This plantain pie recipe sees generously seasoned lean ground beef pan seared, slow cooked with cho cho, bell peppers and carrots then topped with sweet ripe plantain.
Thanks for the paleo diet plantain is now a contemporary starch. If you are looking for a tasty beef pie recipe with a Caribbean flare to it, then this sweet plantain pie will not fail to deliver.
I will guide you through how to make dish and I promise your significant other or even your entire family will come back for seconds and thirds. Similar to my Breadfruit Pie dish, you do not want to be excluded from a recipe such as this one.
How is plantain used in the Caribbean?
In the Caribbean plantain is typically fried, baked, pureed or boiled by the English and French speaking islands. Heck, you can even add plantains to a stew or even whip them up in a bad ass curry
The Spanish Island called plantain, platanos and like to do create some interesting recipes such as this Dominican mangu (mashed plantains) or plantain lasagna called pastelon de platano.
In short, you can do so much with this starchy fruit (albeit considered a vegetable) so why not make some sweet plantain pie.
How to make plantain pie
Don't get deterred by the name, I promise you that the mashed plantain topping really works with the ground beef. You can control the sweetness of the topping depending on the ripeness of the plantain.
The ripeness of the plantains - If you want an extra sweet topping them purchase plantain with almost black exterior. On the other hand, a semi ripe plantain (yellow with dark spots) will yield a subtly sweet topping.
I like a slightly sweet plantain pie so brought plantain that was a bit more then semi ripe.
Use lean beef - The beef used is very lean with less than 5%. fat I know for some people, they feel that this is too little fat but the can of tomato really helps compensate the lack of fat. Plus low fat means higher protein content which you want to control calories or fat intake.
The nutritional value of plantain pie
Also, if you're omitting fat from you diet/lifestyle then this recipe will tick all the right boxes:-
- It's high in protein, lean and low in fat.
- A moderate amount of complex carbohydrate used to boost energy levels.
- The pie will keep you fuller without worrying about any excess high levels of saturated fat.
Most of the prep work will be done in a large pan (recommended). You don't need to season the beef overnight for this recipe but you certainly can do if you wish. If you cannot obtain cho cho (chayote) then zucchini (courgette) will make a great western alternative.
Notes and tips
- Use zucchini/courgette if you cannot find cho cho
- You don't need to bake the pie in the oven once the topping has been added. However if you wish to do so baked for 20 minutes at 180c/356f/gas mark 4
- Seasoning overnight is preferred but not required
- A pie dish is needed approx 23 cm in size
- Choose a plantain with ripeness that you desire - semi ripe, over ripe etc...
- The more the ripe the plaintain the sweeter the topping
- Suitable to paleo and gluten free lifestyle
- It's best to freeze down any leftovers into portions and simply thaw out and re-heat when ready to eat.
- Refrigerate and eat within 2 days of making it.
Other beef/lamb recipes you may like
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plantain pie
Ingredients
- 500 g of lean ground beef washed and drained
- 1 cho cho chayote peeled and chopped
- 1 large carrot peel and chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 4 sprigs of thyme
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 scallion chopped
- 1 small can of chopped tomato
- 2 tbsp of coconut oil
- 2 plantain
For the beef seasoning
- 2 teaspoons himalayan pink salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
Instructions
- Place the ground beef in a large bowl and add of of the dry seasoning. Use your hands to fully combine all of the dry ingredients into the beef and set aside, overnight or ready to use.
- Melt the coconut oil on low-medium heat in a non stick frying pan, then add the sautee the onion and garlic for 1 minute before adding the cho cho, carrot and green bell peppers and stir.
- Put the lid on the pan and reduce the heat, then allow the vegetables to steam for 5 minutes. The vegetable need to soften slightly before moving onto the next step. If the ingredients begin to stick add a splash of water to release them.
- Once soften, add the ground beef to the pan, increase the heat to medium and sear the beef. make sure to fold and stir to contents so the ground beef is exposed to the bottom of the pan.
- When the beef is browned pour the chopped tomato into the pan then stir a few times before adding the sprigs of thyme.
- Bring the pan to the boil then reduce to low and cover the pan.
- Simmer for 25 minutes during this time, the tomato/excess liquid will evaporate which is required for the pie base. If there is still excess liquid in the pan, simply drain off before transferring to the pie dish/oval bowl (I used a 23cm oven pie dish).
- While the pan is simmering prepare the plantain topping by cutting the ends of both ends.
- Score the plantain lengthways so the skin can be peeled off, it should pull away with ease once the has been scored across.
- Add the plantain to a pot filled half way with water.
- Boil the plantain until soften (approx 12-15 minutes)
- Drain and then cool before mashing with a fork or potato masher.
- Top the beef mince evenly with the mashed plantain.
- Garnish optional herbs and serve accordingly
Notes
- Use zucchini/courgette if you cannot find cho cho
- You don't need to bake the pie in the oven once the topping has been added. However if you wish to do so baked for 20 minutes at 180c/356f/gas mark 4
- Seasoning overnight is preferred but not required
- A pie dish is needed approx 23 cm in size
- Choose a plantain with ripeness that you desire - semi ripe, over ripe etc...
- The more the ripe the plaintain the sweeter the topping
- Suitable to paleo and gluten free lifestyle
- It's best to freeze down any leftovers into portions and simply thaw out and re-heat when ready to eat.
- Refrigerate and eat within 2 days of making it.
Hey Charla recipe looks great can’t wait to try tomorrow, can I use corn in this recipe? And if so when do i add?
Hi Taejah. Yes you can add corn if you wish. Simply drain the corn and add with the rest of the vegetables. Enjoy!!
Wow! So much flavor...I bet this tastes amazing! Thanks for sharing on Friday Frenzy!
thank you! yes it tastes amazing!