Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas

Step-by-step instructions

1. Begin by heating a heavy bottomed pot, like a Dutch oven or caldero, over medium heat.
2. If using bacon or ham, cook slowly until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot for added flavor. If you’re not using meat, opt for a splash of your chosen oil.
3. Stir in the gandules, tomato sauce, olives, sofrito, salt, adobo, sazon seasoning, black pepper, and cumin. Mix well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
4. Pour in the water or chicken broth and increase the heat to high. Bring this lively mixture to a rolling boil.
5. Add the rinsed rice to the bubbling pot, stirring carefully to ensure every grain is submerged and gandules are evenly spread.
6. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. At this point, you can return the cooked bacon or ham if desired. Traditionally, a banana or plantain leaf is used to cover the pot, enhancing the aroma, though a tight lid will work just fine.
7. About halfway through, gently fold the rice from the bottom once, ensuring even heat distribution without breaking the crispy layer at the bottom.
8. After 25 minutes, turn off the heat and let the dish sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.
9. Finally, fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving warm. Enjoy your delightful Arroz Con Gandules!

Best ways to enjoy it

Serving Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas is all about making it a feast! For an authentic experience, consider pairing it with sides like tostones (fried plantains), a light salad, or even avocado slices. You might also want to serve it with a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick or a dollop of sour cream to complement the flavors. It’s a dish that not only stands alone but also shines brightly alongside a variety of colorful sides.

How to store

After enjoying your delicious meal, you may have some leftovers—no problem! To store your Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas, be sure to let it cool fully before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be safely kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing it. Just ensure you seal it well in a freezer-safe container; it should last for about 2-3 months. Always reheat thoroughly before indulging in those lovely leftovers!

Helpful cooking tips

To enhance your cooking experience, consider these extra tips:

• Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch; this will prevent clumping and give you nice, fluffy grains.
• When sautéing your meats, allow them to render out their fat fully before adding other ingredients—this adds richness to the dish.
• Don’t skip letting the dish sit after cooking; this resting time is crucial for optimal texture as the rice continues to steam and absorb flavors.

Creative twists

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! You could add diced bell peppers or corn for a colorful pop or sprinkle fresh cilantro on top before serving for added freshness. A vegetarian twist could incorporate roasted vegetables or even chickpeas instead of meat.

Your questions answered

What is the prep time for this dish?
Preparation typically takes about 15 minutes, while simmering requires about 25 minutes.

Can I substitute the rice?
Yes! While medium grain rice is traditional, you could use jasmine rice for a fragrant touch or even a quino-based blend for added health benefits.

Is this dish safe for freezing?
Absolutely! This dish freezes well. Just ensure it’s cooled before placing it in an airtight container. Thaw and reheat bountifully for your next delightful meal!

This Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas recipe not only offers rich, savory flavors but also embraces the essence of togetherness, making it perfect for any occasion. Give it a try, and you may just find it becoming a beloved staple in your kitchen as well!

Arroz Con Gandules

A vibrant representation of Puerto Rican culinary tradition, this comforting dish combines tender rice with hearty pigeon peas and flavorful spices, perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Optional Meat

• 4 slices bacon or ham Optional, can be skipped for a vegetarian option

Cooking Base

• 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable oil, olive oil, or achiote oil)
• 1 cup canned gandules (pigeon peas), or frozen, drained
• ¾ cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup green olives, sliced or whole Or you can use capers
• ¼ cup sofrito Thawed if using store-bought frozen sofrito
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• ½ packet Sazon con culantro y achiote Or use 1 tsp of homemade sazon seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 ½ cups water or chicken broth

Rice

• 2 ½ cups Arroz Rico (medium grain white rice), rinsed Rinse thoroughly before cooking

Method

 

Preparation

1. Begin by heating a heavy-bottomed pot, like a Dutch oven or caldero, over medium heat.
2. If using bacon or ham, cook slowly until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot for added flavor. If you’re not using meat, opt for a splash of your chosen oil.
3. Stir in the gandules, tomato sauce, olives, sofrito, salt, adobo, sazon seasoning, black pepper, and cumin. Mix well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
4. Pour in the water or chicken broth and increase the heat to high. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil.

Cooking

1. Add the rinsed rice to the bubbling pot, stirring carefully to ensure every grain is submerged and gandules are evenly spread.
2. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. You can return the cooked bacon or ham if desired.
3. About halfway through, gently fold the rice from the bottom once, ensuring even heat distribution without breaking the crispy layer at the bottom.
4. After 25 minutes, turn off the heat and let the dish sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes to absorb any remaining liquid.

Serving

1. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving warm.

Notes

For an authentic experience, pair it with sides like tostones, a light salad, or avocado slices. Serve it with a splash of hot sauce or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor. To store leftovers, let them cool fully before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for about 2-3 months.