How to Keep Cilantro Fresh!

Steps to prolong the life and freshness of your cilantro (for at least week):

1. Get an airtight glass jar
2. Fill the jar with water enough to cover the stems, not the foliage
3. Cut the roots of your cilantro
4. Place cilantro in jar and close lid
5. Place on top shelf of refrigerator

Avocado Dip

2 ripe avocados

1/4 cup of sour cream

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup of chop cilantro

1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed limejuice

1 cup of finely chopped tomatoes

Salt & pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

TIP: Avocado tends to turn brown when exposed to oxygen. Lime is used to prevent avocado from turning brown

Peel avocados and mashed to a smooth texture

Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well

Use dip in burgers, salads, meat, seafood

Enjoy!

Deep fried beef strips

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Servings: 3-5

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Tools: Deep Fryer

Ingredients

2 lbs of flank steak

1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of oregano

1 teaspoon of salt

1large freshly squeezed lime

½ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper

Oil

1 lime cut in wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse the meat and cut it Julienne style (strips)

Season with all the ingredients and marinate for at least ½ hour

Heat oil in a deep fryer and fry on medium heat, until meat is cook and a bit crispy

If using a skillet or pot, make sure you use sufficient oil to cover the strips

Serve with tostones  yucca fries, sweet potato fries  and lime wedges

Enjoy!

Boneless Deep-Fried Chicken Chunks

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Servings: 3-5

Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes a batch

Ingredients

4 lbs of chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs cut into chunks

2 freshly squeezed limejuice
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of oregano
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
Cooking oil
1 1/2 cups of buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS

TIP: You can use a deep pot if you do not have a deep fryer. Use an anti-splatter cover when using a pot.

Marinate the chicken with your choice of ingredients for at least 1 hour (4 hrs recommended)

Using a paper bag or a mixing bowl with tight lid, add flour, a pinch of salt and pepper. Add meat one by one as you shake it.

Add sufficient oil for deep-frying, pot or deep-fryer. Once oil is hot, add the meat (do not add too many at once)

Fry until golden, on medium heat and cool on paper towel

Serve with lime wedges, tostones,  yucca fries, sweet potato fries

Enjoy!

Garlic Mojito

Prep-Time: 5-10
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

1 head of garlic, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro
1 lime juice, freshly squeezed or vinegar
1small onion, chopped
Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Using a processor, finely chop the onions and garlic.

In a small skillet, heat oil and sauté garlic and onions for 1-2 minutes.

Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool.

In the same processor, finely chop the cilantro

Add the cilantro, lime juice and salt to the garlic & onions mixture


Use to dip Tostones or Yucca Fries 

Enjoy

Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Servings: 4-6
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes

Tostonera Presser

Cooking tool: Deep Fryer & plantain presser (tostonera)

Ingredients

2 or more green or yellow plantainsOil

INSTRUCTIONS

TIP: If plantains have been in the refrigerator or are not at room temperature, place them in a bowl with hot tap water for a few minutes. This, makes it easier for you peel. See how to peel plantains

TIP: needs to be served hot, as it tends to harden as it gets cold

TIP: Use sufficient oil to cover the plantains

Make a shallow slit along the length of the plantains.

Remove peel using your thumb to pull away the peel. Cut them in 1" slices

In a deep fryer or deep skillet, heat oil and fry plantain slices until they turn light golden brown.

Set aside on paper towel. Using a plantain presser or Tostonera,  press each slice until it’s flat

Refry in small bunches for 30 seconds

Serve with garlic mojito or ketchup or fried chicken chunks, carnitas fritas,  baked chicken, avocado dip, or use any of your favorite toppings

Enjoy!





Tostones Photo Credit: laylita.com

How to peel plantains

Select your green plantains



Cut both ends

cut in half for easy peel

If they have been in the refrigerator or are not at room temperature, soak them in hot water. This action will facilitate easy peel removal

Create a shallow slit

Remove peel with thumb

Or with table knife

I think it's easy!

Cut in half  for boiling. For frying, do not cut in half. Just create 1/2" slices and fry to make tostones