What's MOPAC?

MOPAC (Meet Other People and Cook) is a unique, hip, and fun way to social network using food to make connections.

MOPAC promises that you will

*meet new people.

*get an insight into your relationship to food .

*see that you can cook exotic food easily.

*learn new techniques and methods for cooking.

*be fully engaged through our team cooking and unique culinary-related activities.

*gain confidence in cooking and social networking.

 

• MOPAC events include:
• Making exotic dishes you can replicate at home!
• Engaging in social networking activities based on food!
• You get to eat the food you create!…

Jalapeno and Garlic Plantains

Ingredients
a. Green plantain
b. Jalapeno pepper
c. Fresh garlic
d. Salt
e. Vegetable oil

Preparation
1. Chop one whole green plantain in thin slices.
2. Chop one to two cloves of garlic finely.
3. Chop one quarter to one half of a jalapeno pepper into chunks.


Cooking
4. Heat 2 – 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a saucepan on medium heat.
5. When the oil gets warm add the chopped garlic and jalapeno.
6. Let the mix simmer for 1 minute.
7. Add the plantains.
8. Let the plantains cook until they turn golden in color.
9. Sprinkle with salt
10. Serves 1

Plantains are a major food staple in Africa and South America. Plantains are in the banana family and look similar to "dessert" bananas that most people eat in cereals or smoothies. The two main plantain varieties, however, green and yellow (ripe) are cooked.

Green plantains have a neutral taste and are fried. They are usually cut thinly and spiced with seasonings like salt, garlic, parprika or cumin. Yellow plantains (or ripened plantains) are very sweet and are usually cooked in chunks and paired with salty foods like fish to balance the taste. Green plantains are usually paired with sweet tasting foods.

In cities around the U.S. immigrants from the West Indies, Africa, and South America have pushed demand for plantains making them more widely available in the United States. Plantains grow all year long making it a starch you can substitute potatoes or rice with anytime. Plantains are a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Technically plantains are a fruit. Communities in Latin America and Africa living in mountains or forests with inadequate food storage, preservation and transportation technologies thrive on plantain.

MOPAC Mojitos

Ingredients
a. white rum
b. lime
c. white granulated sugar
d. mint leaf 

Preparation
a. Chop one lime into small wedges
b. Chop 8 mint leaves finely
c. Add lime, mint and 4 tablespoons of white granulated sugar to a mortar and pestle. Using the pestle, bear down on the limes to squeeze out all the juice. The juice will become a sweet lime syrup.
d. Pour the syrup into the shaker and then add one 1/2 cup of white rum to the shaker.

f.  Add one cup of crushed ice to the shaker
g. Shake the shaker for 30 seconds then serve. 
Serves 2