Zesty Cilantro Flounder With Pigeon Peas And Rice Food

ARROZ CON GANDULES (PUERTO RICAN RICE AND PIGEON PEAS)

Steps:

• 1. Heat a large heavy bottomed pot, or a caldero if you have one, over medium heat. If using ham or bacon, slowly cook the meat until crispy, remove meat from pot and set aside leaving the drippings. If not using meat, add olive oil before continuing with the next step. 2. Then, add the gandules, tomato sauce, green olives, sofrito, salt, adobo seasoning, sazon, ground black pepper and ground cumin. Stir to fully combine. 3. Once the mixture becomes fragrant, pour in the water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and then add the rice. Stir until rice is submerged and pigeon peas are distributed evenly. 4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 25 minutes. You can add your ham or bacon back in now if you want, or wait to add it in again before serving. Traditionally the rice would be covered with a banana or plantain leaf. However, a tight fitting pot lid will work just fine! 5. About half way through cooking, remove the lid and stir, making sure to scrape up any rice stuck at the bottom of the pan. This is a very touchy subject - some Puerto Ricans insist that you don't stir the rice while cooking. That the crispy bottom bites are the best part! While others would prefer more evenly cooked rice. Whatever you do, if you do stir the rice, make sure you only do it once or the rice can become sticky. 6. After simmering for 25 minutes, remove the arroz con gandules from the heat and let it sit for an additional 30 minutes before serving. This is called letting the rice "steam". The rice is done once all the liquid is absorbed. 7. After letting the rice rest for about a half hour, remove the lid. Fluff and stir the rice, then serve warm with fresh cilantro, if desired.

PIGEON PEAS AND RICE

Steps:

• Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the oil and bacon. Cook, stirring, until the bacon is crispy and golden and the fat has rendered, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onions, green peppers, red peppers, rice and salt; cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and the rice is lightly toasted. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring. Add the oregano, cumin, pigeon peas, tomatoes, chicken stock and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the rice is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with cilantro and scallions.

ARROZ CON GANDULES (RICE WITH PIGEON PEAS)

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook Sofrito in oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add rice and sazon; cook and stir until rice is lightly toasted, 3-4 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until rice is tender, 15-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

ARROZ CON GANDULES (YELLOW RICE WITH PIGEON PEAS)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil and salt pork over medium-high heat. Add sofrito and cook 1 minute. Add tomato paste and mix well, cook for 2 minutes. Add rice and cook 2 minutes being careful not to scorch the rice, turning all the time. Add saffron and gandules and stir constantly. Add liquid, stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper to taste and bring everything to a boil. Lower heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes. Do not disturb. After 15 minutes, check the rice. Stir. Recover. Turn off heat and let steam for 5 minutes more. Serve immediately with pernil asado or alone. The rice should be fluffy and separate. The color should be golden.
• Mix together all ingredients and set aside to let flavors meld together.

KEEMA WITH PEAS AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl. Discard the fat.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, garam masala and turmeric and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes are softened, about 1 minute; season with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Return the meat to the skillet; stir in the yogurt and 1 1/4 cups water. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the mixture is thick (similar to chili), about 12 minutes.
• Stir in the peas and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the rice among bowls and top with the meat mixture. Top with yogurt and cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

PIGEON PEAS AND RICE

Steps:

• Place the olive oil in a deep saucepan and saute the onion, garlic, green pepper, oregano, basil, cayenne and salt pork until the onion is translucent.
• Drain the pigeon peas and add to the mixture. Stir to coat, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Add the bay leaf and enough water to cover and simmer until the peas are firm, about 1 hour. Adjust water and add salt and pepper to taste if desired.
• Add the rice and enough water to cover to a depth of 1 inch. Continue simmering until the rice is done, about 20 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. Let stand for 15 minutes. Stir before serving.

RICE WITH PIGEON PEAS

Steps:

• Cook and stir first 5 ingredients in large skillet on medium-high heat 5 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Add water, peas, tomato sauce and seasonings; stir. Bring to boil.
• Stir in rice; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 20 min. or until rice is tender.