Authentic Cuban Rice Recipes

CUBAN-STYLE YELLOW RICE

Steps:

• Place the rice in a sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Shake sieve to remove excess water from rice.
• Place rice in a large saucepan with a tightly fitting lid and add water. Stir in the onion, salt, annatto powder, paprika, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer. After cooking for 10 minutes, gently stir the peas into the rice. Cook until all the water is evaporated and the rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes longer. Serve garnished with pimento slices.

WHITE RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• 1 The first step is preferably to wash 2 times the rice in a deep recipient so it doesn't spill out, and we reserve.
• 2 Then we place a pot to half fire and add the oil and the clove of garlic. After, we fry them lightly for 1 minute.
• 3 We move away the clove of garlic and we add the washed rice, we fry lightly during 1 or 2 minutes constantly revolving to avoid it sticks to the pot.
• 4 Then we add the water to ambient temperature and we add the salt, we rectify it is in the adapted point of salt and we let to cook without removing about 12 or 15 minutes after it begins to boil.
• 5 Past this time, we cover it during 2 minutes and we turn off the fire. We rectify that it is totally sewn and we remove preferably with a fork so that it is fluffy.
• 6 We cover it to maintain it hot until the moment to serve it.

CUBAN RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• 1 Start by cooking the rice. Put a pot on medium heat and add the oil; when it's hot, sauté the garlic for a minute, add the rice and sauté for another minute or more until the grains turn transparent.
• 2 Then, add the water and the salt, let it stay until it starts boiling approximately within 3 minutes; at this point reduce the heat to low and let it cook with the pot half covered for about 15 minutes without stirring.
• 3 When you see holes on the surface it's a sign the rice is ready. Taste the grains to check if they're well cooked. Turn off the stove and take the pot off it, cover it up and let it rest for 10 minutes, so the remaining steam finishes cooking it.
• 4 The next step is to fry the plantains and the eggs. Peel the plantains and cut them in half the long way, then fry them in hot oil on high heat for 3 or 4 minutes until they're brown on both sides.
• 5 To fry the eggs use the same hot oil, place them one by one, add a pinch of salt in each one and fry for 30 seconds or a minute while sprinkling hot oil over the eggs using a spoon or skimmer. When they get the cooking-level you desire, drain them to remove the extra grease and set aside on a plate.
• 6 Now, it's time to present the dish. Put the hot rice into a glass or a round bowl, press it a bit using a spoon and then turn it over on the plate.
• 7 Pour over it or around it the hot tomato puree, place the fried egg and next to it two portions of the plantain. The ingredients used in this recipe are for two rations.
• 8 Thus, in this simple way we prepared delicious Cuban rice

CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot cover beans with water and boil for 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand for one hour.
• Drain water and cover with fresh water (6 cups).
• In a skillet saute the onions, bell pepper and garlic in oil for 5 minutes, until tender.
• Add onion mixture and all remaining ingredients, except the red wine vinegar, to the beans and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to simmer covered for 2 hours, until beans are tender.
• Add more water if necessary.
• At the last minute add the red wine vinegar, just before serving.
• Serve with 2 cups of cooked rice.
• Top with chopped green onions, chopped hard boiled eggs or sour cream.