Plantain “Lasagna” with Refried Black Beans and Mole
My Facebook friend, Joyce Colon, told me about a layered plantain dish she grew up on in Puerto Rico. It occurred to me that I could do something similar with plantains, refried beans, mole, and shredded cheese atop the final plantain layer, a lasagna of sorts. This is my first attempt and it got somewhat overcooked but it was yum, yum, yummy. Please note that this is not a perfectly developed recipe because there are no set rules. So make your own versions next time you feel like eating a sinfully rich and delicious dish.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe plantains equal parts black and yellow
- 2 tablespoons lard, preferably
home-rendered - 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 cups refried black beans
- 1 cup mole paste
Xico , Oaxacan or Poblano thinned with 1½ cups chicken stock, preferably homemade, to the consistency of pancake batter - 1½ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a cazuela or other oven-proof 2-quart baking dish.
- Wash the plantains thoroughly, cut off the tips, and cut in thirds skin-on. Place in a deep saucepan; add water to cover, bring to a boil, cover, and lower heat to maintain a low, rolling boil. Cook for about 20-30 minutes or until a sharp knife goes through the peel and flesh easily. Transfer to a bowl and let rest just until cool enough to handle; peel and mash with a fork or potato masher. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the lard and sauté the onions and garlic until golden. Immediately pour the mixture into the mashed plantain. Spread half of the plantain mixture in the baking dish; top with the beans; cover the beans with an even layer of mole; and spread the remaining plantain puree on top. Sprinkle the cheese on the top and cook for about 20 minutes or until bubbly.
Notes
The dish in the photo above was a little over-cooked. Will swap picture when I make the dish again.
Nutrition
Calories: 548kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 18gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 962mgPotassium: 999mgFiber: 10gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 2542IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 362mgIron: 3mg
