Cuban Shrimp Bowls with Coconut Rice, Mango Salsa, and Fried Plantains

Step 1

Add all ingredients for the mango salsa to a bowl and toss everything together. Set aside until ready to use.

Step 2

Add the coconut oil and rice to a medium-sized pot and heat to medium. Saute rice, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.

Step 3

Add the coconut milk, agave, lime zest, and salt. Bring to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until most of the coconut milk has been absorbed, about 35 to 40 minutes. Taste rice for flavor and add more salt if desired.

Step 4

Place the peeled raw shrimp in a mixing bowl along with the cumin, paprika, and garlic. Stir well to make sure all of the shrimp is coated with spice.

Step 5

Add coconut oil to a skillet and heat to medium-high. Place shrimp on the hot skillet and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the shrimp, add the lemon juice, and cook until shrimp is cooked through, an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 6

Heat the oil to medium high in an 8 to 10-inch skillet (I've found cast iron works great). Note: You want enough oil to allow the plantains to float while they're frying, but they don't need to be fully submerged.

Step 7

Run a knife along the length of each plantain in order to peel them. Note: plantains are much more difficult to peel than bananas. I've found choosing ripe plantains and making a deep cut down the full length of the peel, cutting just as deep as the peel until you reach the flesh, is helpful in getting the peel off easily. Ripe plantains should be fairly easy to peel. The greener, less ripe plantains will be difficult and often the peel will be stuck to the flesh.

Step 8

Cut the plantains into spears or rounds. The shape is just a matter of preference, as the end result will be the same.

Step 9

Carefully place the plantain rounds in the hot oil and allow them to cook about 2 to 3 minutes, until browned. Carefully flip using a slotted spoon, and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Continue cooking and flipping/rotating occasionally until plantains are soft and caramelized, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place on a plate lined with a paper towel and sprinkle with sea salt. Repeat for all of the plantain rounds.

Step 10

Divide coconut rice, mango salsa, sauteed shrimp, and fried plantains among 4 bowls. Serve with avocado and fresh cilantro.