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Nana Agosto's Puerto Rican Rice Recipe

Traditional Puerto Rican rice dish from our extended family Nana Mague Agosto.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Puerto Rican

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup diced onion
  • ½ cup diced green pepper
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic about 3 large cloves
  • 4-6 oz. finely diced salt pork
  • 1 lb. long grain rice
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 4 tsp Goya adobo seasoning with pepper
  • 1/3 cup pimento-stuffed green olives the smaller the better or cut in half if large
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups of water

Instructions
 

  • Dice the onion and green pepper. Mince the garlic. Dice the salt pork.
  • If you use commercial salt pork, put it into a small pot of boiling water for one minute. Drain and continue with the recipe. SEE NOTE
  • Rinse the rice with cool water for about 30 seconds in a mesh strainer and let drain while you go onto the next step.
  • Pour the canola oil into a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Add diced pork and cook until no longer pink (about 4 minutes).
  • Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic to the salt pork. Cook for 5 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally. Do not let the vegetables brown.
  • Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir frequently for about three minutes until everything is evenly tossed in the oil.
  • Add the adobo seasoning, olives, oregano, tomato sauce, and water. Stir well. Increase heat to medium high. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce the temperature to low, and allow rice to simmer for 20 minutes or just until all of the liquid is absorbed. Use a fork to fluff the rice. Your goal is to have some crispy bits on the bottom of the pan. This is good stuff!

Notes

PORK:  I use homemade salt pork which is not as salty as commercial so I don't boil it. I just continue on with recipe as above.   You can also use pork shoulder or belly in the same amount if you happen to have it lying around and/or don't have salt pork.  Adjust salt to taste. Whatever you do, do not use bacon.
VARIATIONS: Depending on who Nana was feeding (she knew everyone's likes and dislikes), Nana would sometimes add a can of drained, rinsed Goya pigeon peas and/or fresh cilantro to taste. I add neither since I like the basic recipe; feel free to have at it and do report your taste findings, I'd been much obliged.] *
 
Keyword rice, sofrito, tomatos, traditional rice dish