Potaje de Lentejas (Cuban Lentil Soup)

Apr 24, 2025 | Americas, Caribbean & Atlantic Islands, Latin American, Soup

cuban lentil soup

Potaje de Lentejas (Cuban Lentil Soup)

submitted by Diana Alvarez Amell
A hearty Cuban lentil one-pot soup that’s easy to prepare without soaking the lentils overnight (recipe from "A Sassy Spoon" by Jamie Silva)
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Caribbean, Cuban, Latin American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dried lentils
  • 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 8 ounces smoked ham cut in pieces
  • 2-3 large Spanish chorizo links sliced
  • 5 cups chicken broth or water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 medium carrots peeled & sliced
  • 2 medium Russet potatoes peeled & quartered
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Lay the lentils on a clean work surface and remove any stones. Wash and rinse until the water runs clear. Set aside.
  • In a Dutch oven, heat oil at medium-high heat. Saute the onions, green bell peppers, and tomatoes for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Saute garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in the oregano, cumin, and salt + pepper to taste. Cook for another 1 minute. Add the ham and chorizo. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the lentils with the rest of the ingredients in the skillet. Add 5 cups of chicken broth and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in the carrots and potatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low heat. Cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until the lentils and veggies have softened. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove the bay leaves. Serve by itself or with a side of white rice.
Keyword Cuba, Latin American, soup

 

Frijoles Negros (Black Bean Soup)

Dec 17, 2024 | Americas, Caribbean & Atlantic Islands, Latin American, Soup, Vegetarian

 

Frijoles negros

Frijoles Negros

Yolanda Izquierdo
Receta de Nitza Villapol, Cocina criolla (Recipe by Nitza Villapol, Cocina criolla)
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Cuba, Latin American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Frijoles negros 1 lb. black beans
  • 10 tazas Agua 10 cups of water
  • 1 Ají grande 1 large pepper
  • ⅔ taza Aceite de oliva 2/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 Cebolla grande 1 large onion
  • 4 dientes Ajo 4 cloves of garlic
  • 4 cdtas. Sal 4 tsp. salt
  • ½ cdta. Pimienta 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • ¼ cdta. Orégano 1/4 tsp. oregano
  • 1 hoja Laurel 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cdas. Azúcar blanca 2 tbsp. white sugar
  • 2 cdas. Vinagre 2 tbsp. vinegar
  • 2 cdas. Vino seco 2 tbsp. cooking wine
  • 2 cdas. Aceite de oliva 2 tbsp. olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Lave los frijoles y póngalos a remojar con elagua y un ají. (Wash the beans and soak in the water with the large pepper.)
  • Cuando estén bien hinchados póngalos a cocinar en esa misma aguahasta que se ablanden–aprox. 45 minutos. (When they swell cook them in that same water until they are tender–approx. 45 minutes.)
  • En una sartén caliente el aceite. Sofría la cebolla y el ají picaditos y el ajo machacado. (Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onion and pepper and the crushed garlic.)
  • Eche una taza de los frijoles en la sartén y aplástelos bien. (Add a cup of the beans to the pan and squash them.)
  • Échelo todo en la cazuela con el resto de losfrijoles. (Add all this to the pot with the rest of the beans.)
  • Añádales sal, pimienta, orégano, la hoja de laurel y azúcar. (Add salt, pepper, oregano, the bay leaf and sugar.)
  • Déje los hervir aprox. una hora más. (Boil for one more hour.)
  • Añádales luego el vinagre y vino seco y cocínelos afuego lento durante otra hora para que cuajen bien. (Add the vinegar and cooking wine and simmer for approx. one more hour.)
  • Al servirlos les puede añadir 2 cucharadas de aceite y cebolla cruda picadita. (When serving them you can add 2 tbsp. olive oil and minced raw onion.)
Keyword frijoles negro

Arroz con Leche

Dec 11, 2024 | Americas, Caribbean & Atlantic Islands, Dessert, European, Latin American

 

Arroz con Leche

Khalil Crumes, Puerto Rico
Arroz con leche is a creamy, comforting rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, often with a hint of citrus. I love how simple yet satisfying it is, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth, whether enjoyed hot or cold.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Latin American, Spanish
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup White rice or Jasmine rice
  • 3 cups Whole milk
  • 1 cup Water
  • 4 tablespoons Ground cinnamon or cinnamon stick
  • 2 boxes Raisins
  • 1 cup Sugar — adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch Salt

Instructions
 

  • Start by rinsing the rice under cold water.
  • In a medium pot, add the rinsed rice and 1 cup of water.
  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the rice has absorbed most of the water and is just tender.
  • Add the milk and cinnamon the pot with the cooked rice. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
  • Once the milk is simmering, add the sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring frequently, or until it looks fluffy and the rice is soft and creamy. Be sure to stir often to prevent the rice from sticking or burning. Add raisins (if used).
  • Once the pudding has thickened to your desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Discard the cinnamon stick (if used). Serve the arroz con leche warm, or let it cool to room temperature.
  • Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top for garnish.

Notes

For a creamier version, you can use half-and-half or add a bit of coconut milk.
 If you prefer a thicker pudding, let it cook a little longer, stirring more frequently.
 Some variations include adding other dried fruits, which you can stir in during the last few minutes of cooking.
Keyword Arroz con Leche, dessert, Latin American, Spanish, vegetarian

 

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