Pastelon - Plantain and Meat Casserole Recipe Video
This Puerto Rican dish is sort of a noodle-less lasagna where the plantains are used in lieu of pasta. This takes some work but the final result is a delicious array flavors that go together perfectly.
Ingredients
| Oil | 144 Gram, divided (2 tablespoon + 1/2 cup) | |
| Ground beef | 1 Pound | |
| White onion | 1 Medium, chopped finely | |
| Garlic | 4 Clove (20 gm), minced | |
| Chilli pepper | 1 Small, seeded, chopped finely | |
| Green bell pepper | 1 Small, chopped finely | |
| Parsley | 2 Tablespoon, chopped finely | |
| Cilantro | 2 Tablespoon, chopped finely | |
| Tomatoes | 3 Medium, peeled, chopped finely | |
| Oregano | 1 Tablespoon, crushed | |
| Onion powder | 1 Teaspoon | |
| Garlic powder | 1 Teaspoon | |
| Ground cumin | 2 Teaspoon | |
| Paprika/Achiote | 1 Teaspoon | |
| Salt | 2 Teaspoon | |
| Black pepper | 2 Teaspoon | |
| Tomato paste | 2 Tablespoon | |
| Water | 1⁄4 Cup (4 tbs) | |
| Bay leaves | 2 Small | |
| Pimento stuffed olives | 8 Medium (green) | |
| Raisins | 1⁄4 Cup (4 tbs) | |
| Plantain | 6 Medium, peeled, sliced lengthwise (ripe) | |
| Fresh white cheese | 1 Cup (16 tbs) (Farmer’s, Cotija, Panela) | |
| Eggs | 3 Medium | |
| Milk | 1⁄8 Cup (2 tbs) |
Directions
GETTING READY
1. Prepare ingredients according to the list.
2. Butter a square oven proof dish or a 9×13.
3. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
4. In a bowl whisk together the eggs and milk.
MAKING
5. Heat a skillet with the oil. Brown the beef with the onion and garlic.
6. Add the chili pepper, bell pepper, parsley, cilantro and tomatoes. Mix well.
7. Put salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and paprika (or salt, pepper and 1 envelope of Sazon Goya).
8. Mix well. Cook for about 4 minutes until tomatoes have rendered some juice.
9. Make a well in the middle and add tomato paste. Mix to dissolve well.
10. Put water and bay leaves. Mix well and cook for an extra 10 minutes.
11. Add the olives and raisins. Mix well and turn off the heat.
12. While the meat is cooking, heat the remaining oil in a skillet. When it is hot, add the plantains.
13. Once they are browned, flip them and brown the other side – about 4 minutes each side. Remove the fried plantains onto a paper towel lined plate.
14. Start layering 1/3 of the cooked plantains on the bottom.
15. Remove the bay leaves and add ½ of the meat and spread out evenly. Add ½ of the cheese and spread on the meat.
16. Place a second layer of plantains on the cheese. Add the remainder of the meat and spread evenly. Finish with the remaining plantains. Spread the rest of the cheese on the plantains.
17. Pour the eggs on the plantains and allow the casserole to set for about 10 minutes.
18. Place the pastelon in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow setting for an extra 10 minutes.
SERVING
19. On a serving plate, slice and serve hot.
1. Prepare ingredients according to the list.
2. Butter a square oven proof dish or a 9×13.
3. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
4. In a bowl whisk together the eggs and milk.
MAKING
5. Heat a skillet with the oil. Brown the beef with the onion and garlic.
6. Add the chili pepper, bell pepper, parsley, cilantro and tomatoes. Mix well.
7. Put salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and paprika (or salt, pepper and 1 envelope of Sazon Goya).
8. Mix well. Cook for about 4 minutes until tomatoes have rendered some juice.
9. Make a well in the middle and add tomato paste. Mix to dissolve well.
10. Put water and bay leaves. Mix well and cook for an extra 10 minutes.
11. Add the olives and raisins. Mix well and turn off the heat.
12. While the meat is cooking, heat the remaining oil in a skillet. When it is hot, add the plantains.
13. Once they are browned, flip them and brown the other side – about 4 minutes each side. Remove the fried plantains onto a paper towel lined plate.
14. Start layering 1/3 of the cooked plantains on the bottom.
15. Remove the bay leaves and add ½ of the meat and spread out evenly. Add ½ of the cheese and spread on the meat.
16. Place a second layer of plantains on the cheese. Add the remainder of the meat and spread evenly. Finish with the remaining plantains. Spread the rest of the cheese on the plantains.
17. Pour the eggs on the plantains and allow the casserole to set for about 10 minutes.
18. Place the pastelon in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow setting for an extra 10 minutes.
SERVING
19. On a serving plate, slice and serve hot.
Chef
