Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups long grain white rice (washed and rinsed well)
3 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons Recaito
1/4 cup chopped pork salt

1/4 cup chopped bacon
2 tablespoons Spanish olives

1 tablespoon capers

1/4 cup chopped onions

1 clove garlic, minced
1 (15 oz.) can green pigeon peas, drained
1 envelope sazon with culantro and achiote
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground comino (cumin)
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons chicken bouillon

Directions:

Start by heating the oil in a pot at high heat, and when the oil is nice and hot, add the salt pork.

When the salt pork is cooked but not crisp, add the bacon. 

Once browned, add Recaito, (a unique cilantro-based seasoning base that enhances the flavor) onions and garlic, olives, capers, comino (cumin), oregano, black pepper and envelope of sazon. Stir fry all together for about 1 minute.

 

Add pigeon peas, tomato paste, then add the water and bring to boil.

Wash rice under cold running water until water is clear and drain. Add rice to pot, chicken boullion and stir.

 

Once the liquid has began to boil and most of the water has cooked off, lower heat to lowest setting, and stir 1 more time, top with bay leaves, then cover with tight lid.

Let this cook for about 10 minutes on a low heat setting, remove cover and bay leaves, turn rice, and continue to cook at low heat for another 15 minutes until the rice is tender. Enjoy!

Tip:  Do not stir, but turn the rice with a large serving spoon. For a variation, add some cubed ham when adding the sofrito. The best part of this rice is the crust which forms on the bottom, called the pegao!

Mofongo (Puerto Rican Garlicky Mashed Plantains)

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

4 green plantains

1 cup chicken broth

Oil, for frying

6 – 7 oz bag, pork cracklings/rinds (chicharron)

4 large, cloves garlic, chopped

¼ cup, olive oil

Directions:

Peel plantains and cut into 1-inch chunks.

Pour oil into a deep medium skillet and heat to 350 degrees F.

Once the oil is ready, gently add the plantain chunks to the frying oil by holding them against the side of the skillet and allowing them to slide into the oil. Cook the plantains until golden brown, about 5 – 7  minutes. Carefully, remove from oil and set aside.

Process in two batches, while plantains are still slightly hot, add  1/2  cooked plantains into a food processor with ½ the garlic, 1/2 the chicken broth, ½ the pork rinds, and ½ the olive oil. Process the mixture to the consistency of mashed potatoes or dough. Follow same instructions for second batch.

Quickly shape the mixture into rough balls about the size of meatballs. 

Tip: Place the plantains in soup bowls and add some heated broth. Garnish, with lime rinds and pork rinds! Ladle shrimp scampi over the mofongo! Serve as a side dish!