Filipino Arroz Ala Cubana Recipe

Arroz Ala Cubana is a Filipino dish that contains seasoned ground beef, fried ripe plantain, and fried egg which is served with white rice. This dish is an example of a Filipino food with Spanish influence with variations found in Cuba and other Latin American countries.

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• Recipe Ingredients
• Step by Step Instruction
• Variation
• Frequently Asked Question
• 📋 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

Since the Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years, this had a heavy influence on Filipino cuisine. While living in the Philippines, you can see many Filipino food that has a Spanish twist.

For example, in the Philippines, we have our sweet version of ensaymada bread and leche flan. Or if you are looking for a meat dish, we have chorizo or embutido all of which are Spanish-influenced Filipino cuisines.

In this post, I have made a delicious recipe called Arroz ala Cubana which is a full meal since it has ground beef and egg served as a protein; rice as carbs, and fried plantain as adding sweetness. The dish has a combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. If you are familiar with South American cuisines, you will realize they have their variation of this recipe which is slightly different.

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make a Filipino Arroz A la Cubana recipe:

Ground Beef: Ground beef is the main protein for this dish which is cooked with onion and garlic to develop a savory flavor.

Plantain: I am using a local Filipino ripe plantain which is sliced and fried until golden brown, providing a sweet and caramelized contrast to the savory elements.

Red Onion and Garlic: These aromatic ingredients form the flavor base of many Filipino dishes and they are both sautéed together to create a fragrant and flavorful dish.

Egg: The egg is typically fried and served on top of the dish

Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Although optional, but they add color, texture, and a variety of flavors to the dish. These include green peas, carrots, and corn.

Tomato Paste: The tomato paste adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps create a thick, hearty sauce

Soy Sauce & Oyster Sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and savory umami flavor to the dish. Oyster sauce enhances the depth of flavor with its rich, slightly sweet, and savory notes.

Raisins: This one is used to add sweetness to the dish.

White Rice: The rice is the main essential component of this recipe which you serve together with egg, ground beef, and plantain.

Step by Step Instruction

I. Cooking the Ground Beef

• Firstly, I heat the oil in the pan on medium heat. Once hot, I added and then sautéed the garlic and onion till it turned translucent.
• Next, I added the the ground beef to the pan and cooked until it was browned. Make sure the juice is almost evaporated. You don't want to have a watery ground beef.

• Next, I poured the soy sauce and oyster sauce and stirred well for a few minutes before adding the tomato paste and stirring again.
• After that, I added the frozen mixed vegetables and raisins. Stir for a few minutes to let it cook. Once done, set aside.

II. Frying the Plantain

• I removed the skin and sliced the plantain into two.
• In a separate pan, I fried the sliced plantains in a little oil until they turn golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain them on paper towels. Set it aside.

III. Assembling the Arroz Ala Cubana

• In this final step, I placed a serving of white steamed rice on a plate. And then followed by the seasoned ground beef mixture on the side of the rice.
• Top with the sunny-side-up egg and place the fried plantains on the side too. Bon Appetite!!

Variation

This seasoned ground beef is similar to Filipino giniling or Cuban Picadillo. Here are the delicious recipes if you are looking for separate recipe of the ground meat:

1. Chicken Giniling
   
2. Beef Giniling
   
3. Beef Picadillo

Frequently Asked Question

1. Can I use other types of meat for Arroz ala Cubana?

Absolutely! You can use chicken or turkey as an alternative to beef.

2. What other ingredients or vegetable I can add in this recipe?

In some variation, they use bell pepper, capers or olives in their ground beef dish.

3. How do I store leftover Arroz a la Cubana?

Leftover Arroz ala Cubana can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

4. Can I freeze Arroz ala Cubana?

You can freeze for longer storage, but it is best to separate the ground beef mixture and tomato paste for better texture and taste.

5. Can I make Arroz ala Cubana vegetarian or vegan?

You can use plant-based meat like tofu or tempeh and then grind it to make into a ground meat texture.

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