Arroz a la Cubana: Recipe in 5 steps

Hello, welcome and welcome to Paulina Cocina! In this beautiful community we really like to try new things, let ourselves be surprised and, above all, learn to prepare rich dishes, simple and with history. Today we bring you a recipe for Cuba style rice.

A colorful dish that combines rice (we love rice dishes)fried banana, fried egg and tomato sauce, but that, despite its name and the mix of flavors, is not a Cuban creation, as they read it. Just as the Russian salad does not have a Russian hair, Cuban rice only has Caribbean airs, but its origin is actually Spanish.

In this note-recipe we are going to tell you more about your history and its originwhat are some of the ways to prepare it, some tips so that Cuban rice turns out super tasty and, of course, a easy recipe with the step by step to make it at home.

About Cuban style rice

Cuban-style rice is a dish that, despite its name, its creation has more to do with Spanish gastronomy than with Cuban cuisine. This dish consists of a white rice base, accompanied by fried egg, fried plantain and tomato sauce. This combination of ingredients creates a very tasty and special mix of flavors and textures.

In some countries or regions there are variations to this dish, for example, in Peru it is served with sausages, in the Philippines it is eaten with minced meat or picadillo and vegetables, and in many regions it is prepared without tomato sauce. In all cases it is called arroz a la cubana, but if we go to Cuba we probably won’t be able to find it on restaurant menus.

Cuban style rice is a very easy recipe to make, and its ingredients are usually very accessible everywhere. Its sweet and sour flavor and the combination of textures and colors make it a very fun option for the little ones in the house.

The origin of this recipe

Arroz a la cubana has an interesting history that combines Spanish and Cuban influences. Its origin dates back to the colonial era, when the Spanish brought many of its ingredients to Cuba, such as rice. Over time, this dish, and many others, have been adapted and enriched with local ingredients.

Once Cuban independence was achieved, towards the end of the 19th century, many Spaniards returned to their lands and took with them the recipes that had originated during colonization. The incorporation of the banana occurred above all in the Canary Islands, which has a large production of this food and which received a large number of expatriates.

Although the dish has something of the Caribbean, especially due to the combination of sweet and salty flavors, It is actually a recipe of Spanish origin, and many of those who returned to their land passed down these recipes from generation to generation. That is why for many Spaniards, the Cuban rice recipe reminds them of their childhood or their grandmothers.

Why is Cuban rice called?

As we mentioned before, the name of “Cuba style rice” It owes its origin to the fact that it was created on the island of Cuba, but by Spaniards during the colony, since it is not a dish that is considered typical of Cuba. In fact, in Cuba such a dish is not consumed, and the most emblematic dish with rice in Cuba is arroz congrí, which is made with black bean broth.

The Cuban rice recipe and its presentation

The presentation of Cuban-style rice is an important part of the dining experience. Although there are different ways to serve it, the classic version It consists of placing a portion of white rice in the center of the plate, accompanied by a fried egg on top and fried plantains on one side.

The tomato sauce is served separately, so that each guest can add it according to their taste. The color contrast between the white rice, the golden egg and the caramelized bananas creates a visually appealing presentation that invites you to enjoy every bite.

7 tips to make a delicious original Cuban style rice

1. choice of rice: It is important to choose a medium or short grain riceBomba type, as these beans tend to become stickier and more compact when cooked. Avoid using long grain rice because it would not have the desired texture.
2. cook rice correctly and wash it before cooking to remove excess starch.
3. Do not overdo the cooking fried egg: The yolk has to be baby, with a liquid center.
4. Fried bananas: To achieve caramelized bananas, it is important that they are very ripe. Peel the plantains and cut them into diagonal slices before frying them in hot oil. This will give you a crunchy texture outside and soft inside.
5. Homemade tomato sauce: A homemade sauce with fresh tomatoes is always a better alternative and Cuban rice is no exception. In case it is not possible try to use good quality canned tomatoes.
6. extra seasonings: Rice is a very versatile ingredient that is very good when you add some extra seasoning. A bit of garlic powder, cumin or paprika They are good options to add flavor.
7. Additional accompaniments: Cuban-style rice is a fairly complete dish in itself, but if you want to look for some Garrison extra, it goes very well with black beans, a fresh salad, sliced ​​avocado or even a little roast beef or chicken.

Easy Cuban rice recipe

• Yield: 4 portions
• Preparation time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup round grain white rice
• 2 cups of water
• 4 eggs
• 2 ripe bananas
• oil for frying
• Ketchup
• Salt to taste

How to make Cuban rice step by step

1. Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch. Take it to a pot with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to a minimum. Cook covered until the rice is tender and has absorbed the water, about 15-20 minutes.
2. While the rice cooks, peel the plantains and cut them diagonally. Fry the slices in hot oil until golden brown and caramelized on both sides. Take them out of the oil and place them on absorbent paper.
3. In the same pan, adding a little more oil if necessary, fry the eggs until the whites are set but the yolks runny.
4. Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat and let stand covered for a few minutes.
5. To serve, place a portion of white rice in the center of each plate, a fried egg on top of the rice, and a few slices of fried plantain on the side. The sauce can be served on the side or in a separate container. Let’s enjoy it!