Puerto Rican Style Fried Rice Recipes

BASIC PUERTO RICAN RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• Rinse and drain rice, set to the side.
• Warm oil in a caldero over medium high heat.
• Add salted pork and cook for about two minutes before adding in sofrito and onions or chopped vegetables, except for garlic.
• Cook vegetables until softened, about 4 minutes, occasionally stirring.
• Add in garlic and cook for thirty seconds before adding in tomato sauce, seasonings, and cilantro.
• Let sauce come to a bubble and stir in rice.
• Stir rice occasionally for two minutes for the rice to absorb the sofrito sauce.
• Allow to cook about a minute, stirring occasionally before adding in the rice.
• Pour in chicken broth or water with chicken bullion.
• Bring the liquid to a boil and then lower to a steady simmer (think medium).
• Cook uncovered for 12-14 minutes not stirring until the water levels evaporate to where you see the top of the rice and it the rice looks like craters.
• Stir once and cover.
• Lower heat to low. DO NOT UNCOVER!
• Cook rice for twenty minutes. DO NOT TOUCH OR UNCOVER!
• After 20 minutes DO NOT UNCOVER YET, remove pot from heat and let it steam for about 15 minutes before uncovering.
• Uncover and gently fluff with a fork before serving.

"PUERTO RICAN STYLE" FRIED RICE

Steps:

• ***NOTES***.
• Have all of the ingredients ready to add to your pan before you start.
• For the annato oil, in a small saucepan, heat 1/4 Cup of oil or lard over low heat until it is hot. Add 3 Tbls. of Annato Seeds, and stir, for one minute. Let this cool, stirring occasionally, while you gather your ingredients. Strain when it is cool.
• Preheat a non-stick pan or wok, over high heat for one minute.
• Add to your pan the Annato oil, heat for 30 seconds.
• Add the pork, and toss this in the hot oil for 30-45 seconds.
• Add the pigeon peas, the olives, and the peppers, toss for 45 seconds - 1 minute.
• Add the rice, garlic, Adobo, and the black pepper.Toss and mix, coating all of the rice w/the oil, and breaking up any clumps of rice. Continue tossing it until it is heated through.
• Plate it up, and garnish with a fresh sprig of Cilantro.
• This rice is very hearty, and if you want to make this a meal, just add some extra pork, fry up a few tostones, and get a tub of potato salad from the Deli!

SOFRITO

Steps:

• In a large food processor or blender, blend the peppers and garlic until smooth.
• Add the onion and blend until smooth, then add the culantro and cilantro, and blend until smooth. The sofrito will keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.