Smoky Caribbean Black Bean and Plantain Tostones with Garlic Aioli

Name: Smoky Caribbean Black Bean and Plantain Tostones with Garlic Aioli
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: Black beans; Smoked paprika; Garlic; Cumin; Lime juice; Salt and pepper; Green plantains; Vegetable oil; Salt; Mayonnaise; Garlic; Lemon juice; Salt; Fresh cilantro; Red chili

A flavorful, crispy taste of the Caribbean

Dive into the vibrant tastes of the Caribbean with this aromatic dish featuring black bean tostones paired with zesty garlic aioli.

1 h 10 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Black Bean Mix

Black beans

1 cup, cooked, drained, and rinsed

Smoked paprika

1 tsp

Garlic

1 clove, minced

Cumin

1/2 tsp

Lime juice

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper

To taste

For the Tostones

Green plantains

3, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces

Vegetable oil

For frying

Salt

For seasoning

For the Garlic Aioli

Mayonnaise

1/2 cup

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Lemon juice

1 tbsp

Salt

To taste

For the Garnishing

Fresh cilantro

1/4 cup, chopped

Red chili

1, thinly sliced

Preparation

Preparing the Black Bean Mix

Mash the beans

In a bowl, mash the black beans slightly with a fork.

Add spices and lime

Stir in smoked paprika, garlic, cumin, and lime juice.

Season and set aside

Season with salt and pepper, mix well, and set aside.

Preparing the Tostones

Heat the oil

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.

Fry plantains

Fry plantain slices until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes.

Flatten and fry again

Remove and flatten each slice gently with the back of a spatula, then fry again until crispy.

Don’t overcrowd the frying pan; it will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy tostones. Pro Tip: Double-frying ensures they are perfectly crispy.

Cooking Process

Frying Tostones

Fry plantains in batches, first until golden, then flatten and fry again until crispy.

Preparing Black Bean Mix

Mix mashed black beans with spices and lime for a smoky flavor profile.

Mixing Garlic Aioli

Combine mayonnaise with garlic and lemon juice for a tangy aioli.

Plating & Serving