How To Make Tostones And Cookbook Giveaway
Plantains are an integral part of our diet in the Caribbean as well as in Latin America. Boiled, steamed, fried and mashed, we’ve got various ways to prepare this cousin of the banana. Growing up on the islands boiled ripe plantains was a key component to the spread our mom would put out for our Sunday lunch (biggest meal of the week in most Caribbean islands). These day when I hit my favorite Jamaican restaurant, the man have the nerve to ask me with his raspy voice “wha plantain with dat?” (every freaking time). Man don’t waste my time, you know that I WANT fried plantains! Besides if the meal comes with plantains, you know you need to put it in my container (I pay for dat!).
You’ll Need…
2 green (unripe) plantains
vegetable oil (for frying)
sea salt
Notes: You’ll need green (fully matured) plantains. I used about 2 cups of vegetable oil for frying and the amount of sea salt you need will be based on your tolerance for salt(just a pinch for me). I used a can and some parchment to press the once fried plantains into the tostone shape. There’s an actual tostone press you can purchase for this, but I find the can works great.. you can even press with your hands if you want, just be sure they’re cooled before you do.
Trim off both end of the plantain, then discard. Using a pairing knife, run a cut length-wise along the natural ridges of the plantain (as deep as the thickness of the skin), then using a butter knife, place the blade in the cut we made and peel back the skin. Depending on how freshly picked (harvested) your plantains are they may have a sort of white cloudy sap as you cut the skin. Wear gloves or rub some vegetable oil on your hands to protect them. Especially if you have sensitive skin. Finally cut the peeled plantains in 1 inch pieces and set aside in a bowl of cool water so they don’t discolor.
Put the oil to heat in a fairly deep sauce pan and heat on med/high. Drain the plantain pieces (if you had them in water) and pat dry with paper towels. All we have to do now is to fry them in hot oil for about 4 minutes in total.. be sure to flip them so they cook on all sides. Drain on paper towels and allow them to cool for a couple minutes before we press then and fry for a second time.
Here’s where we’ll now need a bit of parchment paper and a can ( I used a can of soup). Fold the paper in 2 and place a piece of the fried plantain on it, then flip the other piece to cover it. Using a little force, press down with the can to flatten it.
All you have to do now is give them a minute or 2 back in the hot oil, drain and sprinkle on a bit of seas salt and enjoy. If you like potato chips you’ll love these tostones with it’s sort of sweet undertones and crispy edges. They can be enjoyed on it’s own, with your favorite dip or as a side to any dish you normally serve.
Now on to the cookbook giveaway….
Winner Wanted!
Yes, it’s that time again. I’ve got a wicked cookbook to give away to one lucky reader and I’m hoping it’s you. Each recipe comes with a beautiful picture so you know what the dish is supposed to look like, simple step by step instructions and best of all.. they’re very easy to put together. All you have to do is tell me which is your favorite chicken recipe I’ve shared to date (click on recipe index at the top of this page to see the full list) in the comment section below and your name will be automatically entered..
There are two bonus ways you can have your name entered in the contest, giving you 3 chances at winning. Along with leaving a comment below, go to the Facebook fan page and/or the Youtube cooking channel and leave a comment there.
Here are the rules pertaining to winning this cookbook.
– contest is open to everyone globally (even if you won something here before)
– there are 3 ways to enter your name (see above)
– 1 winner will be chosen at random (if you left 3 comments, your name will be entered 3 times)
– contest is open from January 29– to midnight February 25.
– winner will be announced within 1 week of the official close date.
– the winner will have 1 week to contact us with their mailing address
– we will cover all shipping expenses (standard mail)
I hope you take a moment to enter your name as I’d really like to mail this wonderful cookbook out to you. It’s simple, free and fun!
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. oh yea! leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.
Just seen you on th web. Sign up for the free e-mag. Looking forward to buying your book.
Hi Chris. I am from Barbados, but I go back to your website when I need something different to cook. Keep up the good work
Hi Chris, I love these plantains and I’ve been making them regularly since a friend of mine brought me a Tostonera in the early 2000. Keep bringing the lovely recipes. Thank you and God bless!.
I guess I miss the cookbook challenge. I have to get the next one.
I loved your Dasheen Bhaji with okra, and your Chicken Curry
Will have to try making this
Hi Chris, Your recipes are great. My husband is from Aruba, so it is great to be able to make some authentic meals for him. He says that the CURRIED Chicken recipe reminds him of the dish his mother use to make. Looking forward to more of your great recipes. Thanks
Christ i really enjoy using yr recipes it encourages me to be in the kitchen ever so often am telling you that once upon a time i hated the kitchen until the day i came in contact with caribbean pot i must say its HOT. Even my mom is schock of my cooking, thanks Christ. This Tobago girl is loving yr flavors.
The curry chicken man! Hands down my favourite! 2nd would be the oven bar B Cue for sure!
Ultimate Trinbagonian Stew Chicken – my absolute favourite. Its such a unique dish and tastes fabulous.
Hello Chris,
Have been enjoying prepairing your recipes, took a break from the kitchen for a while was tired of making the same things over&over lost the desire of prepairing a gd healthy meal, but you got me back into the swing of things pretty sure my family thanks you for it. By me being such a big supporter of carribean pot I was hoping I would be the lucky winner of your cook book so i can share and keep prepairing your recipes. I am american but just love the island flavor you give to your dishes. Thanks for getting me back in the kitchen. Natasha
Love the Classic Jerk Chicken Wings!
Hi Chris love your recepies, but your Simple oven Bar b que chicken is delicious
Hi Chris,
Just found you upon a search for Fried Rice!! Making yours tonight!! Can't believe you don't have your own show yet!! Looking forward to more of your recipes and videos!! Thanks!
-J
I like the Island Style Chicken Strips, it's very taste
Chris you always remind me why our Caribbeam menus are sooooo healthy and gooooood, especially when you put a new twist on old dishes. I always rush to my cooker to try them out and they turn out truly great and to add bonus to your instructions my other half loves my sweet-hand even better which results in me getting a little more attention from him , Lord I tell you that is the greatest part of it all, so please continue giving me tools to a satisfying and happy union with my love ones. Oh! I almost forgot, please accept my submission for your free cook-book give-away.
Hi, I really enjoy your recipes. If I had to pick a favorite so far it would have to be the smoked turkey soup
I also enjoy your hot sauce and seasoning recipes.
Carla Hunte
Hi Chris,
Thank you for all the delightful recipes. It has certainly boost my confidence in having guests over to share our delicious food with the unique blend and flavors. Your generosity in sharing these delectable recipes, is greatly appreciated.
And I look forward to a chance of winning the cookbook!
Good luck to all,
Andrea
Jerk Chicken Wraps
I like the Island Style Chicken Strips.
I really enjoy all your chicken recipies,it is hard to choose. I will stick with the curry chicken with Rice. Thanks Chris,Have a great Day!
Hi Chris. Just love your curry chicken and jerk Chicken recipes they are the greatest.
Jerk chicken is one of my faves!! I would love to have your cookbook!
Love all the recipes
hey chris , did anyone i mean , did I by chances won the cook book ,… love your pak choi recipe.
I like the geera Chicken. I hope I win I never have good luck winning anything
<3!!
You have brought a wealth of knowledge to my benefit dinner menu. Merci Beaucoup! Our committee has enjoyed a handful of your recipes to see what works for serving 150 patrons to the arts. No small feat! Your step by step instructions make it so worth the trial menu.
Love the recipes and your knowledge Chris. Thank you for sharing.
I love your chicken curry recipe but then I love all your chicken recipes. I would so love a copy of your book.
My favorite is brown stew chicken. you have the best recipes Chris. Thanks for sharing you are absolutely wonderful
Hi Chris, been missing your great recipes trying to stay off the net, but miss your great recipes..
Shanna
love your recipes,,,,
I made the Alluring Chicken Soup this weekend. Absolutely delicious!
I love all the recipes, I refer to the recipes, I cook for my family using them. I love caribbean food. and even though we live in america, I never stop cooking our culturial tood.
Sweet trini Cooking…Dianne Joseph-Benjamin
Jenni Parello It's so hard cause they all so good chicken curry I do this one a lot. I couldn't cook but since I log on to Caribbean pot you have show me how easy it is you can't get me out the kitchen now lol
hi
Is there a way of cooking plantain in the oven so that there is less oil used.
love the recipes… 🙂
Hi Chris, your bbq chicken recipe..i love love love it…..keep up the great work as always!!!
For me it's Chicken Fried Rice. My parents are from Trinidad and the fried rice with chicken is sooooooooooooooooooooooo good!! It beats out some of the fried rice that I've tried here in Winnipeg at other Chinese restaurants.
Would love to win the book. As always, good job Chris. Enjoy your time off
I am encouraged to stop in the spice lane of the supermarket and purchase things I normally would purchase…..I have started coming put of my safety zone in the kitchen and trying new dishes and exploring different flavours……no longer sticking to traditional cooking that i grew up with…green seasoning..onion..garlic..pepper…lol
loved seeing the pictures of your daughters. what a great way to advertise your site. can't wait until i am done college to enjoy your recipes. hope to win the book.
