how to make dominican mangu (mashed plantain recipe)
Jump to RecipecardFluffy, savory, creamy, healthy, full of nutrition, and delicious. That's all you need to know about mashed Plantain. I'm going to show you how to make Dominican mangu (mashed plantain recipe) aka the best side dish out there.
The traditional way to eat Mangu is eating it for breakfast with cheese, eggs, and salami. But there are more ways to eat Mangu as it is the perfect side dish for rich in flavor beef, chicken, or vegetable stews.
Mangusi is a Congolese term for boiled vegetables. Brought during the slave trade to the Island, it became the national dish of Mangu. Dominican cuisine is influenced by many cultures, including African, Spanish, and Arabic.
Why make Dominican Mangu?
- It's super healthy and a good source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins.
- It keeps you full for hours.
- It's super diverse, like potatoes.
- You can use it for your meal prep.
- It's the national Dominican breakfast, so you have to at least try it.
Ingredients for the Dominican Mangu (mashed plantain)
- Plantains. A member of the banana family, plantains are healthy and a rich source of complex carbohydrates, Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin A, and Magnesium. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and boosts the immune system. The fiber in plantains helps lower cholesterol, which is good for a healthy heart. Plantains are not a significant source of protein but an excellent source of carbohydrates.
- Butter. Just a tablespoon for the creaminess. If you're vegan, use vegan butter.
- Water.
- Red onions. We will need four juicy red onions. They are going to be used as a topping. The onions combined with vinegar and salt create an outstanding flavor profile.
- Vinegar. You can use regular vinegar. I love apple cider vinegar as it is extra healthy. It may lower your blood sugar, improve heart health, may improve skin health, and is good for the digestive tract.
- Salt. We do not use any spices, just salt, and that's all this delicious dish needs.
- Oil. You can use any vegetable oil. I love high-quality olive oil because I love the taste, and it's super healthy.
How to make Dominican Mangu (mashed plantain recipe)?
How to eat Mangu?
But you have so many options on how to eat it. You can simply use it as a side dish, or as your main source of carbs on your plate. It is as varied as mashed potato.
It works really well with beef dishes such as Gulasch or chicken dishes like ’Pollo Guisado’, just to give you some examples. For my vegan friends, you can eat it with bean dishes or tofu.
tips
- Use ice-cold water to make the mashed potato extra smooth.
- If you're vegan or don't like butter, I recommend using margarine as it tastes better than butter for this dish or uses more olive oil.
- Suppose you're keeping the dish simple or want to try Mangu for the first time. I highly recommend making the sauteed vinegar onion. The topping really brings the dish to another level. It tastes out-of-this-world good.
how to make dominican mangu (mashed plantain recipe)
Preptime: 5min
Cooktime: 25min
Waittime:0min
Totaltime:30min
Ingredients for the main:
1000g | plantain |
1tbsp | butter |
2tbsp | olive oil |
400ml | ice cold water |
salt |
Ingredients for the topping:
4 | onions |
100ml | water |
3tbsp | apple cider vinegar |
2tbsp | olive oil |
- Cut the end of the plantains and cut them in half.
- Cut a shallow slit down the length of each ridge, but don't cut too deep, just the skin.
- Use your fingers to remove the skin from the flesh.
- Cut the peeled plantain into smaller pieces, like 4 to 5.
- Add the plantain pieces to a pot and add water and salt. Bring it to a boil and cook for 20 minutes or until tender.
- Peel the onions and cut them into rings.
- Use a pan and saute the onions in olive oil for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat.
- Add 100 ml water, cover, and let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Add salt and vinegar and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Remove from the stove and set aside.
- Remove the plantains from the water and mash them with a potato masher or fork. Add ice cold water and butter and mash until smooth.
- Add salt and olive oil. Use a hand mixer for extra smoothness, if available.
- Serve the mashed plantain on a plate, garnish with the sauteed onion and vinegar juice.
- ENJOY!