How to Cook Like a Cuban

Miami is known for a lot of things: art deco, beautiful beaches, amazing art and, of course, some truly amazing Cuban food.

Cuban cuisine is a vibrant and flavorful blend of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences from both modern and traditional recipes. Many of the dishes are characterized by the use of fresh ingredients, bold seasonings and a variety of cooking techniques, and you’ll more than likely encounter several variations of each dish depending on whose family recipe is used.

Here are just a few of the dishes that are popular in Cuban cuisine and, of course, how you can make them for yourself!

Popular Cuban dishes

Ropa vieja

Ropa vieja, Spanish for "old clothes," is a traditional Cuban dish made with shredded beef, tomatoes, onions, peppers and spices. In fact, it’s so well-known and well-loved that it’s considered to be the national dish of Cuba!

The dish is made with a variety of different cuts of beef, but the most common is flank steak, which is slow-cooked in a tomato-based broth until it is tender and fall-apart. The beef is then shredded and returned to the broth, along with onions, peppers and whatever spices the cook wishes to use. The mixture is simmered until the flavors have melded together and the sauce has thickened before being served alongside black beans, rice, plantains or yuca.

Arroz con pollo

Arroz con pollo — Spanish for "rice with chicken" — is a traditional Cuban dish that is made with rice, chicken sofrito (a mixture of onions, peppers, and garlic) and spices. It’s a popular food all over Latin America and has many varieties, though this particular Cuban recipe is an absolute must-try!

Lechón asado

Lechon asado is a traditional Cuban dish most often made on special occasions like national holidays, birthdays, religious celebrations and weddings. The dish is typically made with a large piece of pork marinated in a mixture of citrus juices, garlic and spices; the meat is then roasted over an open fire or in a special oven called a caja china, which can take several hours. The end result is a beautifully-stewed, wonderfully-spiced piece of meat that’s well worth the effort!

Picadillo

Picadillo is a rich, traditional, ingredient-heavy dish made with ground beef, potatoes, onions, garlic, cumin, bell peppers, white wine, tomato sauce, raisins, olives and capers. The stew, which is cooked slowly and reduced to a thick sauce, is typically served over white rice with fried ripe plantains and a dollop of sour cream. 

Yuca con mojo

Yuca con mojo is a traditional Cuban side dish made with yuca (cassava root), garlic, olive oil and some type of citrus juice. Though a relatively simple dish, the aromatic and flavorful ingredients make it a great meal served alongside roasted or grilled meats! 

Tamales

Tamales are a popular food all over Latin America, and they can be filled with anything from pork to beef to chicken, fruit, cheese and vegetables! 

In Cuba, though, tamales are most often made with cornmeal and a pork and vegetable filling and wrapped in banana leaves, rather than the corn husks. They also feature olives, raisins and capers, giving the savory dish a slightly sweet touch.

Boliche

Boliche is a traditional dish made with flank steak, ham, chorizo, swiss cheese and pickles, all rolled up and slow-roasted or smoked until tender and juicy. It is typically served with mashed potatoes, black beans and a side of garlicky mojo sauce. Talk about a hearty meal! 

Plátanos maduros fritos

Plátanos maduros fritos, or “fried ripe plantains,” are a popular dish in Latin America and the Caribbean, and especially here in Cuba. 

The dish is made with ripe plantains, which have a yellow skin and a soft, creamy texture — it’s more savory and starchy than the regular banana that we know. The plantains are peeled, sliced and fried in oil until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re usually a side dish served alongside rice, beans, meats and other main dishes, or you can get them as a snack all on their own!

Arroz con leche

Arroz con leche is a traditional Cuban dessert that is made with short-grain rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest. It’s rich, creamy and can be served warm or cold.

Rice puddings similar to this one are found all over the world, and nearly all of them feature some combination of milk, rice, spices and sugar. Cuban arroz con leche is typically made with a combination of whole milk and evaporated milk, giving the dish a richer flavor and a thicker consistency than others. The rice is cooked slowly over low heat until it is tender and the liquid is thickened, then the cinnamon and lemon zest are added to bring a touch of warmth and brightness to the hearty dish.

Pastelitos de guayaba

Pastelitos de guayaba, also known as guava cheese pastries, are a popular Cuban dessert that is made with puff pastry, guava paste and cream cheese. These sweet, simple pastries are baked until golden brown and crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.

Café cubano

Cafe Cubano is a strong, sweet espresso drink that is made with dark roast coffee and sugar and iis traditionally made using a stovetop moka pot. The sugar is whipped into a foam (affectionately called an “espumita”) with the first few drops of the brewed espresso, then the rest of the brewed coffee is stirred together with the foam. 

Canchanchara 

Canchanchara is a traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, honey, lime juice and hot water and is typically served in a clay mug called a guayo. The drink is said to have originated in the Cuban town of Trinidad and was supposedly enjoyed by Cuban revolutionary fighters during the 19th century!

To make a Cuban canchanchara, combine 1.5 ounces of white rum, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1 tablespoon of hot water in a clay mug. Stir until the honey is dissolved, then add ice and stir again. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve. 

These dishes are amazing representations of Cuban cuisine, and they’re not difficult to make on your own, either! Give them a try and see how you like it — or head down to a Cuban restaurant near our luxury South Florida apartments to taste the real deal!

Enjoy!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/flunkey0