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Puerto Rican Rice Recipe

This Puerto Rican rice recipe (arroz con gandules) is fluffy long-grain rice cooked with sofrito, pigeon peas, tomato, and seasonings for a savory side dish that steals the show.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup diced ham optional
  • ½ cup onion finely diced
  • ½ cup green bell pepper finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ⅓ cup sofrito or use the onion/pepper/garlic mixture above plus ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • ⅓ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 packet sazón preferably with annatto, or 1½ teaspoons sazón-style seasoning
  • 1½ teaspoons adobo seasoning start with 1 teaspoon if your broth is salty
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 15-ounce can pigeon peas (gandules), drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups long grain white rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth or water

Instructions
 

  • (Optional) Rinse rice in cool water until mostly clear. Drain well.
  • Heat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add ham (if using) and cook 3 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.
  • Add onion and bell pepper and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
  • Add garlic and sofrito and cook 30 seconds.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings (sazón, adobo, oregano, pepper) and add bay leaf. Cook 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add pigeon peas and stir to coat.
  • Add rice and stir 1 to 2 minutes to toast and coat the grains.
  • Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir once to combine, then stop stirring.
  • Cover and simmer on low for 18 to 20 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
  • Rest off heat for 10 minutes, covered. Remove bay leaf, fluff with a fork, and serve.

Notes

  • Drain the pigeon peas well so the liquid ratio stays correct.
  • Keep the heat low while simmering. High heat can scorch the bottom before the rice cooks through.
  • If the rice is slightly undercooked at the end, add 2 tablespoons water, cover, and steam on low for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 280gCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 520mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2g