Ham & Plantain Casserole

Sweet, salty, cheesy goodness. 

Easter is coming and if you're planning to serve ham, then this dish is perfect for your leftovers. We had some in the freezer from Christmas that needed eating and we’re in love with plantains, so I was thrilled to find a couple recipes that use both ingredients.

One Dominican recipe rolls them with cheese into an hors d’oeuvres, and a Dominica recipe (another Caribbean island, situated about 625 miles to the southeast) uses similar rolls with a cheesy béchamel sauce in a baked dish.

I decided to combine aspects of both recipes into my own layered casserole. I guess this isn’t a truly authentic Dominican dish, but it’s darn close. And, it's DELICIOUS! This definitely isn't a flavor combination that we're accustomed to, but it absolutely works - a wonderful blend of salty and sweet. This recipe serves 4 to 6, and here’s how I made it:

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp flour

3 ripe plantains, sliced into coins

2 cups leftover baked ham, cut into rough pieces

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

1 cup fat-free half-and-half

6 oz grated cheese

Cover the bottom of an 8"x8" casserole dish with a single layer of plantain coins, top them with a layer of ham and then repeat both layers.

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook for a minute or two. Whisk in the half-and-half, mustard and nutmeg. Bring to a boil and then add the cheese. Stir constantly till the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. 


Cook's Note: The kind of cheese you use really makes a difference in this dish. I used queso fresco, which I've always wanted to try, but it's not a good melting cheese that browns nicely and binds the layers together. If you want this recipe to be more like a lasagna, then I'd suggest a blend of cheddar or Manchego and mozzarella, or something similar.

Pour the sauce over the casserole. Bake in a 375° preheated oven for about 15 minutes till the sauce is bubbly. Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Servir y disfrutar! (Serve and enjoy!)