DELICIOUS RIPE PLANTAIN RECIPES 🍌

Ingredients:
 4 ripe plantains, sliced lengthwise
 1 lb seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken
 1 small onion, chopped
 1 bell pepper, chopped
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 1 cup tomato sauce
 2 cups mozzarella cheese
 1 cup creamy white sauce or béchamel
 Salt, pepper and oregano to taste
 Chopped parsley for garnish

 Instructions:
1. Fry or bake the ripe plantain slices until golden and soft.
2. Cook the meat or chicken with onion, pepper, garlic, tomato sauce and seasonings.
3. In a baking dish, layer plantains, meat, creamy sauce and cheese.
4. Repeat the layers and finish with lots of cheese on top.
5. Bake at 375°F until melted, bubbly and golden.
6. Let it rest a few minutes, slice and enjoy!

 RIPE PLANTAIN PANCAKE-STYLE TORTILLA TOWER 

 Ingredients:
 4 ripe plantains, boiled or roasted
 1 egg
 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
 1 cup shredded chicken or chopped ham
 1/2 cup creamy sauce
 Salt and pepper to taste
 Butter or oil for cooking
 Fresh parsley or cilantro

 Instructions:
1. Mash the ripe plantains and mix with egg, salt and pepper.
2. Shape into round tortilla-style pancakes.
3. Cook each one in a skillet until golden on both sides.
4. Stack the plantain tortillas with cheese, chicken or ham and creamy sauce between each layer.
5. Warm until the cheese melts.
6. Top with extra sauce, herbs and serve hot.

 CHEESE-STUFFED RIPE PLANTAIN FRITTERS 

 Ingredients:
 4 ripe plantains
 1 1/2 cups mozzarella or cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
 1 egg
 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
 Salt to taste
 Oil for frying
 Chopped parsley for garnish

 Instructions:
1. Boil or roast the ripe plantains until soft.
2. Mash them and mix with egg, cornstarch and a pinch of salt.
3. Take a portion of the mixture, add cheese in the center and close into a patty.
4. Fry until golden and crispy on the outside.
5. Let them rest on paper towels.
6. Serve warm so the cheese stays melted and gooey.

 RIPE PLANTAIN ROLL STUFFED WITH HAM AND CHEESE 

 Ingredients:
 4 ripe plantains, boiled or roasted
 8 slices of ham
 2 cups mozzarella cheese
 1 tablespoon butter
 Salt to taste
 Parsley or cilantro for garnish
 Optional: creamy sauce for serving

 Instructions:
1. Mash the ripe plantains with butter and a pinch of salt.
2. Spread the mashed plantain over parchment paper into a rectangle.
3. Add ham slices and plenty of cheese on top.
4. Roll carefully into a log shape.
5. Bake until warm and the cheese is melted.
6. Slice into thick pieces and serve with sauce and herbs.

 RIPE PLANTAIN EMPANADAS 

 Ingredients:
 4 ripe plantains
 1 cup cooked ground beef, shredded chicken or cheese
 1 cup shredded cheese
 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
 Salt to taste
 Oil for frying
 Chopped herbs for garnish

 Instructions:
1. Boil the ripe plantains until soft, then mash well.
2. Mix with cornstarch and a pinch of salt until you get a soft dough.
3. Flatten small portions of the dough.
4. Fill with beef, chicken or cheese.
5. Fold into empanada shapes and seal the edges.
6. Fry until golden, crispy and delicious.

 STUFFED RIPE PLANTAIN CANOES 

 Ingredients:
 4 ripe plantains
 1 lb seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken
 1 small onion, chopped
 1 bell pepper, chopped
 1/2 cup tomato sauce
 2 cups mozzarella cheese
 Creamy sauce for topping
 Salt, pepper and oregano to taste
 Fresh parsley or cilantro

 Instructions:
1. Bake or fry the ripe plantains until golden and soft.
2. Make a lengthwise opening in each plantain without cutting all the way through.
3. Cook the beef or chicken with onion, pepper, tomato sauce and seasonings.
4. Stuff each plantain with the filling.
5. Add creamy sauce and plenty of cheese on top.
6. Bake until the cheese melts and serve hot.

 Sweet, cheesy, golden and full of homemade flavor!