Savour South America: Mastering the Venezuelan Pabellon Criollo

black beans

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Lentils offer a similar texture with fewer calories.

shredded beef

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Chicken is leaner and ground beef is often less expensive.

plantains

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: bananas

Sweet potatoes provide similar sweetness and texture.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often less expensive and neutral in flavor.

Soak 1 cup of dried black beans overnight.

After soaking, cook the black beans slowly with a touch of salt, chopped onions, and bell peppers until tender, about 1 hour.

In a separate pot, rinse 2 cups of long grain rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, then cook until tender yet firm, about 20 minutes.

Simmer 1 pound of flank steak slowly in a bath of finely chopped onions, bell peppers, garlic, and a pinch of cumin for about 2 hours until tender.

Once the beef is tender, shred it into thin strands.

Slice ripe plantains into thick strips and fry them until golden brown, just a few minutes until caramelized.

Assemble the dish by starting with a bed of fluffy white rice, then add a layer of black beans, followed by the shredded beef, and top with the fried plantains.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: