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Torta de plátano
Torta de plátano: Caracas bake of fried ripe plantain, white cheese and egg
Sunday lunch tables in Caracas often carry a torta de plátano beside the roast or the black beans: slices of very ripe plantain fried until caramel-sweet, layered with grated white cheese and set in an egg custard until it can be cut in squares. It is sweet and salty at once and loved by children. Choose a vegetarian cheese, as most white cheeses use animal rennet. The common mistake is using yellow plantains; they stay starchy and dry. Chef's tip: wait until the skins are mostly black and the fruit gives when pressed.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 4 very ripe plantainsblack-skinned
- ½ cup vegetable oilfor frying
- ½ oz butterfor the dish
- 9 oz white cheesegrated (queso blanco or mozzarella); vegetarian if needed
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Peel 4 very ripe plantains and cut each lengthwise into 4 long slices, 1 cm thick.
5 minStep 2: Heat ½ cup vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the slices in batches for 3 minutes a side, until golden-brown and soft. Drain on kitchen paper.
15 minStep 3: Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 20 × 25 cm baking dish with ½ oz butter.
2 minStep 4: Whisk 4 eggs, ½ cup whole milk, 1 tbsp sugar, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon and 1 pinch salt.
2 minStep 5: Layer a third of the plantain in the dish, scatter with a third of 3 oz white cheese, and repeat twice more. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top.
5 minStep 6: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until puffed and golden and a knife pushed into the centre comes out clean. Rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
35 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 19 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does torta de plátano take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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