Sopa de Platano (Plantain Soup)

Method9 steps · about 1 hr 5 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Heat the olive oil (2 tablespoons) in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion (1 Small), carrot (1 Large), and celery (1). Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

   Soften onion carrot and celery · 5 minUses 2 tablespoons Olive Oil · 1 Small Onion (finely diced) · 1 Large Carrot (small dice (about 1 cup)) · 1 celery stalk, finely diced

2. 2

   Step 2: Add the garlic (3–4), cumin (½ teaspoon), salt (¼ teaspoon), and black pepper (¼ teaspoon). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

   Cook garlic cumin and seasonings · 1 minUses Sauteed vegetable base · 3–4 garlic cloves, minced · ½ teaspoon Cumin · ¼ teaspoon Salt (plus extra at the end if needed) · ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

3. 3

   Step 3: Peel the firm green plantains (2 large), cut into half-inch (1.3 cm) rounds and stir them into the prepared aromatic base.

   Uses Prepared garlic-cumin vegetable base · 2 large firm green plantains (about 1 1/4–1 1/2 lb), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds

4. 4

   Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth (6 cups) and add the bay leaf (1). Stir well, gently scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.

   Uses Prepared base with sliced green plantains · 6 cups Chicken Broth · 1 Bay Leaf

5. 5

   Step 5: Raise the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil (about 4–5 minutes). Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 35–40 minutes, or until the plantains are tender. Stir occasionally, lowering the heat if needed as the soup thickens.

   Simmer plantains · 40 minUses Green plantains in seasoned chicken broth

6. 6

   Step 6: The plantains should be soft enough to break apart with a wooden spoon. If they’re still firm, continue cooking for another 10 minutes, then check again.

   Extra ten-minute simmer only if plantains still firm · 10 minUses Plantain soup after 35–40 minute simmer

7. 7

   Step 7: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the cooked soup and add the separate optional extra salt only if needed.

   Uses Soup with plantains tender enough to break with spoon · Additional salt to taste at end, optional; amount unspecified

8. 8

   Step 8: Serve the soup as it is, or take it off heat and let simmering stop before immersion-blending or partly mashing. For a countertop blender, cool as its instructions require and work in small batches. If the finished soup is too thick, add a little of the separate optional finishing broth at a time.

   Uses Tender cooked plantain soup with bay leaf removed · Additional chicken broth as needed to thin blended soup, optional; amount unspecified

9. 9

   Step 9: Garnish with chopped cilantro (or parsley) and crushed plantain chips, and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

   Uses Finished plantain soup at desired texture · Chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish, optional; amount unspecified · Crushed Plantain Chips for garnish (optional) · Limes for serving (optional)