Savory Spanish Pigeon Peas Rice (Arroz con Gandules)
Experience the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico with this Savory Spanish Pigeon Peas Rice, known as Arroz con Gandules. This beloved dish combines fluffy long-grain rice with tender pigeon peas, aromatic sofrito, and briny olives, creating a colorful and satisfying meal that can be served as a main course or a delightful side. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a family dinner, this recipe captures the essence of Latin American cooking and is sure to be a hit at your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Butter
1/4 lb (none)
Sofrito sauce
8 teaspoons (found in the ethnic aisle)
Stuffed olives
16 (none)
Salt
2 teaspoons (none)
Pigeon peas
1 lb (fresh or canned)
Long grain rice
4 cups (rinsed and drained)
Water
8 cups (none)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over low heat. Add sofrito sauce and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly caramelized.
2
Stir in the butter, stuffed olives, and salt, mixing well to combine all the ingredients.
3
Add the pigeon peas and stir to incorporate into the mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4
Add the rinsed long-grain rice to the pot, stirring thoroughly to coat the rice with the flavorful mixture.
5
Pour in the water, leaving the pot uncovered. Increase the heat to medium and allow the water to evaporate while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6
Once the water has mostly evaporated and the rice is dry, gently Turn the rice over using a spatula or fork. Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
7
Let the rice steam on low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to become fluffy.
8
After 20 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork, turning it gently. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arroz con Gandules?
Arroz con Gandules is a vibrant and savory traditional Puerto Rican dish consisting of rice and pigeon peas.
What are the primary ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include long-grain rice, pigeon peas, sofrito sauce, vegetable oil, butter, stuffed olives, salt, and water.
What type of rice should I use?
This recipe specifically calls for 4 cups of long-grain rice, which should be rinsed and drained before cooking.
Where can I find sofrito sauce?
Sofrito sauce is commonly found in the ethnic or international aisle of most grocery stores.
Can I use canned pigeon peas for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either 1 lb of fresh or canned pigeon peas for this dish.
How much water is needed for the rice?
You will need 8 cups of water to cook the 4 cups of rice specified in the recipe.
What is the recommended amount of butter?
The recipe requires 1/4 lb of butter to add richness to the rice.
How many stuffed olives are added?
The recipe calls for 16 stuffed olives to provide a briny flavor.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to heat vegetable oil over low heat and sauté the sofrito sauce for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
How long should I sauté the sofrito?
You should sauté the sofrito sauce for about 2 to 3 minutes until it is lightly caramelized.
Do I need to cover the pot while the water evaporates?
No, you should leave the pot uncovered while the water evaporates over medium heat.
What should I do once the water has evaporated?
Once the water is mostly gone and the rice is dry, gently turn the rice over, cover the pot, and reduce heat to low.
How long does the rice need to steam?
The rice needs to steam on low heat for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to become fluffy.
What should I do after the 20-minute steaming period?
After 20 minutes, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
Is this dish considered a main course or a side?
Arroz con Gandules is a versatile dish that can be served as either a satisfying main course or a delightful side dish.
Is this Arroz con Gandules recipe vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients and tags provided, this recipe is suitable for a vegetarian diet.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of salt to season the rice and peas.
At what heat should the initial oil be heated?
The vegetable oil should be heated over low heat to begin the sautéing process.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 total ingredients used in this Savory Spanish Pigeon Peas Rice recipe.
What is the role of the vegetable oil?
The vegetable oil is used to sauté the sofrito and start the base flavors of the dish.
Can I use frozen pigeon peas?
While the recipe specifies fresh or canned, frozen pigeon peas can generally be used as a substitute for fresh.
Does the rice need to be prepared in any special way?
Yes, the long-grain rice should be thoroughly rinsed and drained before being added to the pot.
How many teaspoons of sofrito sauce are required?
The recipe requires 8 teaspoons of sofrito sauce.
What type of cuisine is this?
This is a classic Puerto Rican and Latin American dish.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, Arroz con Gandules is highly regarded as a traditional comfort food.
How should I turn the rice?
The rice should be turned gently using a spatula or a fork to ensure even cooking without breaking the grains.
Should the heat be adjusted during cooking?
Yes, the heat transitions from low for sautéing, to medium for evaporation, and back to low for steaming.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The finished rice should be fluffy and the pigeon peas should be tender.
Can I serve this for special occasions?
Yes, this dish is perfect for celebrating special occasions or enjoying as part of a family dinner.
How many tablespoons of vegetable oil are used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.