Recipe for the Week

Piononos de amarillo
(Fried filled ripe plantain rolls)
Piononos are a delicious addition to the variety of foods that may be prepared using plantains (ripe plantains, in this case). Piononos consist of a round outer shell made with ripe plantain slices, a filling which may be beef, chicken, lobster, shrimp or simply vegetables if yours is a no-meat diet.
Serves: six adults
Preparation time: Half an hour. Ingredients:
(A) The outer shell
3 plantains, ripe but not overripe
1 cup frying oil
Round toothpicks, as needed
(B)The filling
Ingredients:
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoonful diced pitted olives, pepper or onion-stuffed
1 small green bell peppers, chopped
1 tablespoonful chopped onion
1 tablespoonful olive oil
Salt, to taste
1 bay leaf
(C)
1 1/2 cups lean ground meat
1/2 cup string beans, diced
1 tablespoonful raisins
(D)
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups frying oil

Procedure:
1. Peel the plantains, discard the outer rind.
2. Slice the plantains lengthwise. You should get four slices out of an average ripe plantain.
3. Pour the frying oil in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat.
4. Fry the plantains, a few at a time, until they change color to a light golden tan.
5. Remove the plantains. Allow to cool enough to handle comfortably or wear cooking gloves.
6. Bend each plantain piece to form a round shape. Use one or two round toothpicks to hold the ends of the round, hollow plantains.
7. Add enough filling (see below for the recipe) to fill up the hollow inside each plantain.
8. Baste the ends of the filling with beaten eggs. Fry over medium heat, using just enough oil to cover the bottom of your frying pan. Fry for two to three minutes or until the egg basting at the bottom of the pan looks cooked (omelet-like).
9. Carefully lift each pionono, turn over, and fry on the other side.
Two piononos make a full meal for an average adult, Or serve as an entree with your favorite side dishes. (Warn your diners about the toothpicks!)

Procedure for the filling:
Saute the ingredients included in (B) for about five minutes over medium high heat
Stir the ground meat into the ingredients already in the saucepan. Cook for about ten minutes, covered, over medium heat. Add the string beans and the raisins. Continue to cook for another five minutes or until the meat is cooked but not dry. You may want to remove the bay leaf at this time. Use the filling as directed above.

**Other fillings may be used. Lobster, shrimp and chicken are among the most popular. Enjoy!