Arroz Con Gandules — Just Add Hot Sauce

If you haven't picked up already, my mom (Ita) is Puerto Rican from Brooklyn, New York. If you happen to chat with her she will say "I was in the Marcy Projects before Jay Z was.. We made the Marcy cool!" (Mind you, my mother is 65)

I love rice, like LOVE rice... I know as I get older I shouldn't eat as much because, well carbs but I'm half Puerto Rican so who cares!

Arroz Con Gandules (rice & peas) is a normal side dish in a Hispanic household. It accompanies everything, literally everything. Oh, and holiday's - you will see it even more. Despite how often I eat it, I swear I can't get enough of it. I've made it before but my mom is the master of it so for Easter dinner (remember, Holidays) she made a big piping hot pot of Arroz Con Gandules and it was DELICIOUS!

You should definitely try this recipe, your family will thank you!

Arroz Con Gandules

- 1 Tablespoon EVOO

- 1/2 Spanish onion

-1/2 red pepper

-1/2 green pepper

-2 cloves of garlic

- 1 Tablespoon Goya Sofrito Tomato Paste

-Goya Adobo (for seasoning)

- 1 packet of Goya Sazon Culantro y Achiote

-1 can Goya Olives w/ Pimentos (non-pitted)

- 1 can of Goya Gandules (peas)

- 1 cup of Canilla rice

- 2 cups of water

So now you have all your ingredients ready next up is the easy part, putting it all together!

First heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a deep pot on medium heat, make sure you are actually letting your oil heat up as you don't want to drop your veggies in a cold pot of olive oil.. gross! Next up, throw in the chopped onions, garlic, red pepper and green pepper (This is a quick sofrito mix if you don't have time to make it) along with the olives and mix it all together so it is all coated with olive oil. After you let this cook for about two minutes until you can start to smell the veggies add in the Goya Sofrito paste and the can of Goya Gandules (strained) and stir it all together.

Sidenote: Sofrito adds an amazing flavor and color to dishes. You can use it on almost everything.

After you have mixed in your veggies and Sofrito mix, it's time to stir in the rice and Sazon (Sazon is where the color comes from, as you often see yellow rice, this is usually how it's made). Okay, so this step is important, once you add the 1 cup of rice & the sazon packet to the veggie mixture you let it 'toast' for about two minutes. Toasting is important because it brings out the natural flavors in the rice. At this time too you can add Goya Adobo for seasoning and salt & pepper. After you let the rice mixture 'toast' you add 2 cups of water and let that come to a boil- remember to taste the water before it boils so you can see if it needs more seasoning, i.e. salt & pepper. Once boiling, cover the rice and let it cook on LOW heat for 25 minutes (set your timer- depending on the brand of rice it can vary in cooking time) and try not to open it!

**TIP: FOR EVERY 1 CUP OF RICE YOU ADD 2 CUPS OF WATER! THIS IS A RULE TO LIVE BY!

Once the 25 minutes are up, it is steaming hot and ready to be devoured!!!

Cheers to eating!

Ita stirring the rice and Sazon together