Love Love the stew/curry chicken recipe !
Hi Chris. I tried your Oxtail in Guinness recipe from several months back, but found it a bit too bitter. I then substituted the Guinness with Malta and the result was splendid! Thanks for the idea.
Hi Chris!! My favorite is the oven bbq chicken- but the jerk chicken is a close runner up.
I love the jerked chicken. Best version I've made.
I've been looking for a Plantain Recipe
Hi Chris, My girlfriend that I converted to be my wife, is also named Chris, she's from Jamaica and she can coooook. Any way in my earlier years I use to have a Latina girlfriend (Dominicana) who use to make
tostones, loved it then and gonna be making some this superbowl weekend, with ackee & codfish + BBQ
spare ribs …. Jamaican style of course …. jerk sauce and all that good stuff.
Ken
My best chicken is barbecue oven chicken Chris. yea! yea!
Hi Chris,i love plantain fry or boil never fry it like that before ,i cut it very thin and then fry ,this is a must try .
You help me to keep my husband happy…thanks !!!
I just love your recipes so easy to follow
Hi Christ i love all your recipes i would say your Chinese style chicken and your classic jerk chicken where the ones that stand out love them all…….
Great receipes, Cant stop watching the videos. I have even shared with my friends
Louise, Love the Jerk Chicken Wraps, waiting to get this great book
hi Chris, my favorite recipe is the oven BBQ chicken. I tried it last time and got great results. Thank you for the recipe
Jerk chicken! Yummm!
I make these all the time but with some yellow mix with the green, and it's so good…….
Hi Chris…was'nt as easy as i thought, but got to go with the Jamaican jerk chicken.
I cook a lot and make some of the same dishes you make but always find a little something to add to what I already do to make my dishes really good. Thanks for all the video showing us what the dish is suppose to look like too.
HI Chris -i really love this recipe and many others over the years-i have many trees bearing and only today i pick a bunch so my family will feast on it-when you visit Trinidad get intouch with me i will email you with the cell no pay me a visit-
Love all ur recipes!! sign me up for the cookbook!! whoo hooo
Love your recipes. The vegetarian fried rice came out tasting really good. The whole family loved it. Thanks
I'm from Honduras and I loveeeeeee fried green plantain!!!!!!!!!!
I must admit I like my plantain the way my grandma always made it (fried) or baked like in your video but I'd try this. Please enter my name for the book and keep on cooking!
i got excited thinking this was your cooking book. I'd really like to buy a hard copy of your ebook. lol somehow that sounds rather sexual. lol
Thanks for the great job you do. Geera Chicken is one of my favorites
Chris that’s what I like SIMPLE and tasty, you really can’t get simpler. What about cinnamon plantain I could never get that right. I enjoy watching you cook you make it such fun that I am beginning to enjoying it too.
Thanks
hi chris I have tried your jerk chicken wings also your bbq oven chicken and it was great I hope I can get one of your cook book from Erica.
love all your recipes, i have tried quite a few and the food came out amazing
Chris u got some very good choices of West Indian foods love them.
Hope i can be the winner of the book if not i will like 2 purchase one very soon .
I just love 2 cook.
I found the Jamacan Jerk recipe with chicken simply too good. I make the jerk marinade and we eat it like ketchup in this house
Jerk Chicken Wraps is one of my favorite recipe, love, love, love it!!
Jerk Chicken!
Hi Chris, I love ur recipes….. help me to learn a lot about using simple things to make something extraordinary.
Tks a mil!
love the jerk chicken
Hello Chris, all your chicken recipes are great but your chicken stew curry is the best!
How interesting… I saw Daisy ("Daisy Cooks") make this, and thought that it was a Spanish treat alone.
Love all you receipes so far. My favourite chicken receipe is Oven BBQ chicken. I would love to win this book. My cooking has become so easy since I stumbled on your site and I have introduced some of my friends to it. Keep them coming.
Those tostones looks great, will have to make them soon.
Chris I love your Recipes!!!!! I would love to have a cook book ,
I would definitely enjoy a cookbook to add to my collection 🙂 And I will absolutely be trying out the twice fried plantains. We already make chips out of them, but making tostones sounds like fun!
I love your Chicken fried rice. My favorite so far. But seriously all your dishes look awesome, I have learned to cook since the age of 10 but I love to follow your Trini receipes.
any of the receipe with chicken wings can work for me!!
