Plantain Flan Recipes

PLANTAIN FLAN

Steps:

• PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
• HEAT sugar in small, heavy-duty saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes or until dissolved and caramel colored. Quickly pour onto bottom of deep 9-inch round mold; swirl around bottom and sides to coat.
• COMBINE evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, plantains, wine, vanilla extract and lime zest in blender container; cover. Blend until smooth. Strain mixture into prepared mold. Place mold in large roasting pan; fill roasting pan with warm water to about 1-inch depth. Cover roasting pan loosely with foil.
• BAKE for 1 hour 10 to 30 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Remove foil; remove flan from water to wire rack. Cool for 1 hour. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
• TO SERVE: Run small spatula around edge of mold. Invert serving plate over mold. Turn over; shake gently to release. Caramelized sugar forms sauce.

JAMAICAN PLANTAIN TARTS

Steps:

• Prepare the pastry by combining the flour and salt in a bowl. Rub in the butter and shortening until incorporated, and the mixture takes on a sandy appearance. Combine the egg and water, and stir into the flour mixture until a dough forms, then knead for a few turns to bring the dough together. Wrap well, and chill for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• While dough is chilling, peel plantains and cut into thirds. Place into a small saucepan with a little water. Bring to a simmer and steam until tender, 5 to 10 minutes depending on how ripe your plantains are. Once soft, pour out the water, and mash plantains with sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and red food coloring. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into circles using a 4 or 5-inch round cookie cutter. Spoon a little of the plantain filling into the center of each circle, then fold in half, to form a half-moon shape. Place the tarts on a baking sheet, brush with beaten egg white, and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow tarts to cool to room temperature before serving.