Banana Goulash

One of the best recipes in the world? We made this last week, and though it wasn't terrible, but it was a bit odd. It seemed funnier to us every time we reheated the leftovers. I'm not sure we'll make it again.

Plantain and Meat Casserole (Caribbean)

2 tbl. olive oil
2 lb. ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1 red or green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
1 tbl. minced garlic
1 tbl. paprika
1 tbl. ground cumin
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned are fine)
1 recipe Platanos Maduros (3-4 fried ripe plantains, sliced lengthwise)
2 eggs, lightly beaten, optional


1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Put the oil in a large skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. A minute later, ass the mean and some salt and pepper and cook, stirring to break up lumps, until it loses its color, just a couple of minutes. Remove with a a slotted spoon and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occassionally, until quite soft, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, and tomatoes and some more salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is saucy, 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Return the beef to the sauce and cook for another 5 minutes; taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Use about a third of the sauce to make a thin layer at the bottom of an 8 or 9 inch square casserole dish. Top with a layer of plantains, then more sauce, then the remaining plantains, then the remaining sauce. Pour the eggs over all if you like. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

Mark Bittman, The Best Recipes in the World