The Ultimate Jerk Chicken — definitely a keeper recipe. MMM…memories of Jamaica!
Love your recipies tried most of them
Chris, I can't get enough of your Caribbean recipes here in cold wet England!
wow – a carribean chicken cookbook! The plantations look wonderful. I will be showing this to my brother in law. can't wait to try them.
Jerk Chicken Wrap!
Jerk chicken ah de best!!!
love your recipe easy to follow……….so thanks for sharing your love of cooking im enjoying trying them.
am going to try this one. never knew about fry green plantin. thanks
nice so easy
I like the stew chicken.
I made the Island style strip chix with the mango honey barbecue sauce and its absolutely fabulous!
Jerk chic
Tried ur oxtail recipe everyone loved it thanks
I've never done fried plantains like this, I'll have to try this next time.
I must have this book because I watch all the Carribean Pot YouTube videos and then I go to the store
curry/stew chicken saved my life in university. couldnt cook anything else as yet
Love your recipes……..hope I win the book!……
I made Tostones this morning and its really really good and even better with the ranch dressing.
the recipes are so easy to follow
Really enjoy doing recipes from this site
I really like the 5 spice chicken on d grill. It came out perfect. A real hit at my family get together
Jerk Chicken Wraps. 🙂
Pretty new to all this but I think the Tamarind Chicken sounds fab!
I'd
Love to win your book!
I can always learn new ways to fix chicken! I think you should have a cooking competition.
always going to be the ultimate curry chicken for me …yaay!!
My best chicken recipe so far is Ultimate Jerk chicken in the oven. The ingredients not only taste good but smell good too! Never liked the pre sold seasoning and now I know how I never have to use those pre bought; I can make it myself and it better than any restaurant.
Myrt’s
P.s Please enter my name for the cookbook
was frying nuff plantain over the weekend but yeah might try this one never done them like that before mmm nice 🙂 so my fav Chicken dish i have seen from you is Island Style Chicken Strips. I hope I win
Love all your recipes! Keep them coming! Thanks!
Island Style Chicken Strips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love it
always going to be the ultimate curry chicken..yaay!! enter me to win
Last time I had tostones was in Puerto Rico, can't wait to make them here.
Also, I had to send your great recipe for hops bread to a Trinidad friend! Go figure.
Love this. I make them often, but the can method is a great idea. Thanks
Chris, like your style of cooking, thanks for the good recipes, now hook me up with that book 🙂 all the best, hope to see yuh in 5 days 🙂 take care.
My daughter who is in Japan called me all excited about your wonderful recipes, because she knows how much i love to cook and feed everyone, now i'm hooked i thank you for putting it out there, the lewis family thanks you, God Bless you.
Hi Chris, Sharon here from London love most of ur chicken dishes would like a copy of ur book
Hey Chris, My family enjoys yours recipes so simple and easy. Thanks for sharing. Please enter my name 🙂
Yum…….send me the cookbook. Pleeeeeeeeeeez!!!!!
Normally I just fry ripe plantains but this is interesting. Can't wait to try it!
curry chicken any day for me, just love anything with curry.
always going to be the ultimate curry chicken for me …yaay!!
Hey Chris I would love to win this, please consider me.
Chinese style chicken
Jerk chicken!
This is great. I am always looking for new recipes to make for myself and my family. I love cooking because it is relaxing and I enjoy watching people eat food that I prepared. Thanks for this opportunity.
I just made some fried plantains this weekend! I didn't know that when you flatten them they are called Tostones. I love them too! Thanks Chris
i tried the chinese style fried chicken and luvvvv ittt
..
By the way…can't wait to try making the Tostones!!
Trying this tonight.:)
hi chris , love your recipes also bought your book .hopeing to try some for the dishs soon. i really hope to win this one .i have a very big family soo more styles of cooking is always welcomed. thanx chris.
Luv it……gonna make this for dinner later
Thats, great!!! I'd love to win the book to try those recipes here in Rio de Janeiro!!!!
Really enjoy how thorough your recipes are. Makes then easy to follow. Thanks.
I want your book. Love your recipes. So simple to follow!! Please enter me to win 🙂
Hi Chris .. I must say your mouth watering recipes make me hungry every time !!! .. My favorite chicken dish is 5 Spice Chicken On The Grill.
The recipe looks great. I'll be sure to try it soon.
Would love to try this.
I want this Book! I love your curry chicken recipe! I am addicted to curry chicken! (All curry actually!)
