¡Yo Quiero Pastelón!

Dear Simply Studded family,

A while ago I heard of a dish that sounded very exciting to me Pastelón (Puerto Rican Sweet Plantain Lasagna). Layers of fried sweet plantains, seasoned ground meat cooked with green stuffed olives and raisins, and cheese, which is then baked to golden perfection. My mouth waters every time I think about it. So this is actually something that I have never tasted or even cooked before. I must admit that this will be my very first time fam. So I did my research and I found a great recipe from “The Noshery” and I’m ready to get to the tester kitchen. Who’s in??? Anyone else want to try this recipe out and tell me how it goes?

Well I’m about to get to it. I want to hear your testimonials. Don’t leave me hanging fam.

Your Culinary Cousin,

Hershey

Pastelón

1 lbs ground beef

1 onion,minced

3 gloves garlic, minced

1 green pepper, minced

1/2 chopped cilantro

2 tsp adobo

2 tsp oregano

2 Tbs vinegar

1 envelope sazón

2 bay leaves

8 green stuffed olives, halved

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup tomato sauce

4 plantains, peeled and sliced into strips

3 eggs

2 Tbs milk

2 cups white shredded cheese

vegetable oil

salt

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter square pan with 1 tbs of butter. Combine, beef, onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, adobo, oregano, vinegar and sazón.  Mix well. Heat a large skillet at medium-high heat with 2 Tbs of olive oil, add meat mixture. Cook beef until brown and of the juices bubble up, add bay leaves, olives, raisins and tomato sauce.  Mix and let simmer for 10 minutes, set aside. Heat a large frying pan with vegetable oil, just enough to coat the bottom.  Fry plantains for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden and slightly crispy.  Drain on a plate with paper towel, set aside.

To assemble pastelón: Take your prepared square pan, start with a layer of plantains, then beef, then a fistful of cheese, repeat.  You want to finish with cheese and plantains.  Beat 3 eggs with 2 Tbs of milk, pour over the pastelón.  Let it sit for a minute allowing the egg to soak in.  Top off with just a bit more cheese.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Mmm take a bite out of that!