Sweet Plantain and Chocolate Empanaditas

On Sunday night, while enjoying a slight reprieve from the intense Indianapolis heat (it was only 89 degrees Sunday, as opposed to 99 during the earlier week), your intrepid intern sat down to watch"The Motorcycle Diaries". This biopic movie is the tale of 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara--the man the world would eventually know as iconic Marxist leader Che Guevara--his friend Alberto, and their dream to see as much of the South American continent as they can in 4 and a half months. The two climb aboard Alberto's rickety old motorcycle, dubbed "The Mighty One", and quickly find themselves in a ditch on the side of the road. The Mighty One unfortunately doesn't last long (the title is slightly misleading; I apologize to all of you hoping for lots of motorcycle action shots) and the two friends must find other ways of travelling across the country side. Along the way, Ernesto encounters the extreme poverty and ignored classes of the Latin American world that would ultimately influence his revolutionary ideals. No matter what your politics are or what your opinion of Che is, the movie is undeniably inspirational, beautiful and thought provoking, with a heart wrenching soundtrack. So what does all of this have to do with chocolate? Since the movie has filled my head with the sights, sounds, and history of Latin America, I thought it would be an excellent chance to present this sweet plantain and chocolate empanaditas recipe. Empanaditas are sweet or savory pastries that are popular throughout Spain and Latin America in case you are wondering--it's okay, I didn't know what they were at first either. Perhaps after making this succulent dessert, you yourself will be inspired to hop on a rickety old motorcycle, travel the world around you, and fight to change injusticse you see along the way! Or you can take your empanaditas, pop in a DVD of "The Motorcycle Diaries", plop down on the couch, and enjoy Che's adventures instead. No motorcycle required!

Sweet Plantain and Chocolate Empanaditas

Prep time: 40 minutes Cook: 28 Minutes

1 cup (1-inch-thick) sliced soft black plantain (about 1/2 pound)

2 tablespoons fat-free sweetened condensed milk

2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

6 tablespoons ice water

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

Cooking spray

5 teaspoons 2% reduced-fat milk, divided

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate mini chips

1. Cook plantain in boiling water 10 minutes or until tender;drain. Combine plantain and condensed milk in a bowl, and mash with a potato masher. Set aside.

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with knife (this is important because you need to get as close to the exact amount as possible). Combine 1/2 cup flour, ice water, and vinegar, stirring with a whisk until well blended to form a slurry. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add slurry, tossing with a fork until moist.

3. Slightly overlap two sheets of plastic wrap on a damp surface. Place dough on plastic wrap. Gently press dough into a 4 inch circle; cover with two additional sheets of overlapping plastic wrap. Roll covered dough into an 18 x 12-inch rectangle; freeze 10 minutes or until plastic wrap can be easily removed.

4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

5. Remove plastic wrap; place dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 24 circles using a 3-inch round cutter. Place circles on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray, and lightly moisten edges of dough with water. Spoon 2 teaspoons plantain mixture into each circle. Fold dough over filling; pinch edges together to seal. Brush tops of dough evenly with 1 tablespoon 2% milk; sprinkle evenly with granulated sugar.

6. Bake at 400 degrees F for 17 minutes or until lightly browned.

7. Combine chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons 2% milk in a small bowl, and microwave at HIGH 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Drizzle melted chocolate over empanaditas. Serve warm. Makes 2 dozen (serving size: 1 empanadita).

"Let the world change you and you can change the world"-Che Guevara