Spicy Chipotle Steak & Plantain Sandwich Delight
Experience the ultimate fusion of flavors with this Spicy Chipotle Steak & Plantain Sandwich Delight. Inspired by the original winning recipe from Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown, this sandwich has become a flagship dish at T.G.I. Friday's. The star of the show is the perfectly grilled skirt steak, seasoned with a robust blend of Cajun spices, complemented by the crispy, sweet fried plantains that add a delightful crunch. Topped with a homemade chipotle mayonnaise and crunchy fried onions, this sandwich is not only a meal but an unforgettable taste experience. Perfect for lunch or snacks, serve it up hot and enjoy each addictive bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
26
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green plantains
2 large (peeled and cut into quarters)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Breadcrumbs
1 cup (for coating)
Cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for spice mix)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for spice mix)
Salt
1 teaspoon (for spice mix)
Paprika
1/4 cup (for spice mix)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (for spice mix)
Dried thyme
1 teaspoon (for spice mix)
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon (for spice mix)
Onion powder
1 tablespoon (for spice mix)
Skirt steak
24 ounces (trimmed)
Salted butter
6 ounces (melted)
Cajun spices
1 cup (for seasoning)
Mayonnaise
1 cup (for chipotle mayo)
Chipotle chili sauce
1 teaspoon (for chipotle mayo)
All-purpose flour
1/2 cup (for dusting onions)
Salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (for onion dusting)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for onion dusting)
Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (for onion dusting)
Onion powder
1/4 teaspoon (for onion dusting)
Cayenne pepper
a pinch (for onion dusting)
Spanish onion
1 large (thinly sliced)
Mexican blend cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling the plantains and cutting them in half widthwise, followed by cutting each half lengthwise to create quarters.
2
In a large pot or deep fryer, preheat vegetable oil to 325°F (163°C). Once heated, carefully add the plantain pieces and fry for about 5 minutes until lightly golden.
3
Once fried, remove the plantains and place them on a flat surface to cool slightly. Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (191°C).
4
Using a metal spatula, press down firmly on each plantain quarter to flatten them to about 1/4 inch thickness. Once flat, deep-fry the plantains again for approximately 3 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
5
Carefully remove them from the oil and season immediately with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Set aside to cool.
6
In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder to create the Cajun spice mix.
7
Dip each piece of skirt steak into 4 ounces of melted butter, then coat both sides with the prepared Cajun spice mix, ensuring even coverage.
8
On a hot flat top grill or large skillet, spread the remaining melted butter and cook the seasoned steak on both sides until medium-rare or to your desired doneness. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Once cooked, slice the steak thinly against the grain.
9
To make the chipotle mayonnaise, combine the mayonnaise and chipotle chili sauce in a small bowl and mix well.
10
For the onions: In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Thinly slice the Spanish onion and coat the slices with the flour mixture, squeezing them as you mix to ensure they are well-coated.
11
Carefully drop a small handful of floured onion slices into the hot oil (375°F) and fry for about 1 minute and 30 seconds or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
12
To assemble the sandwich: Start with a fried plantain on the bottom, spread 1 tablespoon of chipotle mayonnaise evenly over it. Layer with a generous portion of sliced steak and 1/3 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese. Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or use a microwave to melt the cheese thoroughly.
13
Add another 1/2 cup of fried onions on top of the melted cheese, followed by another tablespoon of chipotle mayonnaise spread evenly over a second fried plantain. Top the sandwich and press down gently.
14
Finally, slice the sandwich in half before serving to reveal its delicious layers.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is the Spicy Chipotle Steak & Plantain Sandwich Delight.
What cut of steak is used in this sandwich?
The recipe uses 24 ounces of trimmed skirt steak.
How are the plantains prepared?
The plantains are peeled, cut into quarters, fried at 325°F, flattened to 1/4 inch thickness, and then deep-fried again at 375°F until golden.
What are the two temperatures used for frying plantains?
The first fry is done at 325°F (163°C) and the second fry is done at 375°F (191°C).
What ingredients are in the Cajun spice mix for the steak?
The mix includes breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.
How do you season the skirt steak?
Dip each piece of steak into melted salted butter, then coat both sides with the prepared Cajun spice mix.
What is the recommended doneness for the steak?
The steak should be cooked to medium-rare, which takes about 4-5 minutes per side.
How is the chipotle mayonnaise made?
Combine 1 cup of mayonnaise with 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili sauce and mix well.
What type of onion is used for the fried onions?
A large Spanish onion is thinly sliced and used for the crispy fried onion topping.
How are the onions coated before frying?
They are coated in a mixture of all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
What serves as the 'bread' for this sandwich?
Fried and flattened green plantains serve as the top and bottom of the sandwich.
What kind of cheese is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded Mexican blend cheese.
How do you melt the cheese on the sandwich?
Place the assembled bottom half under a broiler for 1-2 minutes or use a microwave until the cheese is thoroughly melted.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
It is inspired by a winning recipe from Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown and is a flagship dish at T.G.I. Friday's.
How should the steak be sliced for assembly?
The steak should be sliced thinly against the grain once it is cooked.
What is the first step in assembling the sandwich?
Start with a fried plantain on the bottom and spread 1 tablespoon of chipotle mayonnaise over it.
How many plantains are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 large green plantains.
What type of oil is used for frying?
Vegetable oil is used for frying both the plantains and the onions.
How long do the onions need to fry?
The floured onion slices should fry for about 1 minute and 30 seconds or until golden brown.
Is this sandwich suitable for a snack?
Yes, it is described as being perfect for both lunch and snacks.
When should you season the plantains?
Season them immediately with salt and fresh ground black pepper after removing them from the second fry.
How much chipotle mayo goes on the top plantain?
One tablespoon of chipotle mayonnaise is spread evenly over the second fried plantain before topping the sandwich.
How much paprika is in the Cajun spice mix?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of paprika in the spice blend.
What is the purpose of squeezing the onions during coating?
Squeezing them as you mix with the flour ensures they are well-coated with the spice and flour mixture.
How much butter is used to cook the steak?
Six ounces of melted salted butter are used for dipping the steak and greasing the grill or skillet.
Can this be prepared on a flat top grill?
Yes, the steak can be cooked on a hot flat top grill or a large skillet.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 26 total ingredients listed for this recipe.
What kind of plantains should be used?
The recipe specifically calls for green plantains, which are less sweet and starchier than yellow ones.
What tags are associated with this dish?
Tags include steak sandwich, plantains, chipotle mayo, cajun spices, fried onions, and gourmet sandwich.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to slice the sandwich in half to reveal its layers.