Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Arroz Con Gandules

Editor's note: Sometime between 3 and 4 AM last night, I woke up to the realization that we had left off one of the primary ingredients (there's a scary look into the way my mind works!), so I edited it to add the can of gandules. If you copied the recipe prior to 4AM or so, you may want to check and make sure you have that ingredient on there.

Editor's note to editor's note: My wife called me around 9:15 AM and pointed out that she drains the can of gandules (green pigeon peas) and discards the liquid. Be sure to ammend your recipe (because I just know there are soooo many people out there writing this one down), otherwise, you may end up with soupy rice, which would still taste good, but is not ideal.


My wife makes a delicious arroz con gandules. It is a traditional puertorican dish, yellow rice with pigeon peas and pork.

  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil

  • 1 small onion - chopped

  • 1/2 bell pepper - chopped

  • 2 small pork chops or equivalent amount of fresh pork w/ some fat - cut into small pieces

  • 2 Tbsp. Sofrito (optional, but adds that special latin flavor)

  • 2 packets of Sazón (the yellow kind with saffron)
  • 1 15 oz. can of gandules (green pigeon peas), drain and discard the liquid

  • 2 cups medium grain rice

  • 3 ½ cups water

  • 2 ½ cubes or packets chicken bullion

  • 1 handful fresh cilantro - chopped



Preheat oven to 350°. In a caldero (or other oven safe pan with a lid), sauté chopped onion and green pepper in the olive oil, add the pork and sauté for another minute or two, then add the rest of the ingredients (except the cilantro) and bring to a boil. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. After baking stir in chopped cilantro and serve - It's so easy and it comes out perfect every time!

Notice: most Latin American rice dishes use medium grain rice, rather than long grain, and it makes a difference in the flavor and consistency of the finished dishes. We have found that when we can’t find it in the local grocery stores (for some reason most only carry long grain and instant rices), the oriental food stores will have it, often labeled as sushi rice. We buy the 50 lb. bag, but we eat a LOT of rice.













2 comments:

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Got any leftover? I'm sold on all/any rice dish!

It would be easier if hubby is more adventurous in trying new food, unfortunately he's not. :(

p/s: JP, my husband was a tractor trailer driver for many years(since he was 21). The last job he had, he drove for a local supermarket. He said he misses driving sometimes(get to go to different places & meet people) but doesn't miss the traffic and the way people drive.

JP said...

I also liked the going different places and meeting different people, for the most part. But I didn't like not getting home for weeks at a time, and not making hardly any money (since I was just starting out). And I agree with him about the way people drive!