Steam-fried Plantains

These tasty plantains are soft, sweet, and not deep-fried. Roasting usually results in dry, chewy plantains not worth eating.

I borrow a method from making potstickers, steam-frying, which browns the dumpling skins and cooks the interior in a humid environment. This method makes tender plantains without using cups of cooking oil.

Savory black beans are perfect with this, but eggs or another less sustainable protein would work as well.

Steam-fried Plantains Recipe Success Guide:

Use very ripe plantains. Yellow plantains are not nearly as sweet as black ones.

You need a lid for the skillet. if you don’t have a fitting lid, place a large pot over the skillet to trap the steam in.

Meal Pairings:

Plantains + Black Beans
Plantains + Pancakes Rancheros
Plantains + Eggs + Pico De Gallo
Plantains + Any Soup or Stew

Ingredients

2 super ripe plantains
1 tbs neutral oil, avocado, vegetable, canola, grapeseed, etc. or coconut oil.
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp table salt or 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 can black beans, undrained
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Necessary Kitchen Stuff:
a large skillet with a lid. If you don’t have a lid, you can place another pot on top of the skillet.

Step-by-step Instructions

Slice plantains in half lengthwise and peel
Stir 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 cup of water together, set aside
Heat 1 tbs of oil skillet over medium-high heat. Use a skillet large enough to fit all four plantain halves.
Swirl the hot oil around the pan to evenly coat the bottom and add plantain halves, cut-side down. Sear for ~2 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and sear for another 2 minutes until second side is browned.
Pour in salted water, and cover the skillet. Steam until water is 80% evaporated and plantains are tender. If you cut one open, it should not have a dense, white center. If it does, add 1/4 cup more water and continue steaming.
Scoop plantains onto a plate while you prepare the beans.
Without washing the skillet and with the heat off, add a can of undrained black beans. Add cumin and garlic powder. Mash with a potato masher or a fork until desired consistency. Turn heat to high until mashed beans are warmed, 1-2 minutes.
Serve plantains over mashed black beans.