Mofongo

A couple weeks back I had a hankering for this Puerto Rican dish. It is a plantain based dish that is traditionally filled with fried pork skin. Although Mofongo comes with different variations like chicken, beef, shrimp etc. Never having made this before and knowing that I wouldn't be able to get a vegan version in a restaurant I decided to make my own. This dish is a bit time consuming and not something that can really be made with a small amount of time. Nonetheless it's delicious and should be given a try at least once. To accompany the Mofongo a pot of rice and gandules/peas were made.

Ingredients:

4 green plantains (will make two Mofongos)

4 slices of Vegan Bacon

Olive Oil

Garlic (preferably pureed)  

Salt and Pepper to taste

Vegetable Oil for frying

Pilon (similar to a pestle and mortar only made of wood and taller.

Deep cup (something like a coffee cup)

Optional: Water to boil

* You can cook your pieces of  vegan bacon before the plantains or afterwards. I like sprinkling a bit of salt on them because I think it gives it more of a realistic flavor. Also cook the bacon until crispy but not burnt, just enough to make it easy to crumble.

1. Peel the skin off of the plantains. Cutting the plantains in wheels make sure to cut them somewhere around 1/2 inch to an inch in length. If they are too small it will later make it hard to mash them.

2. Set the cut plantains in a bowl of salt water for about 5-10 minutes.

3. Take a pan and pour some vegetable oil (enough to cook the plantains). Let the oil heat up before the next step.

4. Drain the plantains and place the wheels in the pan to cook on low-medium heat. Make sure you cook the plantains evenly on both side enough so that it is cooked inside but isn't crispy on the outside. You do not want to fully fry the plantains.

5. Set the cooked plantains aside on a plate with some paper towels to drain some of the oil. *You want to work while the plantains are still hot, if you let them sit too long it will be harder to mash them when they are cold.

6. Now take some of the wheels of plantains and place it in your pilon OR your deep coffee cup. If using the cup find something suitable to mash the plantains like a mortar. Mash the plantains up together adding some olive oil (not too much) and some garlic, salt and pepper (to be fair I use adobo instead of the salt and pepper). Do not over mash the plantains you want them to mix together but they don't have to be all completely mashed since its common to find some unmashed pieces in mofongo. Also add in the bacon (1 or 2 pieces per mofongo) at this time making sure to crumble it in. *You can add in more olive oil if the plantains are too dry, not too much to make it greasy but enough to adhere everything sufficiently together.

7. Flatten the top of the plantain's that you have mashed and using a knife run it around the mix to make it easier to get it out of the pilon or cup. 

8. I like to set a flat plate above the opening of the cup or pilon and then turn them both upside down so that the mofongo can go onto the plate flat side down. 

9. You now have it plated and can serve with some rice and beans or by itself. 

*Mofongo is normally served with a sauce on the side called Mojo which is basically a Garlic sauce. It is very easy and quick to make, you will need:

Vegetable oil

Garlic

Adobo/ Salt and Pepper

The measuring is up to you but basically you are mixing all three ingredients together and the amount of garlic you put in depends on how garlicky it will taste. You pour a bit of it onto your mofongo and it gives it yet more flavor.

*OPTIONAL: Another way to make the mofongo if you do not feel like standing over a stove watching the plantains to ensure that they do not get crispy is to boil them. This is a more time saving way and simpler I dare say. You simply have to cut the plantains and boil them in a pot of salt water. Let them cook until they are cooked all the way through but not overcooked, 5-10 minutes will do. After draining the water roughly mash them and place them in a pan with a little bit of olive oil. Let them get a bit crunchy and then place them into your pilon or cup to mash and mix with the ingredients. Follow the rest of the steps above and you will get the same end result. 

This is a delicious dish that is easy to adapt. I enjoy making these and my family enjoys eating them. 

Give it a try and enjoy!