Abuela's Authentic Arroz con Gandules: A Taste of Puerto Rico

Abuela's Authentic Arroz con Gandules : A Taste of Puerto Rico

Fancy a bit of sunshine on your plate, even if it’s raining cats and dogs outside? this arroz con gandules recipe is your one-way ticket to the caribbean! honestly, it's like a holiday in a bowl.

What's the Crack With Arroz con Gandules?

Arroz con gandules is puerto rican comfort food. simple as that. it's been around for yonks. it's a pretty easy recipe to nail.

Total time is about an hour. this best rice recipe will feed about six hungry bellies.

Why You'll Love This Pigeon Peas and Rice Recipe

This authentic arroz con gandules is packed with flavour. it's got a bit of everything in it! plus, pigeon peas are surprisingly good for you.

Think fibre and protein. this dish is perfect for a sunday roast alternative. it's also a christmas classic. it's a staple for puerto rican christmas food .

What makes this puerto rican rice recipe special? that'd be the love. it's proper boricua recipes , handed down through families.

Getting Your Ducks in a Row: Ingredients

Right then, let's talk ingredients for gandules rice recipe . you’ll need rice, obviously. a good sofrito recipe is key too.

Trust me, the sofrito is the soul of this dish. it's what makes it so special. you'll also need pigeon peas.

Plus, a few bits and bobs to make it sing. think ham, peppers, and a secret weapon. sazón!

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1/2 cup diced smoked ham or bacon (about 2 oz / 60g)
• 1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium, about 75g)
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper (1 medium, about 75g)
• 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper (1 medium, about 37g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 2 teaspoons / 10 ml)
• 1 packet (1.25 oz / 35g) sazón with achiote
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (5 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (2.5 ml)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat - 1.25ml)
• 2 cups medium-grain rice (400g), such as Valencia or Carolina
• 3 cups chicken broth (720ml)
• 1 (15 ounce / 425g) can pigeon peas (gandules), drained and rinsed
• 1 (8 ounce / 225g) can tomato sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (a small handful)
• Salt and pepper to taste

This easy rice recipes will become your new go-to. It’s proper tasty. Even Prue Leith would be impressed!

Abuela's Authentic Arroz con Gandules: A Taste of Puerto Rico Recipe Card

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1/2 cup diced smoked ham or bacon (about 2 oz / 60g)
• 1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium, about 75g)
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper (1 medium, about 75g)
• 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper (1 medium, about 37g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 2 teaspoons / 10 ml)
• 1 packet (1.25 oz / 35g) sazón with achiote
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (5 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (2.5 ml)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat - 1.25ml)
• 2 cups medium-grain rice (400g), such as Valencia or Carolina
• 3 cups chicken broth (720ml)
• 1 (15 ounce / 425g) can pigeon peas (gandules), drained and rinsed
• 1 (8 ounce / 225g) can tomato sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (a small handful)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in the pot over medium heat. Add ham or bacon and cook until lightly browned. Add onion, bell peppers, and garlic; sauté until softened.
• Stir in sazón, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
• Add the rice and stir to coat it well with the sofrito mixture. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Pour in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then stir in the drained pigeon peas.
• Reduce heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Do not lift the lid during cooking!
• Remove from heat and let the Arroz con Gandules rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork, discard bay leaf, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:420

Fat:12g

Fiber:5g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Puerto Rican

Ingredients & Equipment for the Perfect Arroz con Gandules recipe

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. making banging arroz con gandules is all about getting the right bits and bobs, innit? this isn’t just any rice dish; it's puerto rican rice recipe magic.

Main Ingredients Breakdown

Here's a list of what you'll need.

• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) . Nothing fancy, just regular olive oil.
• Smoked Ham or Bacon: 1/2 cup diced (about 2 oz / 60g) . Quality matters here. Proper bacon is the way forward.
• Onion: 1/2 cup diced (1 medium, about 75g) . Yellow or white will do.
• Red Bell Pepper: 1/2 cup diced (1 medium, about 75g) . Adds a bit of sweetness.
• Green Bell Pepper: 1/4 cup diced (1 medium, about 37g) . For that classic flavour profile.
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced (approx. 2 teaspoons / 10 ml) . Don't skimp!
• Sazón with Achiote: 1 packet (1.25 oz / 35g) . Crucial for that authentic colour and flavour.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Dried is fine.
• Ground Cumin: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) . Earthy notes are key.
• Cayenne Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (optional, for heat - 1.25ml) . Only if you like a kick.
• Medium-Grain Rice: 2 cups (400g) , Valencia or Carolina. Don’t use long-grain, yeah? That’s just wrong. This is the best rice recipe for this dish.
• Chicken Broth: 3 cups (720ml) . Low-sodium is best, so you can control the salt.
• Pigeon Peas (Gandules): 1 (15 ounce / 425g) can , drained and rinsed. Obviously.
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (8 ounce / 225g) can . Basic tomato sauce will do.
• Bay Leaf: 1 . Don't forget it!
• Cilantro: 1/4 cup, chopped . Fresh, always.
• Salt and pepper: To taste, obvs.

