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Arroz ala Cubana (Filipino-style)

A classic Filipino meal with picadillo, fried saba bananas, a fried egg, and rice.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Filipino
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 385kcal
Author Nora Rey
Cost $8-$10

Equipment

  • Wide pan
  • Frying pan for bananas and eggs

Ingredients

Picadillo (giniling)

  • 1 pound ground meat (pork, beef, or chicken)
  • 1 cup potatoes cut into small pieces
  • ½ cup red bell pepper chopped small
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup raisins
  • 1 teaspoon beef or chicken base (or bouillon) dissolved in 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce sub: oyster sauce or Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Neutral oil

For serving

  • Steamed white rice
  • Saba bananas sliced lengthwise in half
  • Eggs fried

Instructions

  • Over medium-high heat, add oil and cook the potatoes and bell pepper until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
  • Lower heat to medium. Sauté onion and garlic until softened.
  • Add the ground meat, then raise the heat and cook until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook until it darkens slightly.
  • Add the raisins, base/bouillon dissolved in 1 cup of water, soy sauce, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
  • Return the potatoes and bell pepper to the pan. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
    Leave uncovered to reduce the sauce if you prefer it drier. Taste and adjust as needed.
  • Fry saba bananas until golden. Fry eggs to your liking.
  • Serve picadillo with rice, saba bananas, and egg.

Video

Notes

  • Ground meat: Ground pork, beef, or chicken all work well.
  • Vegetables: You can use potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, green peas, corn, or olives.
  • Raisins: Optional, but they add some sweetness that balances the savory sauce.
  • Saba bananas: Traditional for arroz a la cubana. Ripe plantains are a great substitute.
 
Cooking Tips
  • Use ripe but firm bananas so they caramelize without falling apart.
  • Fry the bananas until lightly golden — this brings out their natural sweetness.
  • Break up the ground meat so it browns evenly and develops more flavor.
  • Brown the tomato paste for deeper flavor.
  • Add more vegetables if you’d like to make it heartier.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 770mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 707IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3mg