Vegan Cuban Bowl with Plantains

Vegan Cuban Bowl with Plantains

A healthy and hearty Cuban bowl made with ripe plantains. Served over a side of quinoa with red beans and homemade sofrito. Perfect Meatless Lunch any day.

Today I am honored to have my very good friend, accomplished recipe developer and fellow blogger Rini from Healing Tomato stop by to share a delicious recipe with you!

I’ve known Rini for about three years. She’s a tech kinda gal loving the world of food and food blogging. I’m pretty sure I’ve asked her every question under the sun regarding blogging. She is kind and patient enough to slow down and explain it in a way that even I can understand it!

Thank you Rini for stopping by to share this new culinary flavor with us!

A hearty Cuban bowl with Plaintains, served over a side of quinoa with red beans and homemade sofrito.

Hello readers of Bowl-Me-Over.  I am delighted to get to know you and share my recipes.  Debra has always praised her readers, so, I know I am in good company.

Today, I want to share my recipe for a Cuban bowl that is vegan and delicious.  I wanted to make sure that it was easy to make and you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen making it.

Being in Florida, I have been exposed to a huge Latin population.  It has been an amazing cultural experience for me and I have come to learn so much about their flavors.

Their their zest for life and food has made a huge impact on me.  Everything they do and make has definitely seeped into my cooking style (in a very good way).  I find myself eavesdropping on conversations in the supermarket or in big box stores.

They are always talking about what they are making for dinner or what they are going to feed their guests.  I have found that “Arroz con pollo” is a family favorite and even “Arroz con frijoles”.

A simple Vegan Cuban bowl made with plantains and Quinoa.

On a recent trip to a local Spanish grocery store, I heard two women talk about Picadillo.  I couldn’t break out my phone fast enough and google it.  I think I must have stood for 30 minutes in the same spot as I read all these amazing things about this Cuban staple.

I was so fascinated by this dish that I immediately began experimenting on a vegan version of it.  After a few recipe fails and lots of dirty dishes, I am happy to say that I came up with a delicious vegan Cuban picadillo version

I have to say that the final dish just made me lick my plate.

Ever since then, I have become obsessed with making Cuban food.  This Cuban bowl is just my latest obsession.  Plantains are a big part of Cuban food, so, I thought I would include it in this recipe.

Quinoa and red beans lighten up this delicious bowl!

I thought you might like a quinoa and red beans instead of the rice and beans.  It is lighter so that makes it just right for lunch.

I hope you like this recipe and please feel free to let me know what you think of Cuban food.

5 from 7 votes

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Vegan Cuban Bowl

A simple Vegan Cuban bowl made with plantains and Quinoa

Course Lunch or Dinner

Cuisine Cuban

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 2 bowls

Calories 1250 kcal

Author Rini

Ingredients

For the plantains

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 2 plantains see notes
• 1.5 Tbsp coconut palm sugar or about 1 Tbsp of brown sugar
• 1.5 tsp cumin powder see notes

For the quinoa

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 cup red onions finely chopped
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper finely chopped
• 2 cups quinoa mixed colored and cooked
• 1 cup red beans cooked and drained. Canned is fine too
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp Cuban Seasoning
• cilantro for garnish

For the sofrito

• 1/4 red onion roughly chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup water
• 1.5 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fire roasted tomatoes
• 2 plum tomatoes
• 1/8 tsp Cuban seasoning

A side of greens (optional)

• 2 cups baby kale
• 1 tsp garlic crushed
• 1.5 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

Making the plantains

1. Cut the plantains into 1/2" rounds.  Cut diagonally to get an oval shaped plantain
   

2. Preheat oven to 375°
   

3. In a bowl, add the coconut oil, sugar, plantains and cumin powder. Mix well
   

4. Lay them out on a baking sheet and place in the oven for about 10 minutes or until they have browned
   

5. Remove and set aside to cool
   

For the quinoa

1. In a pan, add the coconut oil and heat for 30 seconds
   

2. Add the onions, green bell pepper and let them soften on medium heat
   

3. Add the red beans and Cuban seasoning. Let them cook for about 2 minutes
   

4. Add all the other ingredients for the quinoa and mix well.  Set aside
   

For the sofrito

1. Put all the ingredients for the sofrito into a blender and blend until smooth
   

2. In a pan, add the mixture and heat on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the water has dissipated. 
   

3. Set aside to let it cool.
   

To make the greens

1. In a pan, add the oil and heat on low for 30 seconds
   

2. Add the garlic and let it brown
   

3. Add the baby kale and let it reduce to half its size before mixing it
   

4. Add the salt and cook the greens for 30 more seconds. 
   

5. Remove it and set aside
   

Assemble the bowl

1. Start by putting half of the quinoa mixture on one side of the bowl
   

2. Add half of the cooked greens to the bottom right of the bowl
   

3. Add half of the sofrito next to the greens
   

4. Finally, place half of the cooked plantains in the bowl
   

5. Assemble the second bowl and serve immediately
   

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Cuban Bowl

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1250 Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 35g 54%

Saturated Fat 22g 110%

Sodium 146mg 6%

Potassium 2503mg 72%

Total Carbohydrates 206g 69%

Dietary Fiber 25g 100%

Sugars 38g

Protein 36g 72%

Vitamin A 59.5%

Vitamin C 106.5%

Calcium 15.8%

Iron 72.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What’s for dinner tonight? How about a healthy and hearty Cuban bowl made with ripe plantains. A guest post from Healing Tomato!

For more delicious meals in a bowl head click here!