Savor the Island: Puerto Rican Beans and Rice
Experience the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico with this authentic Beans and Rice dish. A staple in Puerto Rican households, this recipe combines creamy pink beans, hearty diced potatoes, and aromatic sofrito, resulting in a comforting meal that pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or succulent pork chops. It's also versatile enough to stand alone as a main course—just top with fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado for a colorful and nutritious feast. When making this dish to serve as a main course, I recommend doubling the recipe and enjoying it over a fragrant coconut rice (see recipe #220492) for an elevated touch. Special credit goes to my talented friend Michelle for this family favorite.
2-4 servings
Servings
121
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
pink beans
15 ounces (undrained)
olive oil
1 tablespoon
sofrito sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons
fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon (minced)
medium potato
1 (peeled and diced)
tomato sauce
3 tablespoons
sazon goya
0.5 envelope (1/2 ounce) (con cilantro)
water
3 cups
green olives
2 tablespoons (optional)
cooked white rice
2 cups
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the undrained pink beans, olive oil, sofrito sauce, minced cilantro, diced potato, tomato sauce, sazon goya, and water.
2
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
3
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors meld together.
4
If desired, stir in the green olives during the last 10 minutes of cooking to infuse their briny flavor.
5
While the beans are simmering, prepare your cooked white rice, rinsing before cooking for optimal texture.
6
Serve the flavorful beans over a bed of rice, and garnish with fresh lettuce, tomato, and avocado for a refreshing finish.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
24g
Carbs
4g
Protein
5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savor the Island: Puerto Rican Beans and Rice?
It is an authentic Puerto Rican dish featuring creamy pink beans, hearty diced potatoes, and aromatic sofrito served over white rice.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 2-4 servings.
What are the main nutritional facts for this dish?
Per serving, it contains 121 calories, 2g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates, 4g of protein, and 5g of fiber.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as vegetarian and contains no meat products.
What type of beans should I use?
The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of pink beans.
Should I drain the pink beans before cooking?
No, the pink beans should be used undrained to contribute to the sauce.
What is sofrito sauce?
Sofrito is an aromatic blend of herbs and vegetables used as a flavor base in Puerto Rican cooking; this recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons.
What kind of oil is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
How should the potato be prepared?
You should use one medium potato that has been peeled and diced.
What is Sazon Goya?
It is a seasoning blend; this recipe uses 0.5 envelope (1/2 ounce) of Sazon Goya con cilantro.
How much water is needed for the bean mixture?
The recipe requires 3 cups of water.
How long do the beans need to simmer?
The beans should simmer covered for about 1 hour until the sauce has thickened.
When should I add the green olives?
If you choose to use them, stir in the green olives during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Is the green olive addition mandatory?
No, the green olives are listed as an optional ingredient to infuse a briny flavor.
What type of rice is traditionally served with these beans?
The beans are served over 2 cups of cooked white rice.
Is there a tip for preparing the white rice?
Yes, it is recommended to rinse the rice before cooking for the best possible texture.
Can this dish be served as a main course?
Yes, it is versatile enough for a main course when topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado.
What meat dishes pair well with these beans?
It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or succulent pork chops.
How can I elevate this dish for a more special meal?
The author recommends doubling the recipe and serving it over fragrant coconut rice.
What garnishes are suggested for this dish?
Fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado are suggested for a refreshing finish.
How much tomato sauce is included?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce.
Does the recipe use fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses 1 teaspoon of minced fresh cilantro.
What heat level should I use to start the cooking?
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat before reducing to low.
What is the fiber content of this recipe?
There are 5 grams of fiber per serving.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, nutrient-dense meal.
Who is credited for this recipe?
The recipe is a family favorite credited to a friend named Michelle.
Can I find the coconut rice recipe mentioned in the description?
Yes, the description references recipe #220492 for the fragrant coconut rice.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 4 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 24 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fat is in the dish?
The dish contains only 2 grams of fat per serving.