FIERCE LIFE MAGAZINE EVE EDITION | Page 9

mart undays DINNER RECIPE: Herring on Plantain topped with Goat Cheese   Submitted by: Monia, NJ   • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •     8 oz smoked herring fillets 3 - 4 Tbsp Olive oil 1/2 cup diced onions 1/2 cup diced tomatoes 3 - 4 cloves of garlic, crushed 1/2 Tsp of fresh minced thyme(optional) ½ a bell pepper of each (yellow, orange, green & red) 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice 2 green onions sliced thinly - white and green parts Pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper  Salt & black pepper (to taste) 1/8 cup chicken stock/ broth 4 – 6 green plantain s 1 quart of vegetable oil for frying Dissolve 2 tsp of salt in 2 cups of warm water Goat Cheese (or any crumbled cheese) PREPARATION OF HERRING Add the smoked herring filets to a sauce pan, add 2 cups of water, cover, and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes and drain thoroughly. Repeat process two more times. When cool enough to handle, chop fish into tiny pieces and set aside. Add oil to a skillet and heat. Toss in onions and sauté until translucent. Add bell peppers and sauté for 2 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes, garlic, thyme, peppers and continue to sauté for a minute. Add fish and toss to mix and add chicken broth/ stock.  Cook until liquid evaporates. Stir in lemon juice and green onions; remove from heat and set aside.   PREPARATION FOR FRIED PLANTAIN Cut ends from each plantain with a sharp small knife, then cut a lengthwise slit through peel. Cut plantains crosswise into 1-inch-thick pieces and, beginning at slit, pry off peel. Heat oil in a deep 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until just hot enough to sizzle when a piece of plantain is added. Fry plantains in 3-4 batches, turning occasionally with tongs, until tender and just golden, 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Transfer plantains to paper towels to drain, reserving oil in skillet. Flatten each plantain to 1/4 inch thick with a stone press or bottom of a heavy saucepan. Stir together warm water and 2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Heat reserved oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Dip a flattened plantain in salted water and gently place, without patting dry, in hot oil. (Plantains will not spatter.) Repeat with several more pieces and fry plantains (without crowding) in 6 or 8 batches, turning occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with tongs to clean paper towels to drain. Set aside. Take tsp of Herring mixture and place it on the fried plantain. Put a small piece of goat cheese on top.    Decorate with green onions if you choose and enjoy!