Arroz con Gandules
From Evangeline’s kitchen
ingredients
- ½ pound pork loin (optional)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 green pepper
- 2–4 garlic cloves
- 6 branches cilantro
- 1 fresh tomato, diced
- 16 ounce can gandules (cooked green pigeon peas)
- 4 cups water
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp alcaparado (mix of olives and capers)
- 1 can pimientos morrones (cooked red peppers)
- 2 cups rice (long grain), rinsed
- 3 tbsp oil
directions
- Heat oil in a medium heavy pan over medium heat. Cook marinated pork (if using) until golden brown.
- Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add green pepper, mashed garlic, cilantro, and fresh tomato.
- Add the can of gandules (including liquid), water, tomato sauce, alcaparado, and pimientos morrones. There should be 4 cups of liquid total, including gandules juice and tomato sauce. Add salt to taste.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the liquid is absorbed (about 15–20 minutes).
- Reduce heat further to keep the rice burning. Once water is absorbed, turn gently from bottom to top once or twice.
- Cover and cook on low heat until rice is tender, about 25 minutes total. Turn the rice one more time and serve.