Any special occasion meal in Puerto Rico would not be complete without Arroz con Gandules. After all, Rice with Pigeon Peas is Puerto Rico's national dish. This recipe is a rice and pea dish seasoned with sofrito and diced ham.
1. Heat olive oil in a 6-quart pot. Saute the sofrito and chopped ham for 1 minute.
2. Add the rice, water, sazón and gandules.
3. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 2 to 3 minutes
4. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes.
5. When finished cooking, stir the rice before serving. It should be light and fluffy.
Tip: Do not use a lid with a vent that allows the steam to escape. Never lift the lid while cooking.
My mother's memory:
To my mother, this is her favorite food because it was the first type of rice she learned how to cook with my grandmother. in puerto rico, rice is a natural food and a very common food so it was very important to my mom. My mom has been making rice with pigeon peas "forever."
Zair's Puerto Rican Christmas rice
Any special occasion meal in Puerto Rico would not be complete without Arroz con Gandules. After all, Rice with Pigeon Peas is Puerto Rico's national dish. This recipe is a rice and pea dish seasoned with sofrito and diced ham.
By: Zair Menjivar
Source: My mother, Maribel
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time:45-50 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes-1 hour
Serving size: 4 to 6 people
Ingredients:
sazon (seasoning)
Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in a 6-quart pot. Saute the sofrito and chopped ham for 1 minute.2. Add the rice, water, sazón and gandules.
3. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 2 to 3 minutes
4. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes.
5. When finished cooking, stir the rice before serving. It should be light and fluffy.
Tip: Do not use a lid with a vent that allows the steam to escape. Never lift the lid while cooking.
My mother's memory:
To my mother, this is her favorite food because it was the first type of rice she learned how to cook with my grandmother. in puerto rico, rice is a natural food and a very common food so it was very important to my mom. My mom has been making rice with pigeon peas "forever."