Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran green plantain and cheese patties with red bean-cilantro cream and fresh cabbage-radish salad
Golden patties made with boiled green plantain and fresh cheese, served over a smooth red bean cream blended with cilantro and paired with a crunchy cabbage, radish, and lime salad. This is an original Salvadoran-inspired homemade recipe with a delicious contrast of creamy, fresh, and toasted elements.
Ingredients
- 700 g green plantain (pelado and en trozos)
- 8 g salt (divided)
- 180 g fresh cheese (desmoronado)
- 1 unit egg (beaten)
- 30 g corn flour (for dar cuerpo)
- 100 g white onion (divided en porciones for tortitas and cream)
- 20 g fresh cilantro (divided, chopped)
- 300 g cooked red beans (with 120 ml of su caldo reservado)
- 120 ml water or bean broth (for licuar the cream)
- 60 ml table cream (for the cream of frijol)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided for sofreír and frying)
- 6 g garlic (chopped)
- 1 g ground cumin (for the cream of frijol)
- 180 g cabbage (finely grated)
- 80 g radish (sliced finas)
- 45 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the ensalada)
- 1 g black pepper (freshly ground)
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. Place the green plantain in a pot with enough water and 4 g of salt. Cook over medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes, until tender but not falling apart. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.
- 2
2. Meanwhile, make the salad: combine the cabbage, radish, lime juice, 2 g of salt, dried oregano, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss well and set aside so it softens slightly.
- 3
3. For the bean cream, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chopped white onion and the garlic, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Add the cooked red beans, water or bean broth, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 4 minutes.
- 4
4. Transfer the bean mixture to a blender with the table cream and half of the fresh cilantro. Blend until smooth. Return the cream to the skillet and cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring until slightly thickened. Keep warm.
- 5
5. Mash the cooked green plantain in a large bowl until it becomes a rustic purée. Add the fresh cheese, beaten egg, corn flour, the remaining chopped white onion, the remaining fresh cilantro, and 2 g of salt. Mix until you have a moldable dough.
- 6
6. Shape into 8 medium patties using slightly damp hands, pressing firmly so they hold together during cooking.
- 7
7. Heat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Keep an oven-safe tray nearby to hold the browned patties warm.
- 8
8. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden and firm. Transfer them to the tray and keep them in the oven at 200 °C / 400 °F for 5 minutes to help them set and stay hot for serving.
- 9
9. Spoon a layer of bean cream onto each plate, place 2 patties on top per serving, and serve with the fresh cabbage-radish salad on the side.
- 10
10. If desired, finish with a few extra fresh cilantro leaves on top to enhance the aroma before serving.
Chef tips
If the plantain mixture feels too wet, add 1 extra tablespoon of corn flour. If it feels too dry, mix in 1 tablespoon of cream or a little bean broth. Brown the patties over medium heat so they form a crust without burning.
Substitutions
You can substitute the fresh cheese with firm curd cheese or queso duro blando. The cilantro may be replaced with fresh parsley, although the flavor will be less traditional. The cream can be omitted and replaced with more bean broth for a dairy-free version, while also replacing the cheese and egg with suitable plant-based alternatives.
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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