Thursday, March 12, 2015

Ripe Plantain Fried Donuts (Mandocas)

Ingredients
1 ripe plantain peeled and cut into three
1 ½ cup of yellow arepa flour (I used Harina PAN)
1 cup grated white cheese (I use Cotija)
½ cup of papelón (piloncillo or panela) grated
1 cup of water (you can use water used to boil the plantain)
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Grated white fresh cheese (queso fresco)
(Salt is not necessary because Cotija cheese is salty enough)

Preparation
In a pot with water to cover the plantains, boil them until soft.

In a heavy pot or cauldron, put plenty of oil for deep-frying, and heat it over medium-high heat.

In a bowl add the arepa flour, Cotija cheese and grated papelón and mix with a fork.

Cut the plantain lengthwise and remove and discard veins and seeds. Use a fork to make a puree.

Add the mashed plantain and water and knead until smooth dough forms. Let stand for 5 minutes.

On a clean surface with your hands form dough rolls, ¼ inch thick and 4 inches long.

Match both ends of the rolls and form the donuts.

Deep-fry the mandocas. I prefer to fry one at a time to prevent burning.

Once the mandocas are golden-brown, them on paper towels.


Serve hot with grated fresh cheese.