Essential Spices & Flavours: My Seasoning Notes

This isn’t just about chucking ingredients in. honestly, getting the spices right makes all the difference. the sazón is a must – that achiote gives it that beautiful colour.

Oregano and cumin are your trusty sidekicks! think boricua recipes right here. and a good sofrito recipe that we have in other section, is a secret weapon for building that deep, complex flavour base.

Bits and Bobs: Equipment You Need

Okay, no need for fancy gadgets. i will tell you, though, that a large pot with a tight-fitting lid (dutch oven or similar), makes this gandules rice recipe easy.

You'll need some basic bits, but nothing crazy.

• Large pot with a tight-fitting lid (Dutch oven or similar): For cooking the rice evenly. Essential.
• Cutting board and Chef's knife: You know, for chopping. A given.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy is key. Or just wing it, like I usually do.

You can totally improvise if you're missing something. don’t have a proper measuring spoon? use a teaspoon from your cutlery drawer.

Easy peasy! after all, this authentic arroz con gandules should be accessible.

Abuela's Authentic Arroz con Gandules: A Taste of Puerto Rico

Oh my gosh, are you ready for this? we're making abuela's authentic arroz con gandules . this ain't just any rice dish.

It's puerto rican rice recipe magic in a pot! it's a warm hug from the caribbean, and honestly, who doesn't need that?

Transport yourself to the sunny shores with this classic arroz con gandules recipe . this savory rice dish, bursting with the earthy flavors of pigeon peas, sofrito, and a hint of spice, is the perfect comfort food for any occasion.

Think of it as a warm hug in a bowl, seasoned with generations of tradition. this best rice recipe is rated medium difficulty.

Prep time: 20 minutes . cook time: 45 minutes . total time: 1 hour 5 minutes . serves 6.

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place

Okay, let's get organised, yeah? good prep is key. dice up your onion, bell peppers and mince the garlic. measure out your spices.

Trust me, it makes life so much easier. get your chicken broth ready. drain and rinse those pigeon peas! honestly, this mise en place step saves you time later.

The Step-by-Step Samba: Cooking the Arroz con Gandules

1. Sauté those aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced smoked ham (or bacon!). Cook until it is browned lightly. Chuck in 1/2 cup diced onion , 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper , 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper and 2 cloves minced garlic . Sauté until softened.
2. Build the flavour!: Stir in 1 packet sazón with achiote , 1 teaspoon dried oregano , 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin , and a pinch of cayenne if you are feeling feisty! Cook for 1 minute , stirring constantly until fragrant. This is where the sofrito recipe comes alive, baby!
3. Rice time: Add 2 cups of medium-grain rice (Valencia or Carolina are fab). Stir it well. Make sure it is coated in that beautiful sofrito mixture. Cook for 2 minutes , stirring.
4. Liquid and gandules: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth , 1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce , and 1 bay leaf . Bring it to a boil. Then, stir in 1 (15 ounce) can of drained pigeon peas .
5. Simmer time: Reduce heat to low, cover it tight, and simmer for 20- 25 minutes , or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Seriously, do not lift the lid !
6. Resting time: Remove from heat. Let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes . This is crucial!
7. Serve: Fluff with a fork. Discard the bay leaf. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro . Serve hot.

Top Tips from My Kitchen

Here is my tip. the secret to incredible arroz con gandules recipe ? don't rush that sofrito! build those flavors slowly.

Rinsing the rice helps too, keeps it from getting sticky. now, go wow your friends with this authentic arroz con gandules and your new boricua recipes .

Recipe Notes for the Best Rice Recipe

Alright, let's dive into some extra tidbits! this arroz con gandules recipe is already amazing. but, we can make it even better.

Honestly, these are things i've learned over the years. let's make your authentic arroz con gandules the talk of the town.

Serving Like a Pro: Plating and Pairings

Presentation matters, you know? I like to serve my Puerto Rican rice recipe in a nice bowl. Top it with a little extra cilantro. Maybe a lime wedge.

For sides, consider some crispy tostones. or a simple green salad. oh my gosh, and don't forget the pernil! it’s the perfect puerto rican christmas food .

A cold medalla beer? yes, please!

Storage Secrets: Keeping it Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop the gandules rice recipe in an airtight container. Into the fridge it goes. It'll keep for about three to four days.

Freezing is an option too! just be sure to cool it completely first. then, portion it out into freezer-safe bags.

Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water.

Mix it Up: Variations on a Theme

Want to make it vegetarian? Easy peasy! Just skip the ham or bacon. Add some smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.

Watching your salt intake? Use low-sodium broth. You can also swap out the pigeon peas. Black-eyed peas work too! Just remember it won't be arroz con gandules recipe , exactly.

Nutrition Nuggets: Goodness in Every Bite

This easy rice recipes is more than just delicious. It’s got fiber from the pigeon peas. Plus, protein and some vitamins. It's a pretty balanced dish. It's proper Boricua Recipes .

Just be mindful of the sodium. Especially if you're using store-bought broth. Make sure to check out our recipe to Sofrito Recipe .

So, there you have it! Everything you need to make this Caribbean Recipes shine. Get in the kitchen and give this pigeon peas and rice recipe a go. You got this!