Plantain and Rice Rellenitos
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mahatma® Jasmine Rice
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup sugar plus 5 Tbsps. sugar, divided
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 plantains ripe, unpeeled, washed, cut into thirds ends discarded
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- All-purpose flour
- 1 (15 oz) can refried black beans
- Canola oil
- Additional sugar and cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
Prepare these delicious bean-filled rellenitos like a pro with these easy-to-follow steps!
Step 1
In a large skillet, place water, 3 tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon and mix until sugar is dissolved. Stir in Jasmine rice. Cover and cook over low heat, for 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked.
Step 2
Make vertical slits along length of plantains, without peeling them. Place plantains, 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon sticks in a 4-quart saucepan and add enough water to cover
Step 3
Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes, or until plantains are soft and peel opens. Drain, cool and peel plantains.
Step 4
In food processor, mash plantains. Place mashed plantains and 2 cups cooked rice in a large bowl and mix. If the mixture is too sticky, add all-purpose flour. If the dough is dry, add water.
Step 5
In skillet, place refried beans. Add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and mix. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and beans thicken. Stir in remaining cooked Jasmine rice and set aside.
To make rellenitos
Step 6
Take about 2 tablespoons of dough and form a ball. Place ball on a lightly floured surface, flatten and place 2 teaspoons beans in the center. Then, fold the dough to form an oval-shaped dumpling. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Step 7
Heat 1/2 –inch of oil in a medium skillet, over medium heat. Carefully place 4 rellenitos at a time in the hot oil and cook for 2-5 minutes, or until golden brown on all sides. Place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 8
Place on a platter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Serve warm.
Beans and Plantains?
Yes! If you’ve never tried this tasty combination, it’s time to take your taste buds on a new and delicious flavor journey with this Plantain and Rice Rellenitos recipe. Made with a rice and plantain “dough,” these tasty little morsels are filled with refried black beans and cooked in oil to golden perfection. You won’t believe the perfect sweet and salty flavor pairing between the beans and plantain and all held together with Mahatma® Jasmine Rice. The perfect finger food for your next gathering, you’ll want to make sure to make a double the recipe. These tasty rellenitos will disappear as soon as you set them out!
What are Rellenitos?
A popular dessert originating in Guatemala and regularly enjoyed throughout Central America, “rellenitos” are named after the Spanish verb, “relleno,” which means means “filled” or “full.” These bean-stuffed dumplings encased in a plantain paste are incredibly tasty and totally worth the effort. Love the idea of stuffed foods? Make sure to also try these sweet Empanadas with Rice Pudding or these savory Empanadas with Chorizo and Rice. You can also get creative by starting with homemade empanada dough and filling it with Mexican rice in a rice cooker. If you are looking for another funy option try these tacos dorados.
