Tostones with Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipe
Nov 21, 2023
Tostones with Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipe
Plantains can be prepared in a variety of ways. One of my favorite ways to incorporate plantains into my diet is by making Tostones. These slices of plantain have been fried, smashed, and refried until crisp so that when you snack on one, you feel as if you might just be eating a little bit of sunshine. Once you know how to make them, tostones turn out perfect every time!
Prep: 35 Min. Cook: 10 Min. Total: 45 Min. Servings: 6-8
Tostone Ingredients
- 4 green plantains
- 1 cup (canola, olive, peanut, coconut, or avocado) oil, as needed
- 2 cups water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 lime, juiced
Garlic Dipping Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil, warmed
- 1 head garlic, peeled, crushed, and finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt, to taste
Tostone Instructions
- Using a knife, cut the ends off of each plantain. Next, cut the skin of the plantain from top to bottom (lengthwise). Be careful not to cut into the meat of the fruit.
- With your fingers, pry open and peel off the tough outer skin of the plantain.
- Cut the plantains into one-inch thick pieces.
- Pour the oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet. It should be about a third of the way filled with oil. Heat the skillet over medium heat to allow the oil to heat up slightly.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the water, garlic, kosher salt, and lime juice. Set aside.
- Once warmed, add the plantain slices to the oil. The oil should be just warm enough that it begins to lightly bubble shortly after adding the plantains, though the bubbles should not be vigorous. Fry the plantains until they are soft and golden. This should take about four minutes each side. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the plantains to a paper towel lined plate.
- Using the bottom of a glass, plate, or can, gently flatten each fried plantain piece. Smash them just enough so that they flatten out. If they are smashed, too much here they will break apart.
- Dip the flattened plantain slices in the garlic-lime water. Let them sit for about 10 seconds, then remove them from the water and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Repeat.
- When nearly ready to serve, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the flattened plantains back to the oil in batches and briefly fry to crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
- Sprinkle them with salt. Serve with garlic dipping sauce or any other of your favorite dipping sauces, if desired.
Garlic Dipping Sauce Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, add olive oil, garlic, onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt.
- Process until ingredients are thoroughly mixed (watch for the garlic and onion to be fully broken down).
- Pour into a stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bowl. Cover and refrigerate sauce until ready to use.
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