Mofongo Puerto Rican Style Plantains

Step 1

Put on some rubber gloves, really do it, plantains stain your skin and nails black.

Step 2

Chop ends off plantains.

Step 3

Score ,with sharp knife, the plantains down each rib, about four lines.

Step 4

Wedge your fingers or a spoon between plantain and the peel ,then slide down until each scored section of the peel comes off.* might take a little practice.

Step 5

Chop Plantains into small slices, and add to a stock pot.

Step 6

Pour chicken broth over plantains in pot.

Step 7

Add 3 cloves chopped Garlic to broth, and bring pot to a boil.

Step 8

turn heat down to medium, cover pot and boil for 25 to 30 minutes, or until plantains are really soft.

Step 9

while Plantains are cooking, Fry Bacon slices till crisp.

Step 10

Remove bacon from pan and set on paper towels.

Step 11

Add 4 cloves of minced Garlic to bacon grease in pan, and saute until softened.

Step 12

Chop bacon into crumbles.

Step 13

Add: bacon, garlic with a little bacon grease, chopped cilantro, and olive oil to a food processor.

Step 14

Process until a paste forms, remove paste and put in a bowl, and set aside.

Step 15

Drain cooked plantains in a colander.

Step 16

Place plantains back in the warm pot and mash with a potato masher or electric hand beater.

Step 17

Mash or beat until it forms a "lumpy mash potato" consistency.

Step 18

Add the bacon cilantro paste to your mashed plantains, and stir in well.

Step 19

Separate mashed plantains into 4 lumps.

Step 20

Mold each lump on a plate with your clean hands, (sorry, o.c.d moment).

Step 21

you can do a dome shape, or I make a dome then flatten the top ( like a plateau shape)

Step 22

Put marinated meat over top for main dish, or leave plain for a side dish.