Arroz a la cubana (Cuban-style rice) is a Spanish dish consisting of a fried egg, rice, and tomato sauce and it is very popular in the Philippines and parts of South America. This is a great week night meal since it’s simple and quick to prepare.
When I saw this dish on Skip to Malou, I had to try making it immediately as I have a weak spot for dishes with (runny) fried egg on top of rice. My children liked it because ground meat is easy for them to eat and digest and it’s tomato based. Not to mention there are bananas and raisins in it for additional flavors!
I adapted the original recipe by adding the ground pork, not just ground beef, for flavor and texture. I also added mushrooms and more veggies. It might not be “authentic” but I made sure all the good nutrition is in one dish. I can’t emphasize enough that it’s VERY easy to cook. I hope you give it a try!
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- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (sliced)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ onion (chopped)
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ carrot (chopped)
- ½ red bell pepper (sliced)
- ½ zucchini (chopped)
- 6 mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 can tomato sauce (1 can = 15 oz or 425 g)
- 1 Plantain (sliced) (I use nice firm yellow banana)
- 3-4 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp raisins
- cooked Japanese short grain rice
- Parsley (fresh)
- In a large frying pan, heat olive oil and add garlic and bay leaf until fragrant.
- Add the onion and sauté until soft.
- Add the meat and stir until the meat is cooked through.
- Add the carrot, bell pepper, zucchini, and mushrooms and sauté until soft.
- Add tomato sauce and bring it to boil. Skim off the scum and fat from the sauce. This is really important step to get refined taste so please don’t skip. After finished, lower the heat to medium low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.
- Meanwhile you can fry Plantain (banana) and eggs to your liking.
- Add oyster sauce, soy sauce and raisins and stir well.
- Serve rice on a plate/bowl and pour the sauce over. Top it with fried bananas and a sunny side up egg.
Adapted from Skip to Malou.
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Raymund
What a surprise! A Filipino recipe and I dont have a post of it yet. Love the variation it adds a difffrent dimension to the dish. I hope you post more Filipino recipes as well, I want to seee how non Filipinos prepare it in thier own wonderful ways.
[email protected]
Yum! I think what makes this dish stands out is the fried bananas. Like you said, this is perfect for a weekday meal.
Natalie
This sounds amazing Nami, I’m definitely going to try a veggie version this week, I can’t resist anything topped with a soft runny yolk either!!
[email protected] Journal
Nami, This looks simply delicious!! I love Malou’s recipes always look so appetizing and I definitely love to try this for my family. I’m sure they’ll love it very much 🙂
kat
looks perfect for the chilly weather these days!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
that looks really full of flavour-you can just see how rich it is from the photos! However I still wished I had some in front of me! 😛
Charles
Glad to see I’m not the only one who has a real weakness for dishes with fried eggs on top. When I go to the Korean restaurant near my home I have such a hard time. I like the regular bibimbap, in a hot stone bowl. By the end the rice at the bottom is crispy and delicious, but they also do a “healthy” cold bibimbap with vegetables and chestnut and stuff… this one has a fried egg! Even though I know I prefer the hot one, it’s really hard to choose!!!
Your dish looks so good Nami – I really love dishes like this, so quick to prepare, easy and delicious and of course, the egg on top… 😀
Liz
Your kids are so lucky to have such fabulous meals…this looks like a delightful dish, my friend 🙂
Sandra
I’d have egg whites only on mine and the whole egg for my family. The colors are so pretty and even without step by step photos it’s great. It came together beautifully.
Mandy - The Complete Cook Book
Wow, Nami what a unique combination of flavours, it sounds super – I am intrigued so will have to make it soon!
🙂 Mandy
Belinda @zomppa
Anything with an egg is a plus in my book. Beautiful flavors!
Vicki Bensinger
What a nice dish and with so many nutritional ingredients. I was surprised to see a Spanish dish with the soy and oyster sauce. Was that your addition? I also like the addition of raisins. A great winter meal and perfect topped with the egg. Gotta try this!
