Chef Rosie on how she fuses her Dominican and American culture to add a twist to her cuisines

sweet plantains

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: regular bananas

Zucchini provides a lower-carb option, while regular bananas can mimic sweetness.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey reduces fat content, and ground pork is often less expensive.

cottage cheese

🥗Healthier: ricotta cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Ricotta offers a similar texture with fewer calories, while cream cheese is often cheaper.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while cheddar is often more affordable.

Peel the sweet plantains by cutting the ends and making a line across without cutting all the way through, then peel them off.

Fill a pot with water halfway and bring it to a boil.

Boil the peeled plantains for about 15 to 20 minutes until they become soft.

Cut half of a red bell pepper into small dice.

Cut half of an onion into small dice.

Mince two garlic cloves.

Sauté the diced onion and bell pepper in a skillet until softened, then add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, seasoning with salt and black pepper.

Stir in the tomato sauce and Dominican oregano, cooking until heated through.

Spread a layer of boiled sweet plantains in a baking dish to create a base.

Add a layer of the ground beef mixture on top of the plantains.

Sprinkle a layer of mixed cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the beef.

Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of plantains and a generous topping of mozzarella cheese.

Set the oven to broil at 350°F and broil for about 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens