A Delicious Recipe For Cuban Rice With Plantain

Cuban rice is a fixture in Spanish gastronomy. Although the name is reminiscent of the Caribbean islands, it actually originates from the Canary Islands. This dish is recognized worldwide and we see the influence of Cuba in the ingredients. Plantain and rice are two commonly used ingredients in this cuisine.

Cuban rice is a simple dish with a special taste

Rice is always present in the different cuisines in all its varieties. Think, for example, of long, red and wild rice, but also of carnaroli, brown rice and rice for paella… It is used to prepare all kinds of delicious dishes such as:

• Paella
• Risotto
• stir-fries
• Cuban style rice

The latter is quite easy to make, but it’s important to find the right way to cook the rice. For the rest, you simply rely on the quality and taste of a good ingredient.

The interesting thing about this recipe is that you can achieve an exceptional combination of flavors and textures with four humble, affordable and common ingredients. Try this recipe at home. Below you will find the steps, tips and other information to prepare it successfully. This recipe is for four servings, but you can adjust it to your liking.

Ingredients

• 800 grams of rice for paella
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 plantains
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 eggs
• 100 ml homemade tomato sauce
• olive oil
• 1 sprig of parsley
• salt
• 2 liters of water (use vegetable stock or chicken stock for a more intense flavor)

Instructions

• First, put a frying pan on the stove with a little olive oil in it.
• Then add the two peeled cloves of garlic and fry until golden brown. Then add the rice, bay leaf and salt to taste.
• Now add the water and let it boil over high heat for the first three minutes. Then cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for another 17 minutes. After this time, turn off the heat and let it rest for another five minutes.
• Then put a good amount of oil in a small pan and put it on a medium heat.

• Break the eggs into a glass and add them to the pan one at a time when the oil is hot and starting to smoke a little. Bake them for 20 to 30 seconds while pouring oil over them with the spatula. Drain the eggs and remove them from the pan. Repeat this process with the remaining eggs.
• Peel the plantains and cut them in half lengthwise. Bake the slices in the same frying pan you used to fry the eggs. You can lightly dust them with flour if you wish. They should be well browned and ready in about three to four minutes.
• Heat the tomato sauce and finely chop the parsley.
• Serve the rice with the tomato sauce.
• Add a few slices of plantain, an egg, and garnish with chopped parsley.

This meal should be eaten immediately after serving. In fact, the fried egg should be eaten when it has just been removed from the pan. To make it ahead of time, pre-cook the rice and tomato sauce and finish the recipe when you’re ready to serve.

tasty tips

This recipe is a main course and actually a whole meal. Rice is rich in nutrients, so include it as part of a well-balanced healthy diet. Whole grain rice is particularly rich in:

• fiber
• vitamin B
• carbohydrates
• potassium
• phosphorus
• magnesium

Both rice and banana provide a lot of energy and the combination is ideal for people who exert considerable physical and intellectual effort, such as children and athletes. The fiber in the rice helps regulate intestinal transit and gives a feeling of fullness. Some people eat it with sausage or a piece of meat, although the egg also provides protein.

Some useful tips for a perfect Cuban rice

This recipe is affordable and quite easy to make, so anyone with a basic level of experience in the kitchen can make it. There are a few things to keep in mind to get it just right.

The use of round rices is common in the preparation of dishes such as paella, boiled rice and stews. Any kind of long grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, is well suited for al dente rice.

As for the tomato sauce, a homemade sauce will of course make your dish tastier. It will certainly take more time, but you can always make a large batch and store it in the freezer in batches.

The best plantains for Cuban rice are ripe plantains. Otherwise they are not so sweet. Just make sure they aren’t too ripe or they will fall apart when you try to bake them!

The best way to eat the rice is to fork a little of each ingredient to create the perfect taste experience. You are sure to enjoy the exceptional combination of flavors and textures with our Cuban Plantain and Egg Rice.