Arroz Con Gandules Puerto Rican Rice Pigeon Peas

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever crave that ultimate comfort food? This rice and gandules recipe is it. Honestly, it is like a warm hug in a bowl! It's got that savoury, rich flavour that will leave you feeling proper satisfied.

Brief Overview

This Arroz con Gandules recipe , a classic Puerto Rican rice recipe , is a staple from the Caribbean. It is proper easy to make, takes about an hour, and serves six.

It is the ultimate one-pot rice dishes !

Main Benefits

Packed with flavour from the sofrito recipe and hearty Gandules recipe , it is proper nutritious. The rice and pigeon peas recipe makes a fantastic, filling meal, perfect for a family gathering.

What makes this easy arroz con gandules so special? It's that authentic Puerto Rican flavour.

Want to know how to make this Caribbean rice recipes ? Then keep on reading and get your spoons ready for this Vegetarian Arroz con Gandules recipe !

You know? I remember the first time I tried making this, I nearly burnt the bottom. Honestly, don't skip the simmering part. Keep the heat low!

Now, before we dive into the steps, let's gather our ingredients. Don't panic, you probably have most of them already. Let’s get started!

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Party Started!

So, you wanna make my abuela proud with an Authentic arroz con gandules ? Awesome! First, let's gather our troops.

Don't worry, it's not that complicated. I promise. We want to make this the most delicious rice and gandules recipe ever!

Main Ingredients: The Stars of the Show

Here's the lowdown on what you'll need, precise as possible:

• Sofrito Time:
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup / 150g )
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup / 150g )
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup / 150g )
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons / 10g )
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (about 10g )
  • 2 ají dulce peppers (or 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika if you can't find them honestly, paprika works a treat!)
• The Main Event:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil ( 30ml )
  • 4 ounces salt pork or bacon, diced ( 115g ) (Optional! Makes it tasty, but skip for a Vegetarian arroz con gandules recipe )
  • 1 packet Sazon with achiote (about 0.14 oz / 4g ). This is KEY for that colour and flavour!
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano ( 2g )
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin ( 1g )
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ( 0.5g )
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pigeon peas (gandules), drained and rinsed (about 425g ) these are gandules, after all!
  • 2 cups long grain rice, rinsed (about 400g )
  • 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you're going veggie) (about 700ml )
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce (about 225g )
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt to taste

Quality is key here. The better the ingredients, the better the Arroz con Gandules recipe . Trust me on this one.

Seasoning Notes: Spicing Things Up!

Okay, the Sazon is a must. It's like the secret handshake of Puerto Rican cooking. But! Don't be afraid to play around.

A little extra cumin? Go for it. A pinch of cayenne if you like a kick? Why not? Experiment on your rice and pigeon peas recipe .

For a flavour enhancer, a splash of white wine vinegar right at the end can really brighten things up. Seriously! It's like a little zing that wakes up all the other flavours.

If you're missing an ingredient, don't panic! Smoked paprika stands in for ají dulce peppers, and green peas sub for pigeon peas in a pinch.

These simple adjustments help you get an Easy arroz con gandules .

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

You really don't need fancy stuff. Here's what I use for my Puerto Rican rice recipe :

• A big pot or Dutch oven. Gotta have space for all that goodness!
• A chopping board and a decent knife. Duh.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Get the amounts right, people!
• A wooden spoon. Because it feels right, you know?

No Dutch oven? No problem! A large, heavy bottomed pot works just fine. Don't have measuring spoons? Eyeball it! (Just kidding.

..mostly.) Cooking this Gandules recipe should be fun and simple, even if you aren't a professional cook.

Get your stuff together and follow along with the steps to prepare a tasty, mouth watering Caribbean rice recipe .

Nailing That Perfect Arroz con Gandules Recipe

Honestly, who doesn't love a good rice and gandules recipe ? It's like a hug in a bowl. My abuela's recipe is legendary, and I'm gonna break down how to get that same authentic arroz con gandules flavor right in your own kitchen.

This Puerto Rican rice recipe will have your mates begging for seconds, trust me.

Prep Steps: The Mise en Place is Key!

First, get organised. Chop your sofrito . That's one green bell pepper, one red bell pepper, one yellow onion, four cloves of garlic and cilantro.

Got any aji dulce peppers? Chuck those in! If not use a teaspoon of smoked paprika. Then get your spices ready and have your gandules drained and rinsed.

This easy arroz con gandules starts with good prep!

step-by-step: Let's Get Cooking!

Okay, here's the magic. Follow these steps for the rice and pigeon peas recipe :

1. Sauté your chopped salt pork (if you're using it) in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a big pot over medium heat.
2. Add that beautiful sofrito recipe you prepped earlier. Cook it until it smells amazing.
3. Stir in one packet of Sazon with achiote, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Now add the drained gandules.
4. Chuck in 2 cups of rinsed long grain rice. Add 3 cups of chicken broth and 1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce. Bring it all to a boil!
5. Reduce the heat to low, add a bay leaf, and cover. Simmer for 20- 25 minutes , or until the rice is cooked.

Pro Tips: Secrets to Gandules Greatness

Don't lift the lid while it simmers! Honestly, resist the urge. That lets out steam and messes with the cooking.

Want that crispy pegao on the bottom? Let it cook an extra couple of minutes after all the liquid is gone.

Also, this recipe is awesome as a Vegetarian arroz con gandules recipe by simply omitting the salt pork.

So there you have it a Caribbean rice recipe that’s sure to impress. Forget boring old one-pot rice dishes ; this is flavour central! Now go forth and make some seriously good grub.

Recipe Notes: My Arroz con Gandules Recipe Secrets

Okay, so you're about to dive into this amazing rice and gandules recipe , aren't you? Awesome! Before you start, let me drop some wisdom stuff I've learned from making this Puerto Rican rice recipe (and sometimes messing it up!) over the years.

This is all about making your Arroz con Gandules experience top-notch. This recipe is more than just food; it's pure comfort.

Plating and Presentation: Making it Pretty!

Honestly, plating isn't my strong suit, but even I can make this look good. Think simple! A generous scoop of this rice and pigeon peas recipe in a bowl is already gorgeous.

Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a lime wedge for a pop of color. Boom! Serve it alongside a simple side salad.

Complementary sides? Tostones are always a yes! And if you're feeling fancy, pernil is the ultimate partner in crime. For drinks, I love a cold glass of passion fruit juice or even just some good old ginger beer.

That bit of zing is chef's kiss .

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Easy Arroz con Gandules keeps well.

Refrigeration: Store your cooked rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I've kept it a little longer than that, but 3 days is the safest bet.

Freezing: Yep, you can freeze it! Portion it out into freezer safe bags or containers. It'll last for up to 2 months.

When reheating, let it thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating: Microwaving is fine, but honestly, a pan on the stovetop with a splash of broth is the way to go. Keeps it nice and moist.

Variations: Make it Your Own!

One of the best things about cooking is tweaking things. Don't be afraid to mess around with it!

Vegetarian: Making a Vegetarian Arroz con Gandules recipe is easy! Just skip the salt pork and use vegetable broth. Trust me, it's still packed with flavor.

Seasonal Swaps: Feel free to swap out veggies based on what's fresh. In autumn, some butternut squash could be amazing.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness Inside

Okay, I'm no nutritionist, but here's the lowdown. The Authentic Arroz con Gandules is a good source of carbs for energy, plus protein from the gandules.

And you know? It just makes you feel good.

Each serving contains roughly 400 calories, 15g of protein, 10g of fat, 60g of carbohydrates, 5g of fiber, 5g of sugar, and 600mg of sodium. These are all just approximates, of course.

So, ready to cook up this incredible dish? I promise, even if you're new to Caribbean rice recipes or One-Pot Rice Dishes , you can totally nail this.

Embrace the Sofrito recipe , enjoy the process, and get ready for some seriously delicious food. You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Rice and Gandules? Is it, like, the Puerto Rican version of rice and peas?

Think of rice and gandules as a big warm hug from Puerto Rico! It's a classic dish featuring rice cooked with pigeon peas (gandules), sofrito (a flavorful base of peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs), and often some pork for extra savory goodness.

It's similar to rice and peas but with a unique Caribbean twist much more flavour.

Can I make this rice and gandules recipe vegetarian? I'm not really feeling the pork today.

Absolutely! Ditch the salt pork or bacon, and you've got yourself a fantastic vegetarian rice and gandules. Just make sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it fully vegetarian. You won't miss the meat, trust me, the sofrito and spices pack plenty of flavour!

Help! I can't find gandules anywhere. Are there any substitutes I can use for this Rice and Gandules recipe?

No gandules, no problem! If you're in a pinch, you can substitute canned green peas. It won't have the exact same earthy flavor, but it'll still give you that nice pop of green and add some substance to the dish.

You might also want to consider edamame as an alternative, but make sure to adjust cooking times accordingly.

How do I store leftover rice and gandules, and how long will it last? I always make too much!

Leftover rice and gandules is your future lunch sorted! Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll stay good for about 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out, or zap it in the microwave.

Make sure it's piping hot before serving.

My rice always seems to come out mushy. Any tips for getting fluffy rice and gandules?

Ah, the bane of every home cook's existence! First, rinse your rice really well before cooking to remove excess starch. Also, resist the urge to peek while it's simmering that steam is crucial. Finally, once it's cooked, let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes off the heat before fluffing it with a fork.

That rest time is key.

What's "Sazon," and can I make rice and gandules without it? I can't find it in my local Tesco!

Sazon is a seasoning packet that adds a distinctive flavour and colour to rice and gandules, it typically includes ingredients like MSG, salt, garlic, cumin, and annatto (for colour). If you can't find it, don't fret!

You can make your own blend using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, and a pinch of annatto powder if you want that vibrant colour. Experiment to find a blend you like!