Mofonguitos Maduros
Craving something unique and delicious? Try Mofonguitos Maduros, delightful ripe plantain cups filled with spicy chicken and topped with creamy avocado mayo. This easy weeknight dinner combines rich flavors and textures that will impress everyone at your table. Make it tonight!
Equipment
- Peeler
- Oven
- Mixing Bowl
- Large Pot
- Chef's Knife
Ingredients
- 3 pieces plantains ripe, yellow
- 2 teaspoons salt or more, to taste, divided
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ¼ cups chicken and tomato sauce filling
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce of your preference (or more, to taste)
- 1 cup vegan avocado mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro optional
Instructions
- Begin by peeling and halving the plantains. Next, place them in a 2-quart pot and fill it with enough water to cover the plantains, plus an inch. This will help them cook evenly.
- Once the water is boiling, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the pot. This will enhance the flavor of the plantains as they cook.
- Cook the plantains until they are tender, which takes about 15 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they can be easily pierced with a fork. Once cooked, remove them from the water and set aside to cool.
- Now it’s time to lightly mash the cooked plantains. Be careful not to create a puree; we want them to maintain some texture.
- Grease 8 non-stick muffin tins with some of the vegetable oil. This will ensure that your Mofonguitos Maduros don’t stick!
- Scoop equal parts of the mashed plantains into the greased muffin tins. Use about 6 equal portions to fill each cup.
- Using the mortar part of a mortar and pestle, press against the tin to form the cups. Make sure the sides are thick enough to hold the filling.
- Preheat your oven to the maximum temperature. You can also use a toaster oven for quicker cooking if you prefer.
- Place the muffin tins in the oven and bake until the edges of the plantain cups turn light brown. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your oven.
- While the plantain cups are baking, mix the chicken filling with your choice of hot sauce to taste. The filling should be flavorful and spicy.
- Once the plantain cups are golden, carefully remove them from the oven. Fill each cup with an equal amount of cheddar cheese and press lightly.
- Scoop the spicy chicken filling into each cup, then return them to the oven for another 5 minutes to heat the filling and melt the cheese.
- Finally, loosen the edges of the cups with a toothpick and carefully remove them from the muffin tins. A fork works best for this step.
- Transfer the Mofonguitos Maduros to a serving tray. Drizzle with vegan avocado mayonnaise and garnish with cilantro for a fresh finish. Enjoy!
Notes
- Tip 1: The plantains should be ripe but still firm.