Nami
The soy sauce and oyster sauce was added by Malou (the original recipe owner), so I followed. For the 2nd time I cooked this recipe, I actually added Worcestershire sauce and it was delicious too!
chinmayie @ love food eat
Interesting combination of flavours! Sounds delish 🙂
Alyssa
This is such a great dish! My daughand rice fanatic also would love this one. I love the bananas in it too, I bet it adds a great flavor and texture. I agree, this really is a great weeknight dish!
Dmarie
that looks absolutely delish!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
This dish look so pretty as well as your photos..Nobody likes runny eggs in my family, but other than that the flavors that you pulled in this dish sound fantastic! Never had Plantains or bananas in any of my savory recipes but it does look very appealing! Have a wonderful day sweetie!!
Jeno @ Week Nite Meals
I love that you were still able to snap beautiful shots of the dish when the hungry family’s waiting! Hahah, I totally know how you must have felt, because Trini is always hovering around when I cook. Guess we can always take it as a compliment that our family really do love our food!
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies)
I think almost everything is made even better with a fried egg on top, LOL! I especially like it in dishes like this, though. My mom used to prepare a very similar dish; which reminds me…it’s been far too long since I’ve had it last! Your version looks so appetizing, Nami. 🙂
Laura @ Family Spice
I lived in Miami for four years and never heard of this dish! Love all the textures and flavors! YUM!
Jeannie
Oh this dish looks so delicious! I like the fact that it is so simple to put together:)
Heidi @ Food Doodles
Oh my goodness, that looks delicious! I’m a huge fan of anything with a fried egg on top too, for some reason that just grabs my attention more than anything, but this dish looks so good too. I love the sweet flavors from the plantain/banana and raisins but I really love all the veggies in this. Looks awesome! Will have to try this, I think my kids will enjoy it!
Eri
Wow! I never ever heard or seen this dish before! Can I skip the bananas?… Ohh what the heck, I think I’m going to try it with the bananas!! I’m getting bold and brave since I started reading your blog! 🙂 I love the sunny side egg on top!
Have a nice day Nami!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen
Oh we just love “Arroz a la Cubana” at home. It is my easiest, go-to meal and the one dish everyone in my family loves! Those plantains in your photo are so inviting, I just want to grab it! Glad you got Malou’s recipe, she makes great Filipino food! Thanks for featuring this,Nami!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks
I also love the dishes topped with a fried egg! This recipe looks and sounds delicious!
Val
This sounds fascinating. I’ve never eaten a ground beef dish that also contains raisins and bananas. How did you find those sweet flavours went with the rest of the dish? I’m not sure I’d like the combination but I love the uniqueness of this recipe!
Nami
The sweet flavors went really well with the rest of the dish. I would never think of including banana and it was such a fun dish that not only kids but we adults enjoyed it too!
balvinder
A flavourful dish with gorgeous looking fried egg on top.
Sissi
Nami, it looks fabulous and so original! The only way I knew how to cook plantains was long shallow frying with a soggy and very fatty result (although delicious). I must try to make this Cuban dish soon. I also love everything topped with a fried egg: sometimes when I don’t have time to cook and have some leftover rice, I simply warm it, put some soy sauce and a fried egg on top plus some pickles and it’s one of the best quick meals I can imagine.
tigerfish
I have a weak spot for fried runny eggs too! Over rice, noodles or just dipping a toast into the yolk….:D I like that you included more vegetables to make it more nutritional.
The inclusion of bananas is interesting – I guess that is the Cuban-style aspect.
skip to malou
One of the objectives of my blog is to introduce Filipino food to non-Filipinos. Having said that, Nami, it gives me utter joy to see you feature a recipe which I recently posted on your blog. I’m glad your whole family loved it and I love reading the comments you have in this post… as we Filipinos say… Maraming Salamat (thank you very much!)
much love,
Malou
Nami
Thank you Malou for the recipe and my family enjoyed this meal very much! 🙂
Susie
This looks delicious… I love fried eggs on dishes. YUM!
