Arroz con Gandules

Welcome to the Party!

Arroz con gandules, a Puerto Rican staple, is a flavorful rice dish bursting with vibrant colors and tropical flavors. Its history traces back to the island's rich cultural heritage, blending Spanish, African, and Taíno influences. This hearty dish features rice, pigeon peas, sofrito, and a medley of spices like cumin, oregano, and achiote. It's the ideal side dish for any occasion, offering a comforting and satisfying taste experience. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, arroz con gandules is a simple yet impressive dish that will elevate your meal.

I pray you enjoy the process of cooking this dish. It is best made when you have a good 30 minutes-one hour to yourself. While it cooks, grab your favorite book or watch your best T.V show. If you want to have one of the most relaxing nights of cooking dinner, pair this rice with an oven-baked chicken and veggie and sit back while your dinner is cooking to perfection. 15 minutes of peace and quiet go a long way!

Puerto Rican Style Rice & Beans

8 Servings

15 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

STEPS:

1. Add 1/3 cup achiote oil to a rice pot on medium heat.

2. Add the ham cubes.

3. Add your garlic and sauté the garlic and ham until fragrant and browned slightly. If the heat is too high, feel free to turn it down a bit.

4. Add 1/3 cup of sofrito and sauté that with the garlic and ham for about 2 minutes.

5. Add a tablespoon more of the achiote oil.

6. Add 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce and mix in evenly.

7. Add the frozen pigeon peas and mix those until coated well.

8. Add your powder seasonings. The annatto powder, cumin, and oregano. Mix in with a little water if you find the mixture too dry or beginning to thicken too much.

9. Add your rice, dry or washed is fine. Mix your rice with the ingredients in the pot until well coated and combined.

10. Add the water and stir. The water should be 1/2 inch above the rice.

11. Allow the rice to cook on medium or at a boil until the water all cooks away and all you see is the rice revealed in a flat layer.

12. Once the water is gone, turn the burner to the lowest setting, put the pot cover on, and allow the rice to cook unbothered for 15 minutes.

13. After the 15 minutes, fluff the rice with a fork or mix around with a spoon and serve!

4 cups-medium grain rice

1.5 cups cubed ham or meat of choice

1 bag frozen pigeon peas

Puerto Rican style sofrito

achiote oil

tomato sauce

annatto powder

1 tbsp. salt

2 tsp oregano

dash cumin

1 tbsp. mince or paste garlic

4 cup water

I am so grateful that you chose to cook my Arroz con Gandules recipe! It brings me joy to know you’re enjoying this flavorful dish. I would love to see how your Arroz con Gandules turned out. Share your beautiful pots of rice with me by sending a photo to my contact page. And don’t forget to share this deliciousness with friends and family!

Pat Yourself on the Back