Season 07 - Lunch / S07L21
Piononos (Sweet Plantain and Beef Rolls)
Story
Piononos were Don Luis’s go-to when he wanted to impress without saying a word. He’d slice ripe plantains lengthwise, fry them until golden, then gently roll them around a spoonful of picadillo—savory ground beef seasoned with sofrito and spices. Baked with a cheesy top or dipped in egg batter and crisped to perfection, every pionono was like a gift. *“Look how they hug the filling,”* he’d say, smiling as he plated them, *“that’s how we cook—with cariño.”* Prep & Cook Time, Calories, and Cost
Ingredients
- For the Plantains
- 3 ripe plantains (yellow with black spots), sliced lengthwise 🍌
- Oil for frying
- For the Picadillo Filling
- 0.5 lb ground beef 🥩
- 0.25 cup sofrito
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 0.25 cup diced green olives
- 1 tbsp capers (optional)
- 0.25 tsp oregano
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional Add-ons
- 2 eggs, beaten (for dipping before baking)
- 0.5 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) 🧀
Instructions
- 1Cook the Plantains:
- 2Fry the plantain slices in shallow oil until golden and pliable. Drain and let cool slightly.
- 3Make the Picadillo:
- 4Sauté beef in a skillet until browned.
- 5Add sofrito, tomato paste, olives, capers, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until thick and fragrant.
- 6Assemble the Piononos:
- 7Lay 2 plantain slices slightly overlapping. Spoon picadillo in the center and roll tightly.
- 8Secure with toothpicks if needed.
- 9Bake or Fry:
- 10Option 1:* Dip in beaten egg and fry until crisp.
- 11Option 2:* Place in a baking dish, top with shredded cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until melty and golden.
- 12Serve:
- 13Remove toothpicks and plate with extra sofrito or a light salad on the side.
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
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