Mi Vida en un Dulce
Nami, this is delicious.
Even the name “cubana” which mean it’s from Cuba, I know it was not originated there, but it ‘s very common in Latin countries, like mine. I didn’t know it is common in Philippines, we always learn something, that is why I like international blogs (I’m mean, blog outside my country).
And talking about learning, here in Peru “Arroz a la Cubana” is also popular, but we make it very very simple, just white rice, egg and banana. I used to make it when I have nothing to cook at home….
sylvias[email protected]
fried bananas are a very interesting addition and the whole dish looks so moreish and yummy! i would definitely have to make it soon!
Jeff
Wait a second… this isn’t Japanese!!! Haha, Oh I’m hilarious… Maybe your next blog should be a Filipino one! Anyways, love the recipe! Did you like the Banana on top?
Cookinggallery
This looks so delicious, Nami, well, except for the bananas ;-)., because I’m not that into bananas. I especially like the sunny side up…hmmm, so yummy 🙂 . I’m looking forward to trying your ramen at the weekend – 2 days more 🙂 !
Suzi
I have never had anything like this before. I do like the addition of the plantains, sounds intriguing. Have a great day.
A Little Yumminess
I love anything with a runny egg on top! 🙂
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
What a gorgeous and delicious looking dish. I think the egg makes the dish!
[email protected]
Nami-what a surprise! from Japanese, to Cuban cuisine! Love the fried eggs in this delicious filling meal. Obviously, it would be for breakfast?…or any time of the day. You put it together so well, no props needed here…lol…just the yummy food!
Biana @ TastyGalaxy.com
Nami, this looks great! I am also a fan of dishes with an egg on top. I like how you are using lots of veggies in this dish – sounds delicious and healthy!
Lori Lynn
Hi Nami – the dish sounds terrific, such interesting ingredients. Love the Caribbean flavors. Great colors too.
LL
Lyn
This looks so delicious and I love easy one dish meal just like this one. We’ve never try eating bananas with rice and as you know, I’ll sure give it a try! 😉
Runny yolks are my most favorite and now both my girls are influenced by me! Haha! 😛
Cassie
This is beautiful…I love all the colors and the flavors are making my mouth water!
PolaM
Looks deliciously comforting! I think I will add it to my rice dishes lineup!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
I’m a big fan of cuban food, especially plantains! This looks so hearty and delicious, Nami!
Mr. Three-Cookies
Very interesting combination of ingredients. I have never eaten plantain prepared this way
[email protected]
Banana in a meat dish? How interesting. Love it!! 🙂
Delishhh
Wow nice little twist in your blog to have something Spanish 🙂 Very nice!
Cucina49
Oh. My. Yum. This looks hearty and warm, perfect for a winter evening!
Elies_Lie
This dish is so simple Nami and when goung to ground beef and pork with tomato based… cound me in!
even there’s no step-by-step pic ont he recipe, this recipe is bookmarking by me my friend, so tq fr sharing 🙂
Give my best hug fr ur kids and warm regard to ur husband, how sweet they are willing to waitng their mother multitasking : cooking and “blog-cooking” 😀
Have a great day to u sweethart! 😉
Hyosun Ro
Nami – This is such a beautiful dish! I am sure the flavor is amazing too. And the egg looks perfect on this dish.
mjskit
I love anything with an egg on top! 🙂 This looks delicious and looks like one of those meals that gets better with time due to all the wonderful ingredients. Of course it would be hard to wait until the next day I’m sure!
Kimby
You had me at the fried egg. 🙂 What a great recipe — I like your additions. One of my all-time favorite dishes is rice and beans with an egg on top — this bumps up the flavor even more. No need to apologize over less photos — family comes first!
sheri
Wow, it looks very full of veggies and delicious spices indeed! This is just the kind of dish I like to make. One pot, and everything all together. Thanks for sharing this interesting new (to me) recipe Nami!
wok with ray
Wow, Nami! This dish made by you will put a smile on my mom’s face if she sees this. This brings back great memories because my mom used to put a lot of extra bananas just for me because she knew that i eat more of those bananas than ground meat, hahaha!. I love that you put ground pork and mushroom. Thank you for posting it, Nami!
~ ray ~
Sharon - ChineseSoupPot.com
Hi Nami! No kidding about this dish being an easy weeknight meal. I often make simple one-dish meals with rice because they are just so quick and easy. In a way, this is like a Spanish version of the donburi. Yummy!
Tina (PinayInTexas)
Arroz a la Cubana is my mom’s favorite! I love your version of it! Looks so delicious with the addition of mushrooms!
easyfoodsmith
I have never seen pairing of bananas with a curry dish…this is so interesting. A very healthy dish with wonderful flavours and textures. Thanks for introducing a new dish.
Katherine Martinelli
This looks so good! I love anything with a fried egg on top… I can practically smell it cooking now. And that is so smart to use a firm banana instead of a plantain – I’ve been so sad that we don’t have plantains in Israel but silly me I can just use a banana! Thanks Nami 😀
Fern @ To Food with Love
ooh and i was wondering what to do with the 3 bananas I have at home…..wonderful idea!
Nash at Plateful
A delicious one pot meal. Interesting how you come up with such wonderful flavors!
Yuri
This dish looks so delicious! I have never tried or heard of this dish before. I know that I would love this one immediately when I saw your photo because of fried egg on rice! Thanks you for sharing a new type of scrumptious dish.
Chopinand @ ChopinandMysaucepan
Dear Nami,
This dish looks so hearty and delicious and your cooking skills are simply quite spectacular in dishing out so many different types of cuisines and making them look so delicious as well!
Nicole @ Bake Me Blush
This looks tasty and quick to make! I have most of the ingredients already on hand, too, so I’m printing it off to make in the near future. Also, I love the addition of the bananas! I bet that makes for an interesting flavor combo.
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything}
I love rice dishes, hubby adores them. this would make a great dinner. I have to try adding some banana instead.
Giulietta | Alterkitchen
Nami, this dish must be so good!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets
The best part is that it would be great for any meal of the day!
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb
First time I hear about this dish. Its a nice alternative to the chinese fried rice. We end up haveing lots of rice since my husband cant live without his rice. I am sure he would enjoy it as much as your family did. Just have to get some zuchini or I ll just skip this ingredient since its very uncommon here.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Wow, this looks stunning! So many great things in one dish. My husband would love the egg part of this!
mycookinghut
Such a comfort looking dish!
Lilly
The fried egg did it for me. I know my hubby would love this one also cuz his favorite food is on it: fried egg =)
Hope you’ll have a great day!!
[email protected]
Oh this would be great for a weekday dinner or a Sunday brunch. I like my egg yolks runny too lol. Another one to add to my bookmark list.
Mary
I’ve never seen this with the bananas! What a cool twist. I love it. Of course, I suspect that by putting a soft fried egg on top, you might be able to get me to try just about anything once! YUM
Terris-Free Eats Food
This will be a must try for my family! It looks so flavorful and just a bit unique with the plantain and raisins! Thank you for introducing me to a new dish!
anh
Oh this is surely comfort food! Delicious.
Carolyn Jung
It looks like total comfort in a bowl. Plus, I am a sucker for anything with a fried egg on top. 😉
Manju
looks soo very warm and comforting! The fried egg tops it off, not just literally! 🙂
Manu
Awww yum!!! This is a dish my kids would LOVE! They love eggs and rice… and mince!!! And I am sure they would not fuss about the veggies in there because they’d love the taste!!! :-)))) Well done Nami, as always! <3
Christine
This looks good. Beautiful dish.
