Advertisement

This tigrillo recipe was written by John Gregory-Smith, inspired by his recent trip to Ecuador…

"A coastal breakfast with bite, tigrillo is a high-energy food that’s made with green plantains. These are less ripe than the yellow ones and better for a savoury meal. To make sure that they are really soft and tender, I soak the raw plantains in cold water for an hour before cooking."

Ingredients

  • 2 large green plantains, peeled and cut into 6cm pieces
  • 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
  • 125ml whole milk
  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 rashers streaky bacon, finely sliced
  • 4 spring onions, finely sliced
  • ½ tsp paprika, plus a little extra to garnish
  • 80g mozzarella, finely chopped
  • a handful coriander leaves, finely chopped
  • 6 eggs

Method

  • STEP 1

    Put the plantain pieces into a bowl of cold water to soak for one hour. Drain well. Put the plantain pieces into a pan of boiling water. Boil over a medium heat for 30-35 minutes or until soft. Drain well and tip into a mixing bowl. Add the peanut butter, milk, 1/2 of the butter, season well and mash together until smooth.

  • STEP 2

    Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in large non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Add the bacon and fry for 4-5 minutes or until just crisping, then scatter the spring onions into the pan and continue to fry for 1-2 minutes or until wilted. Remove from the heat, add the paprika and mix well.

  • STEP 3

    Tip the bacon and spring onions into the plantain mash, along with the cheese and 3/4 of the coriander. Mix everything together really well and season.

  • STEP 4

    Reheat the bacon pan over a high heat. Add the remaining butter and transfer the tigrillo to the pan and flatten it out with a spoon. Reduce the heat to medium and break up and turn it regularly, until crisp. It will crumble and look a little like a hash, with crunchy pieces.

  • STEP 5

    Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a medium heat with the remaining oil and cook the eggs to your liking.

  • STEP 6

    To serve, divide the tigrillo between six plates. Top each with an egg. Scatter over the remaining coriander leaves and a pinch more of paprika. Serve immediately.

Advertisement

Comments, questions and tips

Rate this recipe

What is your star rating out of 5?

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Overall rating

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement