My Facebook friend, Miriam Santiago, was a guest on one of my segments in the past and recently sent me this recipe for a Puerto Rican Jibarito sandwich. The flavors are incredible and with the fried plantains and garlic butter spread, the sandwich makes a tasty presentation.
Jibarito Puerto Rican Sandwich (with Chicken)
makes 2 servings*
courtesy of Miriam Santiago
Jibarito (pronounced hee-bah-ree-to), a specialty of Chicago, is a sandwich made with flattened, fried green Plantains instead of bread. The original Jibarito had a steak filling (and that remains the usual variety), but it can also be made with chicken, roast pork, roast beef, and ham. The name means “little yokel.”
Ingredients
1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 1/2 tsp Adobo Seasoning (available in the ethnic aisle of most grocery stores)
1/3 cu Olive Oil
2 lg Green Plantains
2 cu Vegetable Oil (for frying)
Romaine Lettuce
Tomatoes
1/4 cu Butter
1 additional tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 cu Mayonnaise
4 slices American Cheese, or any cheese you like
Method
Chicken
Season both sides of the chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, black pepper and Adobo powder. Place chicken in a sealable bag and bathe with a 1/3 cup of olive oil. Let the flavors marry for about 1/2 hour. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and then bake the chicken, covered, until done, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes and then cut into slices.
*One pound of chicken will make two generous sized sandwiches. You can certainly use this amount of chicken for more than 2 sandwiches if you have guests with lighter appetites.
Plantains
Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a skillet until hot, 375 degrees F.
Peel the plantains and cut each in half. Then, cut each half lengthwise, to yield 8 pieces. If you want a large sandwich, then just cut the large pieces lengthwise, yielding 4 pieces.
Fry the plantains for about 3 or 4 minutes or until they float. Remove from hot oil and drain on paper towels.
Flatten the plantains with a heavy pan by pressing down on each one of them. Return the flatten Plantains the hot oil and re-fry for another 3 or 4 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the hot oil and drain on paper towels. Set them aside.
Mix 1/4 cup of butter with 1 tsp. garlic powder and put in microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or until butter is melted. Set aside
Start to build your sandwich – spread mayonnaise on the inside of each of two plantain slices. Start layering with the sliced chicken, cheese, romaine lettuce, and sliced tomatoes. Top the sandwich with the other plantain slice. Spread the butter-garlic mix on the outside of the sandwich. Stick a toothpick with pimiento stuffed olives on top of the sandwich for a nice presentation.
Enjoy! Or as we say in Puerto Rico...Buen Provecho!
Steak Version
courtesy of Miriam Santiago
If you want to make the authentic steak version, here are the steps:
Ingredients
1 lb Top Sirloin or Flank Steak (any soft steak will work)
1 lg Spanish Onion, sliced into thin rings
3/4 cu Water
1/2 cu Olive Oil
2 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt
2 tbl Distilled White Vinegar
Method
In a gallon-size plastic bag or bowl add 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar and the onion slices. Add in the meat and mix it all together, seal or cover, and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
In a heated heavy skillet, dump everything in and making sure that the steaks lay nice and flat in the skillet (don’t let them curl up), bring to a boil, turn steaks making sure that they are still laying flat and let them cook over low heat, covered for about 40 minutes or until meat is tender.
Start layering this version of the Jibarito with a 4 inch portion of steak and onions (or cut the meat into strips if you prefer). Follow the directions in the chicken version above to complete the sandwich.
Thanks again to Miriam Santiago for sharing this recipe. It's great! If you have any comments or questions, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.
