Plantain “Arroz” A La Cubana Recipe

Name: Plantain “Arroz” A La Cubana
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Cubana Beef; 1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter; 3 sun-dried tomatoes; 1 onion; 1 fresh habanero pepper; 6 garlic cloves; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 8 ounces shiitakes or baby bella mushrooms; 1 dash salt; 1 dash pepper; 2 pounds ground beef; 1 (28-ounce) can peeled plum tomatoes; 12 ounces tomato paste; 2 bay leaves; 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped; Plantain Rice; 1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter; 3 plantains, just starting to turn yellow; 2 garlic cloves; 1 dash salt; 1 dash pepper; 1 dash sweet paprika; 1 egg per person (optional)

Servings: persons

Cubana Beef
1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter
3 sun-dried tomatoes
1 onion
1 fresh habanero pepper
6 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons fish sauce
8 ounces shiitakes or baby bella mushrooms
1 dash salt
1 dash pepper
2 pounds ground beef
1 (28-ounce) can peeled plum tomatoes
12 ounces tomato paste
2 bay leaves
1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
Plantain Rice
1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter
3 plantains, just starting to turn yellow
2 garlic cloves
1 dash salt
1 dash pepper
1 dash sweet paprika
1 egg per person (optional)

1
Heat ghee in a large pan or braiser over medium heat. In the meantime, chop onions into 1/4-inch cubes. Chop habanero into tiny pieces (including seeds), about 1/8-inch and julienne sun-dried tomatoes about 1/8-inch wide. Smash and chop garlic into little pieces. Wash and slice the mushrooms and set aside.
2
When the ghee is hot, saute onions, habanero pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes. When the onions have turned translucent, add in the garlic.
3
When the garlic has turned fragrant, lower heat a little and add in fish sauce. Keep mixing until the smell of the fish sauce has evaporated.
4
Increase heat to medium-high and saute in the mushrooms. Add in salt and pepper.
5
When the mushrooms have shrunk, add in the ground beef. Stir until the beef is completely incorporated. Cook until the beef is browned.
6
Add in canned peeled tomatoes and tomato paste. Let boil for about 3 minutes then adjust heat to low. Add in bay leaves. Cover pan and let simmer for 40 minutes for all the flavors to meld.
7
In the meantime, chiffonade the fresh cilantro.
8
After 40 minutes, check the pot and adjust taste with salt and pepper. Mix in cilantro and cook for one minute more.
9
Smash and chop garlic into tiny pieces. Set aside. Chop plantains into 1/8-inch cubes. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
10
Heat ghee in a large saute pan or wok. When hot, cook in the garlic until fragrant.
11
Saute in seasoned plantains, making sure to incorporate them completely with ghee and garlic. Let sit and mix only every 3 to 4 minutes to let the plantains touching the pan caramelize. Keep doing this until you are happy with the volume of caramelization.
12
Serve on individual plates with the Cubana beef with a slightly runny sunny side egg on top. If you want to forego the eggs, serve family-style in two separate serving dishes.

1115

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 23 ingredients. The key ingredients include: Cubana Beef, 1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter, 3 sun-dried tomatoes, 1 onion, and more.

Yes, Plantain “Arroz” A La Cubana falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Plantain “Arroz” A La Cubana

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions