Colombian FoodCartagena-Style Turkey Posta with Sweet Plantain Purée and Warm Cucumber Onion Salad
An original recipe inspired by the coastal flavors of Colombia: turkey seared and glazed in a dark panela, coffee, and mild spice sauce, served with silky sweet plantain purée and a warm, refreshing cucumber, red onion, and lime salad.
Ingredients
- 700 g thick turkey breast fillets (cut en 4 porciones)
- 8 g salt (divided)
- 3 g black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 g ground cumin
- 12 g garlic (chopped fino)
- 80 g scallions (chopped fina)
- 30 ml vegetable oil
- 40 g grated panela (or piloncillo grated)
- 120 ml strong black coffee (freshly preparado)
- 30 g tomato paste
- 15 ml cane or apple cider vinegar
- 2 unit bay leaves
- 1 g ground cinnamon
- 180 ml water (for the sauce)
- 500 g ripe plantains (pelados and sliced)
- 25 g butter
- 120 ml milk (whole or semidescremada)
- 1 g nutmeg
- 200 g cucumber (en medias lunas)
- 80 g red onion (en pluma fina)
- 30 ml lime juice
- 10 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 50 g sweet chili pepper or red bell pepper (chopped fino)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Season the turkey fillets with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, black pepper, cumin, and half of the garlic. Let them rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- 2
2. Heat the oil in a wide skillet or shallow pot over medium heat. Sear the turkey for 3 to 4 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- 3
3. In the same skillet, add the scallions, the remaining garlic, and the sweet chili pepper or red bell pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until softened but not browned too much.
- 4
4. Stir in the tomato paste, grated panela, strong black coffee, vinegar, bay leaves, ground cinnamon, the 180 ml (3/4 cup) water, and 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes until a smooth sauce forms.
- 5
5. Return the turkey to the skillet, spoon the sauce over it, cover, and cook over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until tender and the sauce is glossy and slightly thickened.
- 6
6. Meanwhile, place the ripe plantains in a pot with enough water to cover them. Cook over medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes until very soft. Drain well.
- 7
7. Mash or blend the cooked plantains with the butter, milk, nutmeg, and the remaining 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt until smooth and silky. Keep warm over very low heat. For a finer texture, blend for 1 extra minute.
- 8
8. For the warm salad, heat a small skillet over medium heat and sauté the cucumber and red onion for 1 to 2 minutes, just enough to warm them slightly. Remove from the heat and toss with lime juice and fresh cilantro.
- 9
9. Check the turkey for doneness; if you want extra color, transfer it to a tray and bake for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C), brushing it with the sauce. This step is optional.
- 10
10. Serve a bed of sweet plantain purée, top with the turkey and plenty of panela-coffee sauce, and finish with the warm cucumber and onion salad on the side. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Chef tips
For a deeper sauce, let it reduce uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes at the end. The coffee should be strong but not bitter; a medium roast works very well.
Substitutions
You can use chicken breast instead of turkey. Panela can be replaced with dark brown sugar, and cucumber can be swapped for sautéed zucchini if you want a different warm side.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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