DISH RESEARCH · Main dish
Arroz con Menestra
Ecuadorian lentil stew served with rice, carne asada, ripe plantain and onion-tomato curtido.

About Arroz con Menestra
Arroz con menestra is an Ecuadorian plate of rice with legume stew, especially associated with the coast. Layla Pujol's selected version pairs lentil menestra with rice, carne asada, ripe plantain and onion-tomato curtido.
A refrito of red onion, green pepper, tomato, garlic, cumin, annatto and cilantro gives the lentils a savoury, aromatic base. The ripe plantain adds sweetness beside the earthy stew and grilled beef.
The lentils cook until tender in a loose stew finished with fresh cilantro. They are served alongside distinct portions of rice, carne asada, fried ripe plantain and curtido rather than blended into one mixture.
Allergens in this recipe
Allergen details are not yet confirmed.
Ingredients vary by restaurant. Confirm your allergens with staff before ordering.
Ingredients in Arroz con Menestra
Layla Pujol's Ecuadorian lentil menestra with rice, carne asada and ripe plantain.
- Cooking oilCooking medium
- Red onionRefrito aromatic
- Green bell pepperRefrito aromatic
- TomatoesRefrito base
- GarlicAromatic
- Ground cuminSeasoning
- Ground annattoSeasoning
- CilantroSeasoning
- LentilsStew base
- SaltSeasoning
- WaterStew liquid
- RiceAccompaniment
- Carne asadaProtein accompanimentIngredient page not linked
- Fried ripe plantainAccompaniment
- Onion-tomato curtidoAccompanimentIngredient page not linked
Ingredient details & uncertainties
Allergen information is incomplete. Unconfirmed details do not establish that an allergen is absent.
- Cooking oil: . Exact oil identity is unspecified.
- Red onion:
- Green bell pepper:
- Tomatoes:
- Garlic:
- Ground cumin:
- Ground annatto: . Spanish achiote maps to the approved annatto identity.
- Cilantro: . Refrito and finishing allocations consolidated.
- Lentils:
- Salt:
- Water:
- Rice: . Preparation formula is not specified on this recipe page.
- Carne asada: . Selected from the source alternatives; exact cut, marinade and full preparation formula remain unresolved.
- Fried ripe plantain: . Plantain identity is mapped; frying medium and full preparation formula remain unresolved.
- Onion-tomato curtido: . Exact prepared curtido formula remains unresolved and no unsupported allergen safety inference is made.
Origins & food traditions
Pujol describes menestra as a typical Ecuadorian preparation, especially in the coastal region, while noting multiple legume and protein pairings; this profile selects her lentil and carne-asada branch.
Countries
- Ecuador
- EcuadorCatalogue link pending review
Cuisines & regions
- Ecuadorian
- Coastal Ecuadorian
- Ecuadorian CuisineCatalogue link pending review
AI-generated illustration of one possible presentation. Recipes and ingredients vary; the image does not establish allergen content.