Cheesy plantains with mango salsa (vegan!)

Mmmmmmm this tasty dish was inspired by a friend who made a similar Columbian style meal one time and I fell in love with the flavors. The original dish had used guava paste, which I do not have, but we do have some gourmet mango salsa on hand that one of our best friends got us as a holiday gift!! Any tropical flavor will do. Since my original encounter with this type of dish I have adopted a more vegan lifestyle, meaning that soy cheese will have to do as a substitute, but damn it's so good you'd never even know! Here's my version of these dressed up plantains with a kick- very quick and easy (our style of cooking) so I hope you'll try it and enjoy!!

Ingredients:

- 1 ripe plantain

- Coconut oil cooking spray or coconut oil

- Gourmet mango salsa, guava paste, or any other tropical fruit topping with a kick! (Buy it store bought, or make your own by combining fresh chopped mango, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, jalapeños for a spicy kick, a dash of vinegar and some garlic)

- ½ a package of soy mozzarella cheese (or real mozzerella if you insist)

- Sea salt

- Black pepper

- Teaspoon of brown sugar (optional)

- Teaspoon of garlic (optional)


Directions:

Prepare a frying pan with a good spray of coconut oil or a very thin layer of coconut oil. Put stove on medium heat. Use a knife to assist in peeling the plantain (unfortunately they aren't always as easy to peel as bananas!) I usually cut it right down the middle and remove the peel in one piece. Slice the plantain into many round discs, and then toss the discs into your pan. Allow to simmer and flip until each side is a golden brown color. Sprinkle on a dash of salt, a dash of pepper, and if you choose to, your teaspoon of brown sugar and garlic. Don't allow to burn, once these guys turn black they usually don't taste too good. While cooking, slice up mozzarella cheese into small cubes. Once plantains have been flipped and browned on both sides while absorbing the spices and flavors, throw in the cheese and stir and flip mixture until cheese is melted. Use a spatula to serve the cheesy plantains onto a dish, where you can compliment them with your mango salsa or fruit paste on the side for dipping. Enjoy!