either toasting them directly over a gas burner for 30 seconds to a minute, or in a dry frying pan. You want the edges to crisp up slightly, and the tortillas to be flexible.
- To assemble the tacos, divide the cooked plantains between the tortillas, and top with onion, avocado, cilantro, and jalapeño, if using.
- Serve immediately.
Leave a Comment
What They're Saying
https://kingstondentists.ca, on Jul 10, 07:11 AM, wrote:
Thanks for keeping people up on what’s happening. Your web page is great.
visit link, on Nov 10, 04:42 AM, wrote:
I really enjoy your blog! Thank you for this recipe – sounds so delicious.
Ian Bell, on Feb 8, 01:40 AM, wrote:
Chunks of this local delicacy are folded into a flavorful taco, served with fresh-cut radishes, salsa, and a side of chipotle yogurt. The flavors of sub-tropical fruits mingle with salsa and spices to create a brilliant burst of flavor that sets this dish apart from others. This surprisingly delicious dish traces its roots to Colonial Central America; in fact, it was first introduced to the region by the conquistadors. I have just turned old pallets into dorm decorations via https://packagingrevolution.net/ideas-for-turning-old-pallets-into-dorm-decorations/ . Now, I am going to start making this recipe for my friends.
www.resumehelpaustralia.com, on Jul 7, 03:58 AM, wrote:
I love to eat tacos and am glad to have the impressive sharing about the delicious good on your forum. There should be people who really wants the recipes to try them at home. I appreciate your excellent work that is interesting and updated.
bitcoincasino, on Aug 3, 01:30 AM, wrote:
From some point on, I am preparing to build my site while browsing various sites. It is now somewhat completed. If you are interested, please come to play with !!
munnar call girls, on Jan 24, 04:00 AM, wrote:
Thanks, A Lot For The Post. It Has Helped Me Get Some Nice Ideas.
www.12y.org, on Mar 20, 10:34 PM, wrote:
Assignment writing can provide academic assistance to international students, but it should not replace their academic efforts.