Arroz con Menestra y Carne Asada
A staple dish from the Ecuadorian coast, Arroz con Menestra y Carne Asada features fluffy white rice served with a rich lentil or bean stew (menestra) and grilled steak. It's a comforting and flavorful meal, often accompanied by fried plantains and salad.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef steak (sirloin or similar)(thinly sliced or pounded thin)
- 1 cup Dry lentils or kidney beans
- 2 cups White rice
- 1 medium Red onion(finely chopped)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(finely chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(finely chopped)
- 5 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 1.5 tsp Cumin powder
- 2 tbsp Achiote oil (annatto oil)
- 4 tbsp Cilantro(chopped)
- 7 cups Water
- 1 to taste Salt
- 1 to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the lentils or beans. In a large pot, heat the achiote oil over medium heat. Add the chopped red onion, green bell pepper, tomatoes, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened to create the 'refrito'.
- 2
Add the rinsed lentils or beans, 7 cups of water, and 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the lentils/beans are tender. Add more water if needed.
- 3
While the menestra simmers, cook the white rice according to package directions. Season the beef steak with salt and pepper.
- 4
Once the menestra is tender, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- 5
Serve a portion of cooked rice topped with the menestra. Place the grilled or fried steak alongside. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired. Traditional accompaniments include fried ripe plantains (maduros) or fried green plantains (patacones), and a simple salad or avocado slices.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking beans overnight can reduce cooking time.
- ✓The 'refrito' is the flavor base; don't skip this step.
- ✓Adjust the consistency of the menestra by adding more water if it becomes too thick.
🔄 Variations
- Use kidney beans (frejol canario) or black beans instead of lentils.
- Add a piece of pork rind (cuero de chancho) to the menestra while cooking for extra flavor.
- Serve with a fried egg on top for an even heartier meal.