Plantain & Veal Casserole

Feb 10, 2021All Recipes

Ripe Plantain Casserole is a staple recipe in Dominican Culture, it’s always layered with lean ground meat, so I’ve selected local Ontario ground veal. If you are as fortunate to be invited to a family celebration you may look forward to seeing this delectable casserole on the buffet.

8-10 Servings

Hatian Epis Seasoning

Yields: 1 cup

1 Tbsp (15 mL) garlic, minced

½ cup (125 mL) green bell pepper, diced

½ cup (125 mL) red bell pepper, diced

1/3 cup (80 mL) cilantro (stems included)

½ cup (125 mL) green onions

1 Tbsp (15 mL) fresh thyme leaves, picked

¼ cup red wine vinegar

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients

3 Tbsp (45 mL) olive oil

8 over-ripe plantains

2 Tbsp (30 mL) butter

½ cup (125 mL) 35% heavy cream

1 large carrot, diced

½ white onion, diced

1 Cubanelle or Anaheim pepper, diced

1 Tbsp (15 mL) garlic, minced

½ cup (125 mL) pimientos, diced

2 Tbsp (30 mL) tomato paste

2 lbs local Ontario lean ground veal

½ cup (125 mL) Epis seasoning

¼ cup (60 mL) red wine

1 ½ cup (375 mL) tomato sauce

2 tsp (10 mL) dried oregano

2 Tbsp (30 mL) Island Gurl Seasoned Salt (see recipe)

2 cups (500 mL) shredded mozzarella

2 cups (500 mL) shredded Parmigiano Reggiano

2 Tbsp (30 mL) Italian parsley, diced

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Heat a 6-quart (6 L) pot halfway filled with water and bring up to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, plantains and lower to a simmering boil for approximately 20 minutes or until plantains are soft enough to mash.

2. Remove pot, drain and discard the water. Mash the plantains with a potato masher, add butter, cream and mash until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

3.Heat a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and cook for 3 minutes, add onions, pepper, garlic, pimientos and cook for another 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook while stirring for 1 minute.

4. Add the ground veal to the vegetable mixture and cook while stirring to break up the pieces. Add the epis, wine and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add tomato sauce, oregano, seasoned salt, stir and cover slightly ajar and cook for 5-10 minutes or until the veal is done. Transfer to a colander placed over a bowl to drain any additional grease or liquid, set aside in a bowl.

5. Add both cheeses to a small bowl with the parsley and mix, set aside.

6. To assemble the casserole, grease a 13- x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) dish with butter. Using a flat spatula, divide the mashed plantains into 3 parts and spread the first layer to the bottom of the pan, follow with the cheese mixture, then the veal mixture. Repeat finishing with plantain on top, top with the cheese mixture.

7. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, serve at once with crusty bread, a side salad.

More Recipes from Island Gurl Foods

Guava BBQ Beef Ribs

Tropical sweet guava BBQ enhances the flavor of smoky grilled meats. Serve these ribswith your favorite sides and make new memories with these next level BBQ ribs. COOKING TIME: 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4 Ingredients 2 racks Beef Grilling Back Ribs(about 7 ribs...

Bahama Steamed Chicken

A tasty dish with a zesty tomato-based sauce that complements all proteins and vegetables. It’s paradise in a bottle. COOKING TIME: 30 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4 Ingredients 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs(4 oz/125g each)Salt and pepper to taste3 Tbsp...

Smoky Mango Jerk Chicken

A wonderful balance of traditional Jamaican Jerk spices with a subtle hintof tropical mango to balance the flavourful heat. COOKING TIME: 20 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4 Ingredients 4 chicken leg quarters (or 1 whole chicken,cut into quarter pieces)seasoned salt to taste...

Spicy Maple BBQ Rainbow Trout

Real maple balances the heat of citrussy Habanero chilies a perfect glaze for tender, flaky Rainbow Trout. COOKING TIME: 8 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4 Ingredients 4 Rainbow Trout Fillets (4 oz/125g each)fine sea salt to taste (optional)3 Tbsp (45 mL) vegetable or canola...

