Cuban Black Bean and Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls with Baked Plantains
4.75 from 4 votes
Cuban Black Bean and Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls with Baked Plantains | The Full Helping

When I posted my easy slow cooker Cuban black beans on Tuesday, a friend commented to ask if I’d strategically planned the post to coincide with President Obama’s historic trip to Cuba. I didn’t, though I was happy to see that I’d accidentally chosen a recipe that was well-timed. These cuban black bean and cilantro lime rice bowls with baked plantain are a continuation of the theme, and they’re a great example of what to do with a big pot of the Cuban black beans once they’re cooked.

The nice thing about this recipe is that two of the components–the beans and the rice–are the sort of simple recipes you can batch cook again and again, serving them as sides or using them as versatile weekly staples. The rice in particular is a favorite of mine, and it’s the rice recipe that I turn to whenever I’m making rice and beans, a spicy tofu scramble, my quick and easy chickpea scramble, or any other recipe that calls for a dash of cumin, cilantro, and chili. The recipe was inspired by Janae‘s recipe in her lovely e-book Simple, a collection of 15 easy plant-based meal ideas (which I highly recommend), and over time, I’ve made it my own, something I cook up without even having to think about the formula or steps.

I recommend using white basmati rice in this recipe for the best flavor and texture, though I give a brown basmati option, too. For the most part, I use brown rice varieties at home, but I also keep basmati and jasmine rice handy, either to use as an accompaniment for Indian or curry dishes, or to whip up when I need rice to cook super quickly (I usually find that basmati cooks up in only 15 minutes). The tender, sweet texture is a nice departure from nutty and chewy brown rice, too.

Cuban Black Bean and Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls with Baked Plantains | The Full Helping

These bowls mark my first experience with making baked/roasted plantains at home. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to work with this wonderful ingredient! I’ve always liked plantains when I tried them out and about, but for whatever reason, I don’t usually think to buy them or use them. I absolutely love the sweet, starchy flavor and texture of the simple baked plantains in this recipe, and I’ll definitely be making them again. (I’m keen on trying mashed plantains now, too.)

4.75 from 4 votes

Cuban Black Bean and Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls with Baked Plantains

Author – Gena Hamshaw
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the baked plantains:

  • 2 large, very ripe plantains (blackening is good!), peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • Salt

For the bowls:

  • 1 1/2 cups 1 1⁄2 cups / 240g cooked black beans (one 15- ounce / 425g can, drained and rinsed)

For the cilantro lime rice:

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 cup white basmati rice rinsed under running water for about a minute
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems (10g)

Bowl toppings:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425F. Toss the plantains with the avocado oil and transfer them to a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle them with salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the rounds once halfway through cooking.
  • While the plantains bake, prepare the rice. Heat two teaspoons of the oil in a medium sized pot over medium low heat. Add the rice and toast, stirring constantly, for a few minutes, or until the rice is smelling nutty and fragrant. Add the salt and water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid. (If you use brown rice, this will take more like 40-45 minutes, and you may want to start the rice before you bake the plantains.) Fluff the rice gently with a fork, cover, and allow it to steam for another 5-10 minutes, then stir in the remaining teaspoon oil, lime juice, and cilantro.
  • To assemble the bowls, place a quarter of the rice, a half cup of the black beans, and a quarter of the plantain rounds into each of four serving bowls. Top with chopped red onions, avocado slices, additional cilantro, and/or whatever other toppings you like. Serve.

Notes

Leftover beans will keep for up to 6 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftover rice will keep for up to 3 days. Plantains will keep for 2 days.

As you know, I love a good bowl, and this recipe has everything a good bowl should: lots of texture, a smattering of all the macronutrients, a hint of spice, and it’s plenty filling. Serve it with some sauteed kale or collard greens for dinner or lunch, or with a big green salad (a mixture of romaine, cucumber and my smoky avocado cumin dressing is especially refreshing with these flavors!).

Cuban Black Bean and Cilantro Lime Rice Bowls with Baked Plantains | The Full Helping

Hope you’ll enjoy the bowls, friends. I’m off to finish studying for my next Advanced Nutrition exam, which I’ll be tackling later this after. At that point, it’ll be 3 down, and 2 more to go. Phew! This semester feels long, even if I’m enjoying my classes a lot. I look forward to catching up with you for weekend reading.

xo

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Categories: Recipes, Main Dishes, Vegan Bowls
Ingredients: Rice
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free

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Recipe Rating




    14 Comments
  1. 4 stars
    This is the first recipe I’ve ever tried of yours and the first time I’ve tried plantains and oh my gosh!! This was divine and I’ll surely be eating plantains again in the very near future. Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    I spy Anthropologie towels!! Haha looks dazzling Gena. 🙂 Love the prepared plantains combined with cilantro lime rice. So yummy!!

  3. Instead of doing it with ripe plantains, do it with green plantains, it will taste better with salty plantains than sweet, specially if its a latin dish! with a little salt and maybe homemade ají! yeyeees.

  4. 5 stars
    Great recipe, I adjusted it slightly though, instead of the Cuban black beans I used garbanzo beans and chickpeas. Delicious!:)

  5. Man am I craving this bowl like something fierce! As I was reading through your description my mouth started watering. What a delicious pairing of flavors. I’ve never had plantains, but think I should change that when I make this recipe ;). You never disappoint with your creative bowls Gena! I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend friend, happy spring too (yay!).

    • Plantains are awesome! I think you’ll fall in love with them once you start cooking with them, Jessie 🙂

  6. Hi Gena, I was wondering if you had a special flavoring in this rice–sounds really yummy. I like to cook my white rice with fresh orange rind and garlic, and this version also sounds quite tasty and a perfect companion to the beans. I’ve never cooked my own plantains, and may have to try that sometime. Thanks for another beautiful bowl! Can’t think of a better way to bring Cuban and American “interests” together! 🙂 xo

    • For this recipe, I keep it super simple — and the lime juice and coconut oil actually go quite a long way, flavor-wise. I’m sure that ginger would be a really great addition, though!