Beef Plantain Omlettes

That Madagascar Party will never be the same again when you bring out these Beef Plantain Omelettes. They are certainly filling and a great way to bring some added exotic flavor to your event for the guests. Just don't use Bananas instead of Plantains!

3 very ripe plantains Oil for frying
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/2 pound ground beef
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon capers
1 Tablespoon sliced green olives (optional)
Salt and pepper
1/2 pound green beans, fresh or frozen, cut in 3-inch pieces
6 eggs
1/4 cup butter
Peel the plantains, cut into 2-inch thick legthwise slices, and fry in oil
till golden brown. Remove, drain, and keep warm.

In a frying pan, saute the onion, green pepper, and garlic until soft but not brown. Add the ground beef and fry at high heat for 3 minutes. Pour in the tomato sauce and add the capers and olives, if desired. Cook 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Wash the string beans and steam till tender.
Beat the eggs, adding salt and pepper to taste. Butter the sides and bottom of a round casserole and melt the remaining butter in the bottom.

Pour in *half* of the beaten eggs and cook over medium heat for about 1 minute or until slightly set. Cover the eggs with one-third of the plantain slices, following with layers of half the ground meat and half the string beans. Add another layer of plantains, the remainder of the ground beef, another layer of beans, and top with plantains. Pour the rest of the beaten eggs over the top.

Cook over low heat for 15 minutes, uncovered, being careful not to let the omelette burn. Then place in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes to brown the top of the pin~on. Serve with rice and beans. Excellent for lunch.

Plantains aren't really that sweet, so it's not too weird that I'm suggesting everyone use them in an omelette….at least I hope it isn't. Really though, you've gotta' try these omelettes.