{"id":"bolon_de_verde_46fa9824e5","slug":"bolon-de-verde","title":"Bolón de Verde","description":"A classic Ecuadorian breakfast staple consisting of hearty green plantain dumplings stuffed with savory cheese or crispy pork cracklings, fried to golden perfection.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":35,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 large green plantains","name":"Green Plantain","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"green","notes":"peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 tablespoons butter or lard","name":"Lard","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"softened","notes":"lard is more traditional for flavor","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"150g cheese (queso fresco or mozzarella)","name":"Cheese","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crumbled or cubed","notes":"Ecuadorian queso costeño is ideal","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"100g pork cracklings (chicharrón)","name":"Pork Cracklings","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crushed","notes":"optional but highly recommended for Bolón Mixto","group":"Filling","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"Vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for deep frying","group":"Cooking","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat about 1 cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the plantain chunks and fry for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden and soft throughout.","group":"Cooking the Plantains","title":"Heat about 1 cup of oil","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Plantains"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Transfer the fried plantains to a large bowl or a 'batán' (wooden mortar). While hot, mash them thoroughly with a masher or the back of a large spoon until a thick dough forms.","group":"Mashing","title":"Transfer the fried plantains","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mashing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the butter (or lard) and salt to the mashed plantains. Knead briefly until the fat is fully incorporated and the dough is pliable.","group":"Seasoning","title":"Add the butter and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Seasoning"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Take one portion, form it into a ball, and make a hole in the center. Fill the hole with cheese and/or pork cracklings, then seal the dough around the filling to reform the ball.","group":"Forming the Bolones","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Forming the Bolones"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"For a crispier exterior, return the formed balls to the hot oil for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a crunchy golden crust. Serve immediately while hot.","group":"Final Crisp","title":"For a crispier exterior, return the formed balls","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Final Crisp"}],"notes":"For the best results, mash the plantains while they are still hot to ensure a smooth, cohesive dough. You can use either queso fresco for a traditional salty bite or mozzarella for a gooey cheese pull.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Ecuadorian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Large skillet","Potato masher or Mortar and pestle","Large mixing bowl"],"diet":["gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":8,"unit":"ball","note":"Makes approximately 8 bolones"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can fry and mash the plantains a day ahead, but they are best formed and fried fresh to maintain texture."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to regain crispiness.","reheatingNotes":"Avoid microwaving as it makes the plantain dough chewy."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbolon_de_verde_46fa9824e5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=64ebc01c-8d09-4a72-a620-d325682cecf9","imageAlt":"Bolón de Verde — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["plantain","ecuadorian","traditional","stuffed","fried","breakfast"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Bolón de Verde","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:17:45.703Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:17:45.703Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"baleada_9f93ff550d","slug":"baleada","title":"Baleada","description":"A beloved Honduran classic featuring thick, fluffy flour tortillas filled with creamy refried beans, salty cheese, and rich crema. This traditional breakfast is hearty, comforting, and quintessentially Latin American.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Honduran"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaleada_9f93ff550d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0ab37045-c4de-4989-88b4-76f3f3ea5d43","imageAlt":"Baleada — recipe cover","tags":["baleada","honduran","beans","breakfast","tortilla","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"cachapa_2f3970e968","slug":"cachapa-venezuelan-sweet-corn-pancakes","title":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes)","description":"Authentic Venezuelan corn pancakes made with fresh corn, sugar, and salt, traditionally served folded over a thick slice of salty white cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcachapa_2f3970e968%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7eab7bcc-59ea-4cd6-baf5-4fba1fe65fdf","imageAlt":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","cheese","sweet-savory","traditional","pancakes"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}