Smashed Garlic Plantains - Mofongo

This is a classic Puerto Rican dish that is also popular in Cuba (similar to the Dominican "mangu"). If you don’t have a tostonera (two pieces of wood hinged together to flatten plantains) use a glass or a small plate to flatten the plantains. If you don't use bacon and stop at step 2 you have tostones which also a great side dish.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

•  salt
• 4  green plantains, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 4  cups  beef stock or 4  cups  chicken stock
•  oil (for deep frying)
• 1⁄2 cup  pork cracklings (chicharrones) or 4  slices  thick bacon or 4  salt pork
• 1  tablespoon  chopped garlic
•  fresh ground black pepper
•  chopped fresh cilantro leaves (to garnish)

Directions

1. Mix handful of salt into a bowl of cold water and soak plantain chunks. Place stock in saucepan over low heat to warm. Bring at least 1 inch of oil to about 350 F degrees in a deep skillet.
2. Meanwhile, cook chicharrones or bacon until crisp; remove from heat and drain. Remove plantains from water, drain and dry them on towels, then deep fry the pieces (careful, they may spatter) until golden brown and tender. Remove from oil. Flatten the plantains using the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass bottle or a tostonera if you have one. Fry the plantains again for 30 seconds on each side until slightly crispy.
3. While the plantains are still hot use a wooden mortar and pestle to mash them with the garlic and the chicharrones. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. You can also use a food processor – add the plantains to food processor with bacon, garlic and some salt and pepper. You may have to work in batches. Process to consistency of mashed — not whipped — potatoes. Do not over process!
5. Place the mixture in soup bowls or wooden pilons, douse with broth, garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.