Cuban Meals?

Question

i was introduced to a few cuban meals about 2 years ago, it was very tastful and i loved it....it seems just the same as american food but somewhat different. ok, how do you make the red gravy to go over rice....and whats up with the bananas...i tried it all and i liked it...i want to make this red gravy for dinner so if i can get some help plz help

Answer 1

My husband is Cuban, and I live in Miami, and I'm completely at a loss for a "red gravy". Cubans don't eat gravy, but they do eat alot tomatoes. One very popular dish is "ropa vieja" which is flank steak cooked until you can shred it, then it's in a sauce made with broth and tomato paste, lots of garlic and peppers. They serve that over rice.

Often, dinners are served with tostones as a side (made with plantians). I'll give you the recipes for these 2 classic Cuban dishes..I'm sure you love them...(You'll think you're eating a meal in the heart of Miami)

***Double-Fried Plantains***(Tostones)

4 green plantains

2 cups vegetable oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Peel plantains and cut into 1-inch thick rounds.

Heat the oil in a small saucepan until hot but not smoking. Drop the plantain rounds into the hot oil 3 or 4 at a time and cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Set each fried plantain on a flat side, and using a rolling pin, frying pan, or whatever else you think will work, squash it as flat as you can. It should have a circular shape.

Return the flattened plantain sections to the hot oil 3 or 4 at a time and cook until the entire surface is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the plantains from the oil, drain, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve hot or at room temperature.

****Ropa Vieja****

1 (2 1/2-pound) flank steak, halved lengthwise

2 bay leaves

1 carrot, sliced

2 onions, julienne

1 tablespoon dry oregano

1 red pepper, julienne

1 green pepper, julienne

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup sherry

2 cups whole tomatoes, canned

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and pepper

Serving suggestion: white rice

Boil the flank steak with bay leaves, carrots, 1 onion, and oregano with enough water to cover the ingredients. Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Drain and let the meat cool, cut into 2-inch cubes and then shred.

Saute the remaining onion, peppers, and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Deglaze with sherry. Add tomatoes and cumin. Cook for 15 minutes. Add the shredded meat and cook for 1/2 hour. Season with salt and pepper.

Answer 2

There are loads of good places to find help. I have tried the link below for cuban recipes. You might also try Wikipedia or recipe.com for cooking help.#The red gravy sounds like sofrito, he starting point for any sauce in Cuba