Almost Fried Plantains - Virtually Fat Free

justcallmetoni's Note:

This is more a technique than a recipe per se. However, if you love the taste of fried sweet plantains but don't want all the fat, this is the way to go. For those less familiar with plantains, they would best be described as a cooking banana. These pair well with almost and Caribbean entree. For the best results, make sure you have a really ripe plantain one that is all yellow with a good number of brown spots. Though I have portioned this as a half plantain per serving, one could easily eat a whole one alone.

• Total Time: 7 mins
• Prep Time: 1 mins
• Cook Time: 6 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 1 ripe plantain, look for one with lots of brown spots
• 1/4-1/3 cup water
• cooking spray

Directions:

1. Peel plantain and slice 1/4 inch thick on a slight diagonal. This will give you oblong slices that are easy to handle while cooking.
2. Using medium-high heat, pre-heat a non stick skillet.
3. Place plantains in a single layer in the pan. Add water just until it covers the bottom half of the plantains.
4. Reduce heat a small amount and cook 2 or 3 minutes until the water evaporates. Your plantains should begin to have a softer texture and more translucent quality.
5. Lightly spray the tops of the plaintains with cooking spray and turn over. Cook an additional minute or so until you get a lovely, slightly crispy brown exterior on the plantains.
6. Give the tops another quick spray of oil and turn over again. Cook the first side a minute or so until it too has browned a bit.
7. Stop eating the plantains while you're cooking. :-).
8. Serve.

Reviews

[mish1nyc]

mmmmmmm. they were so yummy and a great healthy alternative to frying in oil.

[QOU4LIFE]

I have made this recipe even skipping the step of spraying the tops with cooking spray, which I don't really like. It worked fine in a heavy non-stick pan, even with very, very ripe platanos. Thanks for the awesome technique. My Cuban husband heartily approves!

[kolleen1021]

I love plantains, but they can be hell on your waistline if you aren't careful. That's why I was so happy to find this low-fat way to prepare my beloved black bananas.