Name: Smoky Plantain Crema
Yield: Makes 2 cups
Ingredients: 1 chipotle chile; 1 tablespoon Chipotle Vinegar or Spanish sherry vinegar; 2 1/2 ounces smoky bacon, diced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 poblano pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced; 1/2 large red onion, diced; 1 carrot, peeled and diced; 2 cloves garlic, sliced; 1 Scotch bonnet chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon annatto seeds; 1 bay leaf, broken in half; 1 teaspoon toasted and ground cumin seeds; 1/2 cup fresh orange juice; 1/2 cup Chicken Stock; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1/2 very ripe plantain (the skin should be almost black)

This is one of my all-time favorite sauces. It is excellent with grilled or roasted poultry or pork dishes. When I travel and cook at various events, I often include this on the menu.

This recipe is a component of Tamarind Barbecued Duck with Smoky Plantain Crema .

Recipe notes

XO Sauce

Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Spice-Grilled Pork Chops

A pinch of sugar in the spice rub ensures picture-perfect grill marks with layers of flavor.

Grape Dumplings

Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.

Sofrito Bolognese

An ex-boyfriend’s mom—who emigrated from Colombia—made the best meat sauce—she would fry sofrito for the base and simply add cooked ground beef, sazón, and jarred tomato sauce. My version is a bit more bougie—it calls for caramelized tomato paste and white wine—but the result is just as good.

Île Flottante

Originally called omelette à la neige (snow omelet) in reference to the fluffy snow-like appearance of the meringue, île flottante (floating island) has a lengthy history that dates back to the 17th century.

Fufu

Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.

Not-So-Secret Burger Sauce

Every sauce needs a few secrets. Ours is smoky, sweet, and savory—use it for burgers, fries, tenders, and more.