Arroz con Gandules

Arroz con Gandules is a traditional Puerto Rican dish widely regarded as a holiday favorite. It is a flavorful rice dish seasoned with sofrito and studded with pigeon peas, known as gandules in Spanish. This dish is a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine and is often served alongside roast pork or other festive meals. Arroz con Gandules has its roots in Puerto Rican agrarian culture, where simple ingredients were transformed into hearty, delicious meals. The history of this dish reflects the island's blend of indigenous Taíno and African culinary influences, with each culture adding its own twist to the flavorful combination.

Ingredients

• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Yellow onion, diced - 1 medium
• Bell pepper, diced - 1 medium
• Garlic cloves, minced - 3
• Sofrito - 1/4 cup
• Tomato sauce - 1/4 cup
• Pigeon peas (gandules) - 1 can, 15 ounces
• Pimento stuffed olives - 1/4 cup
• Capers - 1 tablespoon
• Adobo seasoning - 1 teaspoon
• Sazón seasoning - 1 packet
• Chicken broth - 3 cups
• Medium-grain rice - 2 cups
• Cilantro, chopped - 1/4 cup
• Bay leaf - 1

Preparation

1. Start by preparing all your ingredients ahead of time. Dice the onion and bell pepper, mince the garlic cloves, and open the can of gandules. Having everything prepped will make the cooking process go smoothly.
2. In a large pot or caldero, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Sauté the diced onion and bell pepper in the pot until they become translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, allowing the aroma to release.
5. Stir in the sofrito, tomato sauce, olives, and capers, mixing well.
6. Add the drained gandules, mixing them into the fragrant mixture.

Cooking Process

1. Sprinkle the mixture with adobo seasoning and a packet of Sazón for added flavor.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
3. Add the rice, stirring to distribute evenly through the liquid.
4. Toss in a bay leaf for a hint of herbal aroma.
5. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let the rice cook and absorb the liquid. Set your timer to 25 minutes using a cooking timer.
6. After 25 minutes, uncover the pot and gently fluff the rice with a fork, ensuring the rice is tender and fully cooked.
7. If necessary, cover the pot again and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes if the rice isn’t fully done.

How to Enjoy Arroz con Gandules

This dish is best enjoyed hot, either as a main dish or a side. It's traditionally paired with roasted meats such as pernil, a slow-roasted pork shoulder. To elevate the meal, serve with a salad of fresh greens and a cool glass of limber, a refreshing Puerto Rican frozen fruit treat. Invite family and friends to share in this communal experience, savoring the rich flavors and cultural history represented in every bite of Arroz con Gandules.