Fried Plantains with Garlic and Queso Fresco

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Golden caramelized plantains topped with a savory garlic-cheese blend and fresh herb finish. This Puerto Rican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs Plantains, Olive oil, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Puerto Rican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel plantains and slice each into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add plantain slices in a single layer to the skillet, ensuring they are not overlapping. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and tender, flipping once.
  3. Step 3: While plantains cook, mix 2 minced garlic cloves with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco in a small bowl.
  4. Step 4: Transfer cooked plantains to a plate, top with the garlic-cheese mixture, and garnish with 1 tbsp chopped cilantro.

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