Mangú pronounced Mahn-goo is freakin delicious! Dominicans usually eat this in the morning for breakfast. Plantains grow like crazy in DR, and so do avocados. Naturally, this became a staple food. If you accompany Mangú with eggs and fried cheese, It's called Los Tres Golpes (translates to the three punches..)Eggs, Fried cheese (queso frito) and Mangú. Mention that to any Dominican and their eyes gloss over and their mouths salivate immediately. They are proud of their plantains (platanos).
This is my version of Mangú made with Earth Balance butter to make it #vegan and eaten with some avocado. That was my dinner today. Who says you can't have breakfast for dinner?
My husband tells me a funny story on how this dish got the name Mangú. It's in spanish and the humor doesn't quite translate but whatever, Mangú isn't a real spanish word, and I'm going to tell the story anyway.
A "gringo" walks into a Dominican eatery, not knowing what to order, he points to a picture on the menu. The waiter signals to the cook with his hands, and puts in the order of mashed plantains. The gringo gets served within minutes and starts digging in. The gringo asks the waiter, "what is this amazing dish called?"
The waiter shrugged his shoulders.
The gringo replies with his mouth full, "Maaaan Goooood!"
The waiter screams back to the cook in Spanish, "oye, di que Mangú! (he said it's called "mangood", I guess that's what we will call it, "Mangood") and so the name of the dish evolved to Mangú.
Ingredients: (1 serving)
-1 Green Plantain or 1 yellow/ripe plantain if you want it sweet
-A Tbsp or two of Butter
-1/2 onion
-2 tsp vinegar
-1 Avocado
- Put plantain into pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Add salt to water.
- Boil until plantains can be pricked with a fork, about 10-15 min.
- Drain water
- Transfer cooked plantains to a bowl. Add butter and mash until it's a smooth consistency.
Pickled onions
- Saute onions in a small pan with oil & vinegar until onions become translucent.
- Add onions on top of Mangu with desired amount of "vinegar oil onion sauce".
Optional: add some garlic fresh, or powder is fine.
Serve with Avocado, Voila!