Sook
Mmm I want this! I am hungry again! he he
Amelia
Nami, really admire your photography skill. Very beautifully taken and your food always looks so delicious and tempting.
Joanna @ Chic&Gorgeous Treats
Hi Nami! I am truly happy that you enjoyed reading my San Fran posts. I feel that my blog hasn’t been really active lately.. LOL.. Anyways that aside, I must try arroz ala cubana. That already sounds exotic. But what I love most is the tomato puree, raisins, minced meat, and bay leave involve. Great flavours and a though I am not a huge fan of runny egg, for some dishes like fried noodles or like the above, I wouldn’t mind the runny egg at all. I just like how I get to poke the yolk and mix it into a bowl of hot rice. Simply delish! Definitely will make this for my family. Have a great weekend!! Hugggss, Jo
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
Runny eggs are the bomb. I eat them all the time. I Love this recipe!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Nami,
These recipe is so delicious and comforting!! I love the different layers of ingredients and flavors 🙂
Simply Life
oh this meal looks great and your photos are stunning!
Shirley
I’ve never seen a dish like this before, but it looks so good and hearty. I love ground meat dishes with a tomato base. Thanks for sharing!
Gopal Iyer
I love the Arroz a la Cubana. Your picture makes my mouth watering.
Beth Michelle
This sounds so amazing Nami! I love everything about this. I can see why you wanted to make it as soon as you saw it! I feel the same way!
Jennifer
Oh, this looks delicious! My husband is going to love me when I make this next week :).
Sandrine
I made this last night for a weeknight dinner, my hubby & I loved it! My hubby walked by the kitchen and saw all the veggies, asked ‘do I have to eat all the veggies?’ At the end of the meal, he said ‘yay another dish I can handle the veggies in my meal, feel free to make it again’. LOL Thanks for another great recipe Nami!
Nami, what do you do with the 1/2 carrot, 1/2 zucchini & 1/2 bell pepper?
Nami
I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed this meal! My kids eat all the veggies whenever they’re cooked like this (they can’t separate veggies and it’s so delicious that they don’t really pay too much attention!). As for the leftover veggies, how about this Japanese meat doria?
https://www.justonecookbook.com/recipes/meat-doria/
If you don’t have Tonkatsu Sauce, replace it with Worcestershire sauce. This is another family favorite, and I put all kinds of veggies in here (all finely chopped). You can include zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, anything! 🙂
Yaoli
This was so good and very different from anything we normally eat! Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe. I substituted peas instead of the zucchini (which I find would release too much liquid and make things watery) and also added 1/2 tbsp worcestershire sauce.
Nami
Hi Yaoli! Yay! I’m happy to hear you liked this dish! It was a new dish for me when I first tried it, but since then I made several times already as my family enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind feedback!
Doug in Concord, CA
Namiko-San:
I think you forgot to add the “rice” in your description ???
Nami
Hi Doug! You mean in the recipe?
3-4 serving cooked/steamed rice
Step 8: Serve rice on a plate/bowl and pour the sauce over. Top it with fried bananas and a sunny side up egg.
Maybe you’re referring to somewhere else?
Doug in Concord, CA
Okay.. I misread the description. I assumed it’s like Jambalaya or “Kai-Meshi” where the rice is blended into the dish.
Nami
Oh okay! No problem. 🙂
Tamás
Hi Nami San,
I probably have to slice the mushrooms as well, right?
What makes it like a soup? Should I put water/chicken stock inside?
Tamás
Nami
Hi Tamás! Yes, slice the mushrooms. I also edited the recipe, instead of skim off from “the soup”, I meant skim off from the “sauce”. It’s the sauce from tomato sauce. No need to add water or broth. 🙂 Thank you for bringing to my attention!