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Homemade Cuban Rice and Eggs Dinner recipe photo

Cuban Rice and Eggs Dinner

A savory one-pot Cuban-inspired dinner of seasoned ground turkey with vegetables, served with rice, fried eggs and sweet plantains.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup brown rice, uncooked (short, medium, or long-grain)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 onion, medium, finely chopped
  • 4 tomatoes, medium, diced
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
  • 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce (or Bragg's Aminos / coconut aminos)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 potato, large, peeled and diced
  • 1 carrot, large, peeled and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup peas, frozen
  • 1/2 cup raisins (golden or regular), soaked 10 minutes then drained
  • 2 plantains, very brown and soft, sliced overripe
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 eggs

Equipment

  • Large Pot with Lid
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Medium Saucepan
  • Skillet
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Rinse 1 cup brown rice under cold running water until water runs clear.
  2. Bring a large covered pot with 12 cups of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat, then add the rinsed rice and boil uncovered for 30 minutes without stirring.
  3. Drain the cooked rice in a fine-mesh strainer, return it to the pot, cover (off heat) and let sit for 10 minutes.
  4. While the rice cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; sauté 1 chopped garlic clove until golden, then add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
  5. Add 4 diced tomatoes to the pan and cook about 5 minutes, then add 1 1/2 lb ground turkey and cook about 10 minutes until no longer pink.
  6. Stir in 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, then add the diced potato, diced carrot and diced red bell pepper; cover and simmer over low–medium heat 10 minutes.
  7. Add 1 cup frozen peas and 1/2 cup drained raisins, cook another 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors meld; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  8. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet and brown the sliced overripe plantains briefly on both sides until golden; transfer to a plate and wipe the pan clean.
  9. Using the same skillet with a little oil, fry the 6 eggs to your liking and season them lightly with salt.
  10. To serve, place the drained white rice on plates, top with a fried egg, arrange fried plantains and spoon the ground turkey and vegetable mixture alongside; serve hot.

Notes

  • Soak raisins 10 minutes to plump them before adding.
  • Use very ripe plantains for best sweetness and texture.
  • Do not stir the rice while boiling to keep grains separate.
  • Wipe the skillet between frying plantains and eggs to avoid burning.