Season 10 - Dinner / S10D12
Mofongo with Garlic Shrimp and Creole Sauce
Story
In the heart of his rustic kitchen, Don Luis was pounding green plantains with the same rhythm his abuela used to keep when she cooked in the hills of Puerto Rico. The smell of sizzling garlic danced through the air while the shrimp took a luxurious bath in golden olive oil. On Sundays, the family always asked for *“el plato que sabe a casa”*, and that could only mean one thing—Mofongo con Camarones al Ajillo y Salsa Criolla. 🌞🍽️ As Don Luis stirred the bubbling creole sauce, he shared the same story his abuelo told him—the tale of the fisherman who believed shrimp made you brave, garlic made you wise, and mofongo? That was the soul of the island. With every bite, his grandchildren giggled at the tale, their mouths full of fluffy plantain and saucy shrimp. 💬👨🍳 Time & Details
Ingredients
- For the Mofongo 🍌
- 4 green plantains, peeled and sliced into chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 4 strips bacon or 1⁄2 cup chicharrón (pork rinds) 🥓
- Salt to taste 🧂
- For the Garlic Shrimp 🍤
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter 🧈
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional) 🌶️
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Creole Sauce 🍅
- 1⁄2 onion, finely chopped
- 1⁄2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1⁄2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tomato, diced 🍅
- 1⁄4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1⁄2 tsp cumin
- 1⁄4 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- 1Step 1: Make the Creole Sauce
- 2In a pan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat.
- 3Sauté onion, bell peppers, and garlic until softened.
- 4Add tomato, tomato sauce, oregano, cumin, water, salt, and pepper.
- 5Simmer until it thickens, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 🍲
- 6Step 2: Prepare the Mofongo
- 7Fry the plantain chunks until golden and soft.
- 8In a large bowl or pilón, mash plantains with garlic, olive oil, bacon/chicharrón, and salt.
- 9Shape into balls or a small dome using a bowl.
- 10Step 3: Cook the Garlic Shrimp
- 11Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat.
- 12Add garlic and stir until fragrant (don’t let it brown).
- 13Toss in shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes.
- 14Cook 2–3 mins per side until pink and juicy. Sprinkle with cilantro.
- 15Step 4: Bring it all Together
- 16Plate your mofongo in the center.
- 17Spoon garlic shrimp and creole sauce over or around it.
- 18Serve with a lime wedge and love. 💛🍽️
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.
Read our mission →