My favorite chicken dish is chicken and spinach and coconut milk omg the best dish in the world
Chris the Classic jerk chicken wings were a big hit during my husbands football gatherings with his buddies! So many have asked for the recipe and he wont give it out lol. We have tried many of your recipes and I can honestly say we loved them all. Thanks again 🙂
I really like that fact that you show and explain each step. Makes it that much easier when someone is trying it for the first time 🙂
Hi Chris I have really enjoyed your recipes over the past year or more. You have definitely sparked up my dinners with the amazing choices you have for Caribbean cooking. My favorite chicken recipe (and my family's) is you ultimate curry chicken. My family will request it at least once a week. They also have a very close second and that's your finger licking bbq grilled chicken. Now I could go on and list much more but you are only asking for the one lol. I and my family would really appreciate winning your cook book it would become a family member as well,,lol. If I was a twitter person or had a facebook page trust me i would be leaving comments all over the place there.
stay safe and be blessed
Arleen from Ajax Ontario
I really love your recipes Chris! At the moment I have lots of time on my hands so trying out new ones is something I do often. Thanks!
Your jerk chicken recipe is quite easy to make and it is also very delicious
please pick me i'm a new bride and i need this cookbook to keep my husband happy 🙂
Thank you Chris! Finally see how to do it right. Thank you again. As a child I loved eating these with tin mackerel 🙂
Luv this recipe. Looking forward to your calorie postings for each meal in the future.. Well done
Hi Chris,your selection of recepies are always very easy to prepare and delicious….looking forward to that cook which i am sure would have wonderful easy to make recipes..take care ..
Great Cooking Chris,
Thanks
FINALLY! A recipe that I can actually follow for this dish. As always, you're the best, Chris! 🙂
Love ur recipes… Can watch ur videos all day n not get bored
Chris the 5 piece chicken on the grill has been a favorite of ours also. during the summer months of pool parties and enjoying friends over this was a must! Although we cooked more then 5 pieces lol..Thanks again for sharing 🙂
Looking good Chris!!!
Love your site, thanks Chris….I am a Jamaican living on the southern caribbean coast of Costa Rica and have most if not all of your recipes ingredients available to me , mostly locally grown and organic !!!
Life is good…
Looks so good, will have to try!
Hi Chris,
I'm a big fan…will try this recipe sometime.
My favorite chicken recipe is "BBQ Chicken In The Oven" I made it recently and it was moist and delicious! Keep up the great work!
wickedly simple, my type of cooking….u are de boss Chris, keep it up!!!!
Hi Chris. My favourite is five spice chicken on the grill. Keep those recipes coming. Thanks for them. Please enter my name for the cookbok draw.
Hello Chris, the chicken soup for the soul has been a favorite in our home for a long time. Specially this time of year here in Michigan. the flu has been bouncing around and it just makes us feel so much better after a good hot bowl of this soup. I make big batches of it and freeze it as well so we have an abundance at anytime 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your recipes with us. delish!
Hi Chris, I have tried a lot of your recipes and I must say it has all been full proof so far.
My husband loves his Trini cooking. My daughter does too, although she grew up in America from a few months old. The only difference is that my husband loves the spicy foods. So I tweek the recipes to suit him.Thanks for a job well done. Please enter my name to the cookbook giveaway.
Gonna try this recipe soon. i love shrimp and i love squash.
Always looking for a new way to make the only meat my 3yr old eats! I would love this
Hi Chris, love your recipes. Hope I win the book.
I love your recipes.
I can't decide which chicken recipe I like best!. I'll go with "An Alluring Caribbean Chicken Soup". It's much like the Jamaican chicken soup my mother makes. Tied for second are 5 Spice Chicken on the Grill and Caribbean Tamarind Grilled Chicken.
I LOVE THIS RECIPE. MY DAD DOES THIS TOO BUT HE NORMALLY USE GREEN BANANAS AND FRY THEM IN COCONUT OIL ALONG WITH THE SAME PROCESS
I like your stew/curry chicken the best!
absolutely delicious! thanks chris.
Hi Chris, loved the jerk chicken wraps, hoping to win the book.
Dave
My Favarite chicken dish is Roasted Chicken … i made it with hops and my husband and son loves it.
I'm soooo going to make this, it would go well with my low-carb diet! Thanks!
Nice & easy. Gonna make this for the kids tonight.
Hi Chris…..Love your recipes…..You save me plenty of night Lol….Please enter my name for the cookbook….Thanks
MANY THANKS CHRIS, I`M REALLY ENJOYING YOUR RECIPES , THANK GOD, HE BLESSED YOU WITH WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING TO PUT A RECIPE TOGETHER, IT`S A GOD GIVING GIFT.
THANK YOU.