Gandule Rice

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 1 lbs.pork - cube in 1" squares
• 1 bunch Cilantro/Chinese Parsley - finely chopped
• 1/2 Medium Green Bell Pepper - finely chopped
• 1/2 Can Goya Brand Green Pigeon Peas (Gandules Verdes)
• 1/2 (6 oz) Can Tomato Paste
• 5 Cups White Rice (Do not use Jasmine, Instant or Brown Rice)
• 1/2 Can Pitted Black Olives (optional)
• 1 cup canned or fresh Chicken Broth
• 2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt, to taste
• 1/2 Tablespoon Cumin
• 1/2 Tablespoon Oregano Leaves
• 1 1/2 Tablespon Achiote Seeds (usually labeled in stores under Annatto Seeds)
• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

Details

Servings 10
Adapted from facebook.com

Preparation

Step 1

Wash and cook rice in rice cooker. It is recommended to use dry cooked rice versus sticky cooked rice.

In a separate large pot, add olive oil and heat. Do not fry pork, allow to simmer. Add cilantro, bell pepper, tomato paste, chicken broth, garlic, salt, cumin and oregano to the pork. Continue to simmer. Once pork mixture is fully cooked, begin ʻtaste testingʻ to determine if more spices are needed. If your mixture is to your liking add pigeon peas (gandules) and olives. Turn heat down to low and prepare achiote oil.

To make the achiote oil, put vegetable oil in a sauce pan and allow to heat. Once the oil is heated add the achiote seeds and gently stir. The color from the seeds will turn the oil an orange color. Try to get the oil as close to a dark orange color. You may need to add more seeds. Do not cook seeds on high heat or for a long period of time, the seeds will begin to burn and affect the taste of the rice.

At this stage your rice should be cooked. Transfer your cooked rice into a metal or aluminimum pan. Use a meshed screen strainer and pour achiote oil onto rice. Discard seeds

Once rice is completely orange add the pork mixture. Use a large spoon to evenly mix all ingredients. Once again, ʻtaste testʻ the finished gandule rice, you may need to add salt. If you want rice to be more moist, you may add more chicken broth at this time as well. If not consuming at this time, if your rice cooker has a warm setting you may keep rice in the cooker or refrigerate once it cools down. To reheat, use microwave safe dishes.

NOTE: This recipe is based on estimated measurements. All ingredients are listed as is. It is your choice to decrease or increase ingredients according to your liking. 5 cups of cooked rice added with pork mixture yields approximately 8-10 servings.