1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 celery stalk, strings removed and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 1/2 cups homemade or canned low-sodium chicken broth, plus extra if needed
2 green plantains, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, some reserved for garnishing
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground pepper
To peel a hard green plantain, make a slit in the peel from top to bottom on each side of the plantain, and then just slip off the peel.