Plato Típico Hondureño

  • Total time - 1 hour 30 minutes (plus meat marinating)
  • Active preparation - 60 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Honduras
A large plate of Plato Típico, containing grilled beef, chorizo slices, rice, bean mash, fried plantains, cheese, and fresh salsa.

Plato Típico consists of several small dishes that are prepared separately and finally arranged on one large plate. It's an ideal recipe for family cooking where you can involve multiple hands to prepare different components simultaneously.

Key elements include Carne Asada (grilled beef) and Plátano Maduro (fried ripe plantains) for the sweet contrast. For an authentic touch, use Honduran sour cream (Crema or Mantequilla Rala).

Ingredients

I. Grilled Meat (Carne Asada & Chorizo)

  • 400 g Beef flank steak (or grilling beef)
  • 4 pcs Chorizo sausage (or similar pork sausage)
  • 0.25 cups Lime juice
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Cumin, ground
  • 1 to taste Salt and black pepper

II. Sides and Accompaniments

  • 1.5 cups White rice, cooked
  • 1.5 cups Refried Red Beans (Bean Mash), warm
  • 3 pcs Ripe Plantains (Maduros), sliced and fried
  • 100 g White cheese (Queso Fresco/Cotija/Feta), crumbled
  • 4 Tbsp Honduran Crema (or thick sour cream)
  • 1 pc Avocado, sliced
  • 8 pcs Corn tortillas, warm

III. Chimol Salsa

  • 2 pcs (medium) Tomato, finely chopped
  • 0.5 pc Red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.25 cups Cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Lime juice
  • 1 to taste Salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Meat and Marinade

Place the slices of beef steak in a shallow dish. Mix the lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour the marinade over the meat, rub it in well, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (ideally 2 hours).

Step 2: Preparing the Sides

Rice: Cook white rice according to the instructions, or cook it with a little sautéed onion and pepper for more flavor.

Bean Mash: Heat the refried red beans (Frijoles Fritos) in a pan with a little oil or butter until warm and creamy. Keep warm.

Plantains (Maduros): Peel the ripe plantains, slice them, and fry them in hot oil until they are dark-golden and caramelized. Pat off excess fat with a paper towel.

Step 3: Grilling the Meat

Preheat the grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the beef steak for 2-4 minutes per side (depending on desired doneness).

Grill or sear the Chorizo sausages until cooked through (about 8-10 minutes), turning them often. Slice the meat and sausage into smaller slices/pieces and keep warm.

Step 4: Preparing the Chimol and Assembly

In a bowl, mix the chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix well.

On a large plate, serve a portion of rice and warm bean mash. Arrange slices of grilled meat and sausage alongside.

Add a piece of fried plantain. Sprinkle with crumbled cheese and drizzle with crema.

Add avocado slices and a large spoon of Chimol salsa. Serve with warm tortillas.