The Spanish-speaking world is vast and varied in its tastes, but we are all brothers and sisters. We Spaniards are proud that our culture has reached out to and influenced (and been influenced by!) just about every corner of the planet.
Arroz a la Cubana is a very ancient dish, probably dating back to the days of the Spanish Conquistadors. Its simplicity and lack of expensive ingredients tend to suggest that it was a staple of the Cuban indians – and this would also explain its popularity in the Philippines, a Spanish colony until the year 1898.
Every busy parent with young children needs a few “fall-back” recipes, meals which are quick to prepare and filling to eat. Unlike paella or pulpo gallego, Arroz a la Cubana is easy, cheap and cheerful – and none the worse for that!
Ingredients (serves 4)
Half a litre of tomato sauce *
2 cupfuls of rice
2 chopped tomatoes
2 chopped carrots
8 frankfurter-style sausages
2 small green peppers
2 cloves of garlic
4 eggs
parsley, basil, bay leaf & olive oil, to taste
2 bananas (optional)
* the purists may wish to create their own tomato sauce by simmering fresh tomatoes and finely-chopped onions in olive oil, but for me the beauty of this dish is that it’s quick and easy – so I have no compunction in tipping a can of supermarket-bought tomato sauce (“tomates fritos”) into the pan!
The rice is boiled in water, in the normal way, with a bay leaf for flavour, and kept apart from the other ingredients until the last moment.
In a separate saucepan, the tomato sauce is heated with the carrots, peppers and tomatoes. Add basil, garlic, parsley and olive oil in whatever proportions suit your taste. Once the mixture has cooked through, put in the frankfurter sausages in order to heat them up without softening them to the point at which they lose their shape.
Meanwhile, fry the eggs in the usual way.
When the moment arrives, serve the rice hot (traditionally in a steep mound shape), with the tomato mixture poured over it, so that the whole resembles a volcano oozing with lava. Place the fried egg on top.
A variant of this dish which has taken hold in the Philippines is to prepare everything as above, then slice the bananas and fry them in hot oil, as an “extra”.
¡Buen provecho!
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!