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Arroz con Gandules Recipe

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Arroz con gandules, or rice with pigeon peas, is a comforting and aromatic dish that brings together tender rice, flavorful pigeon peas, and a medley of aromatic herbs and spices. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed as a hearty main course, this recipe is sure to transport you to sun-drenched shores and bustling marketplaces with each delicious bite. Join us on a culinary journey to the heart of Puerto Rico as we share the secrets to creating this iconic dish in your kitchen.

arroz-Con-Grandules in a bowl.

What you’ll love about Arroz Con Gandules:

  • RICH FLAVOR – The combination of tender rice, flavorful pigeon peas, and aromatic herbs and spices creates a rich and savory flavor profile that’s simply irresistible.
  • VERSATILE – Whether served as a side dish alongside your favorite proteins or enjoyed as a satisfying main course on its own, Arroz Con Gandules is incredibly versatile and complements a wide range of dishes.
  • EASY TO MAKE – Despite its complex flavors, Arroz Con Gandules is surprisingly easy to make, requiring just a handful of simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques. With a little bit of time and effort, you can create a dish that’s sure to impress.
  • Family and Community: Arroz Con Gandules is often enjoyed as part of festive gatherings and family celebrations, bringing people together around the dinner table to share good food and good company. It’s a dish that fosters a sense of community and togetherness.
  • Memories and Traditions: For many people, Arroz Con Gandules is more than just a dish – it’s a symbol of cherished memories, family traditions, and special occasions. Whether enjoyed at home or in a bustling restaurant, it has the power to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia.
  • Nourishing and Satisfying: Packed with protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, Arroz Con Gandules is not only delicious but also nourishing and satisfying, making it a perfect choice for a hearty and wholesome meal.
rice-on-a-spoon

Ingredients for Arroz Con Gandules

Arroz Con Gandules Recipe

  • Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant. Add the diced ham steak and ham bone, allowing them to cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned and flavorful.
Saute-garlic-and-ham-in-dutch-oven.
  • Incorporate the sofrito, opting for either the tomato or cilantro base according to personal preference. Stir in the pigeon peas, olives with pimentos, and capers, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
adding sofrito to the pan with the ham.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add sazon packets for a burst of seasoning. Stir in the long-grain rice, ensuring each grain is coated in the savory mixture. Toss in bay leaves for added depth of flavor.
adding olives, and gandules to pot
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and allow the ingredients to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
rice added to pan
  • To prevent sticking, give the mixture a gentle stir every 5 minutes. Once the rice is cooked to perfection, serve it hot and enjoy the rich flavors of this deliciously seasoned dish!
bring-to-boil-and-saute-arroz-con
Arroz-Con-Gandules-in-a-serving-bowl

Tips & Tricks

  • Use Quality Ingredients: Start with high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and good-quality rice and pigeon peas.
  • Prepare Homemade Sofrito: While store-bought sofrito can be convenient, making your homemade sofrito with fresh ingredients adds an extra layer of flavor to your Arroz Con Gandules. Blend onions, peppers, garlic, cilantro, and other herbs for a vibrant base.
  • Soak Pigeon Peas: If using dried pigeon peas, soak them in water overnight to soften them before cooking. This will help reduce cooking time and ensure they’re tender in the final dish.
  • Seasoning: Don’t be afraid to season generously with spices like cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. These aromatic spices add depth and complexity to the dish.
  • Choose the Right Rice: Opt for a long-grain rice variety like jasmine or basmati for the best texture and flavor in your Arroz Con Gandules.
  • Simmer Slowly: Allow the ingredients to simmer over low heat to fully develop the flavors. This also helps ensure that the rice cooks evenly without becoming mushy.
  • Add Flavorful Broth: Use homemade chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor. If using store-bought broth, opt for low-sodium varieties to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Stir Occasionally: Stir the rice occasionally while it’s cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and ensure even cooking.
  • Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro or parsley over the finished dish for a burst of freshness and color.
  • Let it Rest: Allow the Arroz Con Gandules to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. This also helps the rice to firm up slightly for the perfect texture.

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to creating delicious and authentic Arroz Con Gandules that bursting with flavor and sure to impress!

Arroz-Con-Plated

FAQs about Arroz Con Gandules

Arroz Con Gandules is a traditional Puerto Rican rice dish made with pigeon peas, aromatic herbs and spices, and sometimes meat or vegetables. It’s a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine and is often served as a side dish or main course during special occasions and celebrations.

Pigeon peas, also known as gandules in Spanish, are a type of legume that is commonly used in Caribbean and Latin American cooking. They have a slightly nutty flavor and a creamy texture, making them a popular ingredient in dishes like Arroz Con Gandules.

Sofrito is a flavorful cooking base made with onions, peppers, garlic, cilantro, and other herbs and spices. It adds depth of flavor to many Caribbean and Latin American dishes, including Arroz Con Gandules. You can make sofrito at home by blending together fresh ingredients or purchase it pre-made at the store for convenience.

Arroz Con Gandules can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Be sure to cool the dish completely before storing it in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth.

Yes, Arroz Con Gandules freezes well. Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Arroz-Con-Gandules.

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arroz-Con-Grandules in a bowl.

Arroz con Gandules recipe

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Arroz con gandules, or rice with pigeon peas, is a comforting and aromatic dish that brings together tender rice, flavorful pigeon peas, and a medley of aromatic herbs and spices. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed as a hearty main course, this recipe is sure to transport you to sun-drenched shores and bustling marketplaces with each delicious bite. Join us on a culinary journey to the heart of Puerto Rico as we share the secrets to creating this iconic dish in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Add the diced ham steak and ham bone, allowing them to cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned and flavorful.
3. Incorporate the sofrito, opting for either the tomato or cilantro base according to personal preference.
4. Stir in the pigeon peas, olives with pimentos, and capers, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and add sazon packets for a burst of seasoning.
6. Stir in the long-grain rice, ensuring each grain is coated in the savory mixture.
7. Toss in bay leaves for added depth of flavor.
8. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
9. Cover the skillet and allow the ingredients to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
10. To prevent sticking, give the mixture a gentle stir every 5 minutes.
11. Once the rice is cooked to perfection, serve hot and enjoy the rich flavors of this deliciously seasoned dish!

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 247Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 1278mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g

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© Adventures of a Nurse
Cuisine: puetro rican / Category: Cast iron Recipes

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Welcome to the place where my two passions—healthcare and culinary arts—merge. I’m Carla Bushey, and I’ve transitioned from a dedicated nursing career of over 25 years into the dynamic world of food blogging. This space is dedicated to bringing you a treasure trove of recipes, each a testament to the tastes and traditions that resonate with my soul. My home, the beautiful Upstate New York, serves as the backdrop to my culinary creations, often inspired by the rich cultural heritage and the classic Italian cuisine of my hometown, Utica. Dishes like the beloved Chicken Riggies and the comforting Utica Greens are more than just recipes—they are stories, shared from my kitchen to yours.

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