Cuban-Style Pork & Rice
Recipe from EatingWell

Full of spice and exotic flavors, this Cuban take on the classic Spanish paella is an easy way to feed a hungry crowd. Don't worry if you have leftovers. They can easily be rewarmed in a microwave or combined with eggs to make a Spanish tortilla (omelet); or for a great cold dish, toss the leftover rice with cooked vegetables and a vinaigrette made with lime juice instead of vinegar.


Cuban-Style Pork & Rice


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Prep Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 10 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  • 1/4  cup  paprikaOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  lime juiceOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil, dividedOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  rum, (optional)On Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  minced garlic, plus 2 tablespoons chopped garlic, dividedOn Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  fresh oregano, choppedOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  kosher saltOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  freshly ground pepperOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  ground cumin, cuminOn Sale
  • 1 1/2  pounds  boneless pork chops, (3/4-1 inch thick), trimmed, cut into cubesOn Sale
  • 2  cups  onion, choppedOn Sale
  • 2  cups  arborio rice, or short-grain brown riceOn Sale
  • 2  14-ounce cans  reduced-sodium chicken brothOn Sale
  • 2  14-ounce cans  reduced-sodium chicken brothOn Sale
  • 1  cup  canned diced tomatoesOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  capers, rinsedOn Sale
  • 1/4  teaspoon  saffron threads, (see Note)On Sale
  • 16  large  raw shrimp, (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined (optional)On Sale
  • 2  cups  frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, or cooked green beans, fresh or frozen, thawedOn Sale
  • 1/2  cup  roasted red peppers, cut into stripsOn Sale

Directions
1.
Combine paprika, lime juice, 2 tablespoons oil, rum (if using), 2 teaspoons minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin in a medium bowl, stirring to make a homogeneous paste. Add pork and stir to coat.
2.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork, leaving any excess spice mixture in the bowl to add later. Cook the pork, stirring, until just cooked on the outside and the spices are very fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the pork to a plate.
3.
Add onion and the remaining 2 tablespoons garlic to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until well coated with the onion mixture. Stir in broth, tomatoes, capers, saffron and any remaining spice mixture. (If using brown rice, also add 3/4 cup water now.) Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes for arborio, 30 minutes for brown rice.
4.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F .
5.
Stir shrimp (if using) and artichokes (or green beans) into the rice. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Stir in the pork and any accumulated juices from the plate; scatter roasted peppers on top. Cover and continue baking until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed (if you've added shrimp, they should be opaque and pink), 10 to 15 minutes more.

Tip:
Note: Saffron is the dried stigma of a saffron crocus. It contributes a pungent flavor and intense yellow color to classic dishes like paella. Saffron is sold in threads and powdered form.

Nutrition information
Calories 257, Total Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Sodium 257 mg, Carbohydrate 26 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 19 g, Potassium 414 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 40%, Vitamin C 35%. Exchanges: Starch 1,Vegetable 1,Lean Meat 2,Fat 1. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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