Jamaican Pepper Shrimp

These shell-on shrimp with a subtle spicy flavorful heat is the perfect appetizer or snack at the table. Serve over pasta for a scrumptious meal. MARINATING TIME: 30 MINUTES | COOKING TIME: 6 MINUTES | SERVINGS: 4 Ingredients 1 lb. large shell-on shrimp, preferably...

Blackened Rainbow Trout with Strawberry Salsa

Get your pan sizzling hot for this sweet rainbow trout spicy makeover. Paired with a sweet, tart and crunchy Strawberry Salsa, for a go-to fast weekday meal. Leftover salsa would be delicious tossed with greens or spooned over...

Caribbean-Style Turkey and Potato Curry

Ontario turkey is the star of this hearty, mildly spicy stew. Caribbean curries are generally a vibrant yellow thanks to the extra turmeric. Serve with rice, naan or roti. Preparation time30 minutes Marinating Time: 30 minutes or overnightReady in2 hours Cooking Time:...

Traditional Ontario Apple Pie

Ontario Northern Spy Apples are hard to beat in this recipe. However, you may use Ontario Spartans, Idareds, Cortlands, Crispins (Mutsu), Golden Delicious and Empire Apples which all hold their shape when baked. They vary in sweetness, so adjust amount of sugar...

Pork Ragout with Apples ‘n’ Thyme

Preparation time30 minutes Ready in1 hr 20 min Makes8 servings It's a new year so a fresh taste is on the menu. Using Ontario Apples in thisragout adds new flavour to a traditional winter standby. Ingredients: 2-1/2 lb (1.25 kg) boneless Ontario Pork, such as...

Smoked BBQ Beer Can Chicken

This is next level BBQ, with only four ingredients wow your friends and family with the tastiest succulent bird with crispy seasoned Mango-Jerk skin flavoured with nuances of ginger.Serves 4 Ingredients1- 12 oz can beer3 - 4 lb whole roasting chicken2 Tbsp (30 mL)...

Cracked Lobster with IG Butter & Sweet Potato Pani-Cakes

The ultimate Bahamian delight, golden brown crispy fried lobster with a luscious butter and tasty island pani-cakes.Serves 2 Pani-Cakes1 ube (purple) sweet potato, peeled and cubed1 cup (250 mL) vegetable oil2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour1 Tbsp (15 mL) baking...

Barbecue Chicharrón (Pork Rind)

The ultimate seasoned snack with a good crunchy texture that’s better than potato chips. Serves 4 2 1/2 lbs (1.1 kg) pork skins or pork belly1 Tbsp (15 mL) Island Gurl BBQ SpiceVegetable oil for frying Cut skin into 1 x 1-inch squares. Line a baking sheet parchment...

Mussels in Wine & Garlic Cream Sauce

It’s comfort food at its best to warm the heart and excite the palate; made easywith Island Gurl Seafood Seasoning. Serves 4 Preparation Time: 15 minutesCooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients2 lbs (1 kg) mussels4 Tbsp unsalted butter2 shallots, diced8 cloves garlic,...

Roast Duck with Quince & Balsamic Glazed

An exquisite alternative main dish for Thanksgiving or the holidays. Preparation Time: 20 minutesCooking Time: 2 hours Ingredients6 lb whole Ontario DuckJuice of 1 lemonIsland Gurl Seasoned Salt to taste8 sprigs fresh thyme leaves4 slices of lemon1 cup (250 mL) quince...

Spiced Pumpkin & Chocolate Flan Torta

Spiced Pumpkin & Chocolate Flan Torta Serves 8 IngredientsCrust1 ½ cups (375 g) chocolate baking crumbs2 Tbsp (30 mL) brown sugar1/3 cup (80 mL) melted butterFilling1 cup (250 g) cream cheese, softened6 eggs¾ cup evaporated milk1 can (14 oz/396 mL) condensed milk½...

Louisiana Red Beans & Rice

A delectable one pot comfort dish that exemplifies the heart of good ole southern cooking; madeeasy with my flavor enhancing Island Gurl Seasoned Salt. Creole Seasoning2 Tbsp Island Gurl Seasoned Salt1 tsp smoked paprika2 tsp fresh or dried thyme leaves1 tsp dried...