FRIED PLANTAINS WITH CHEESE: PLANTANOS FRITOS CON QUESO

Fried Plantains with Cheese: Plantanos Fritos con Queso image

Provided by Aarón Sánchez

Time 1h30m

Yield 16 hors d'oeuvres servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 tablespoons crema fresca or sour cream, mixed with a little water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups water
2 pounds yellow sweet plantains, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces
8 ounces queso blanco
1 1/2 cups corn oil

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine the crema fresca and the cumin. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Bring the water to a boil and lightly salt it. Add the plantain pieces, and cook until the slices are soft, about 15 minutes. Drain the plantains, let cool, and push them through a ricer. Form the mashed plantains into small golf-ball sized portions. Refrigerate the plantanos until completely chilled and rested, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Line a tortilla press with plastic wrap, and press out each piece of dough. Set aside until all the dough is used.
Place a small wedge of queso blanco in the center of each plantain circle. Fold the dough around the cheese like an envelope. Roll the package, sealing the edges and making sure the cheese is completely enclosed.
In a deep saucepot, heat enough oil to deep-fry the plantain packages. When the oil reaches 375 degrees F, fry the plantains until they are golden brown all over, about 2 minutes. Drain the plantains on paper toweling.
Serve drizzled with the cumin-crema fresca sauce.