September 4th, 2010

Piononos, What Are They?, Plantains, Recipe, Easy?, I am not so sure.

O.k., you already know that I grew up in the Island of Puerto Rico.  Well, sometimes I like to cook some of the dishes that remind me of La Isla del Encanto.

These dishes might or might not look the part, but they usually do taste pretty good.  That was the case tonight.

I had 3 ripe plantains on my counter.  To tell you the truth the ripe plantains are not my favorite; green ones are. 

My brother, Jose, who lives in Puerto Rico loves to cook.  He also has a passion for the weather.  If you are his friend on Facebook you will definitely know the weather patterns in the Caribbean.  So, it’s great that the weather and recipes are at my disposal. 

This morning I saw the recipe for “piononos”.  I thought, why not?

Piononos

3 ripe plantains

Vegetable oil for frying

1 cup of freshly grated Cheddar cheese

1/4 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tablespoon flour

1 tablespoon water

Peel the plantains and cut them in 4 slices each.  Easier said than done.  I got 3 slices from each one.  Maybe the plantains in Puerto Rico are bigger.  I am not sure.

In a large frying pan heat oil and fry the plantains only until golden.  That was not that bad.

Take out from oil and place on paper towels until they cool off and can be handled with your hands.

Form the plantain into a  loose pinwheel and secure with a toothpick.  That was tricky!!  Either some were too ripe or some were not. 

Stuff the cavity with the Cheddar Cheese.  Please note that the recipe called for 2/3 of a cup of Cheddar Cheese but I ended using a cup and maybe even a bit more.

Whisk eggs with salt.  Add water and flour and whisk a little bit more until it is all blended.

Pour over the stuffing and don’t worry I poured it all over the piononos.

Heat oil again and fry them, turning them once.  They won’t fall apart because between the toothpicks and the egg mixture they are secured.

Take them out after a few minutes and place on paper towels to drain.  Take the toothpick out.

Serve and enjoy.

Piononos Made In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

To tell you the truth, they were really good.  

Then, I started thinking, you know on the eastern side of the Island, by Luquillo Beach and also near El Yunque (rainforest) how could those women that work the “kioskos” make these piononos among all the other dishes they have to cook so fast?  It took me longer than I thought. 

Then, I have yet to hear any of my Puerto Rican friends say; Oh, I have been making piononos.  Not one single one has ever told me they have made one.  So, what am I doing here in Delaware making them for?  I love to eat, that’s why and part of having a passion for cooking is not to complain about cooking.  I will master the piononos and might even stuff them with crab meat.  You will be the first to know.

My brother, Jose, is probably laughing his head off.

That’s my post tonight…..talk to you later….have a great evening….