There is a change in our monthly challenge…we were known as 5 Star Makeover Cooking Group…we are now called the Creative Cooking Crew and I am looking forward to collaborating with our old group and welcoming new talent.
The theme for January 2013 is to create a healthy vegan dish instead of using a protein.
Keeping with my Latin roots, I have decided to turn those cute little fried empanadas (meat patties) into a healthier version and no deep-frying, but baking.
Ingredients:
3 sweet ripe plantains
about 4 oz mixed mushrooms
1/4 of each, green, yellow, orange and pimento peppers cut in small cubes
12 spicy olives, sliced
2 culantro leaves (or cilantro)
1 onion chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt-pepper to taste
reduced fig balsamic vinegar for glazing
Tortilla press + wax paper + Pam
Directions:
Cut plantains in 3 pieces each and boil with its skin until fork tended. Remove and let cool.
Meantime, heat oil and add onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes. Add rest of ingredients and cook for about 10-15 minutes and set aside.
Remove the skin from plantains and mash with a fork. Make about 6 balls and flatten with a tortilla press using a piece of wax paper or by flattening the balls with your hands. Place filling in middle and seal.
Bake at 400 degrees until heated throughout.
As I was baking these babies my superintendent and his aide knocked on my door to see what I was cooking and of course they had to try the new recipe…I will not repeat what they said but…yes they came out delicious…
BUEN PROVECHO!
platanosmangoes.com 
Extremely creative Norma. I am sure I would love this more than the meat-centric version.
Thanks Val…it’s always a pleasure reading your comments
Delicioso … lucky building workers. They know what door to sniff around! 🙂
I love the delicious mix of flavors going on in this recipe!
I cannot wait to try this recipe Norma….looks so delicious!!!!!!
What a creative recipe, Norma. No less than I have come to expect from both you and Joan. fI love the flavors in this recipe–and it is healthy to boot! Thanks for sharing and wishing you the best for 2013.
What an innovative recipe! Plantain, mushrooms, peppers…all my favourites.
wow, It looks like it´s something to crave for!
Norma, how inventive of you! No pastry, and so much healthier! 🙂
Wow, never knew a plantain could look so good! Definitely going on the try this list.
Love it. I love picadillo and this is a brilliant vegan idea. I can taste the flavors. (almost, wish I were).
Your plantain empanadas sound delicious. I like that you peeled the plantains after they had been boiled…I didn’t know you could do that.
This recipe is so great Norma, I like bananas so much…!!!
So creative Norma! I would love to dive right in…they sound addictive!
You have me at sweet plantain! Love this recipe!
I love the fact that you used the sweet empanadas as the dough – I saw Jose Garces do the same and was thrilled – yet another recipe with versatile plantains. I love the vibrant, colourful stuffing too. Yum.
Using plantain for the empanada shell is such a great idea. Sounds so good with all those great veggies inside!
I love that you made the dough with plantains! I bet these had so much flavor!
These look super tasty Norma! You did a great job recreating them! They look fried too! Nice and golden brown and crispy. xoxo
What a treat. Your creativity is amazing and you’ve combined some fabulous flavors here. I’d love to make them.. I hope all is well. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
I adore plantains and definitely need these empanadas in my life!
This Dish looks so good that I can actually smell the sweetness of the maduros….YUMMY!!!
Love plantains! Very creative, Norma! Wonderful flavors.
so creative! i love that the plantains are the dough, i’m wishing that i could be eating these for dinner tonight!
I don’t think you could stuff more of my favorite things into one empanada …
If I were your neighbor I would be knocking at the door to see what was in the oven too….can only imagine how good they smelled!
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Great job. Wonderfully flavored dish.
Bravo!
I have never made the meat version, but this iteration is spectacular. How you turn a challenge into a triumph! No wonder the super swooned!
this is such a creative idea! great healthy empanada!
Another mouthwatering delight from Norma Torres aka La Jibarita de West Village
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