We do not know whether or not this dish is originally from Cuba. We can only assume that this dish was introduced to the Philippines by the Spaniards. “Arroz” means rice. Arroz a la Cubana is basically a stew using ground beef instead of chunks, and served with fried egg (sunny side up!), slices of fried saba bananas and steamed or boiled rice.
Saba banana has thick yellow-brownish skin and is never eaten raw. It can be boiled or steamed in its skin, peeling it just before eating. This humble banana can be transformed to a numberof simple yet amazing and nutritious desserts.
For your convenience, use plantain similar to one used in Carribean cuisine.
Serve with plain boiled rice.
2 smallbell peppers, cut in thin strips (red and green bell peppers make the dish look festive)
2 tablespoonsraisins (optional)
1 tablespoonminced garlic
1 largeonion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cuptomato sauce
finely chopped fresh parsley, to taste
1 pinchbasil
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoonsolive oil
2 tablespoonslight soy sauce
1/4cupvegetable oil
salt and pepper
6 eggs, fried sunny-side-up
4 largeplantains, each sliced diagonally into 3, fried
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Instructions
Heat a heavy skillet. Add 1/4 cup of cooking oil. Heat to smoking point. Add the cubed potatoes and carrots. Stir-fry until the edges turn light brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Pour off the oil from the skillet. Add ground beef, breaking it up. Lightly season with salt and pepper, add soy sauce. Cook over high heat until the meat is no longer pink.
Add the garlic, chopped onions, bell peppers and raisins, if using. Cook, stirring, just until the vegetables start to soften. Add bay leaf.
Add the tomato sauce. Stir to blend well. Add peas. Stir and cook then add in the stir-fried carrots and potatoes. Simmer to absorb the sauce. Add the basil and parsley. Give it one last stir then turn off the heat. Remove bay leaf.
Serve with rice, an egg and fried bananas on the side.