Caribbean Plantain Gratin
Plantain is just a blessing on earth and this cheesy Caribbean Plantain Gratin is the best. This recipe is for all those plantain lovers out there.
Ingredients
Plantain base:
- 3 large Ripe plantains (or 4 medium ripe plantains) cut into big chunks
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp Salt plus more for the boiling
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Béchamel sauce:
- 2 & 1/2 cups Whole milk at room temperature
- 4 tbsp Butter at room temperature
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/8 tsp Fresh or ground nutmeg
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 2 Garlic cloves minced
Instructions
Plantain base:
- In a medium pot over medium heat, add salt to the water and add the plantains. Let them boil for 10-12 minutes. Drain them once they have done boiling.
- Let the plantains cool then remove the skin.
- Using a potato smasher or a fork, roughly smash the plantains unto a chunky mash then season with salt and pepper then set aside.
Making the béchamel sauce:
- In a frying pan pan over medium heat, warm the butter and garlic before stirring in the flour. Make sure the butter and flour are blended together.
- Slowly stir in the milk then season with salt, black pepper, nutmeg and thyme. Let the sauce thicken for at least 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly.
- You should know when the sauce is ready once you coat a cooking spoon and you slide on your finger on the spoon and it creates an open space.
Preheat oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan and set side.
The assembly:
- Start by layering half of the plantain in the baking dish followed by the sauce and cheese. Repeat the layer.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes then let it cool for 10 minutes before enjoying.
