Signature Dish of the Day: Delicious Mashed Plantains

Signature Dish of the Day: Starting our week with these absolutely scrumptious Delicious Mashed Plantains as our signature dish of the day today! This new recipe was actually the unintended result of a culinary mistake gone right...I had initially only meant to bake some plantain slices but they ended up being overcooked and I subsequently made the impromptu decision to turn them into this delectable mashed masterpiece 😄. After all, if potatoes can be mashed, why not plantains? I am so glad I made that choice because the outcome was absolutely worth it - amazingly luscious, smooth, and the perfect dinner side dish! In fact, I think this signature dish also has the potential to become a wonderful dessert snack. It is also healthier compared to traditional fried plantains since I baked them and used a very small amount of oil. To make these plantains, I first cut 2 large yellow and fully ripened plantains into small, 1/4 inch circular slices. I then drizzled about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and also seasoned them with a dash of salt, ground black pepper, and smoked paprika before baking them at 350℉ for 30 minutes. Once done, I simply used a small spoon to mash and shape the plantains as shown above. The mashing process does not require much effort since the already-ripened plantains become super soft as they bake. And yes, that's just about it - quick, simple, and downright delicious. Garnish with some dry parsley flakes and serve warm or at room temperature as a delightful sweet and savory accompaniment to a main dish. Do give this recipe a try sometime...I guarantee you won't regret it. Enjoy! 😋