TWO EASY PANAMANIAN RECIPES

HOLADRA OR FRIED BREAD RECIPE

Hojaldre is the Panamanian equivalent of fried indian bread

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons of oil
1 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups water or milk at room tempreture
4 cups oil for frying
 Paper Towel to drain oil 

1.  Combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Water or Milk. Knead until soft but not sticky. Shape dough into balls about 3 inches in diameter. Flatten into patties 1/2 inch thick, and make a small hole in the center of each patty.
2. Fry one at a time in 1 inch of hot shortening, turning to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

Serve with beef stew, melted cheese, salsa, eggs, sausages, bacon. Great breakfast treat.

Panamanian Patacones or Fried Plantains

Patacones in Panama are like French fries in the United States.

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 cups of oil for frying
• 3 green plantains

1. Peel the plantains and cut it into 1-inch chunks.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Place the plantains in the oil and fry on both sides, approximately 3 1/2 minutes per side.
3. Remove the plantains from the pan and flatten the plantains by placing a plate over the fried plantains and pressing down.
4. Return them to the hot oil and fry 1 minute on each side. Salt to taste and serve immediately.

Serve as a side dish with rice, beef, chicken or fish, and a green salad.