Rice and beans. How could you possibly elevate such a basic staple? Easy – with Puerto Rican arroz con gandules. To take your meal from boring to blissfully delectable, check out the recipe below!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 friends

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups long grain rice, rinsed
• 4 strips pork belly or uncured thick cut bacon, chopped
• ½ cup sofrito
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 15 oz Gandules (also known as pigeon peas), drained
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 packet Sazon
• 4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon capers
• salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash rice until water runs clear and drain
2. In a large pot or caldero over medium heat, saute the pork belly until crispy, remove from pot and set aside leaving the drippings
3. Add sofrito to the drippings, cook until fragrant (about 3-5 minutes)
4. Add onions and rice to the pot, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until just beginning to brown
5. Add tomato sauce, capers, garlic, Sazon, water and gandules, gently stir until well combined
6. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer until rice is cooked (add more water if needed)
7. Salt and pepper to taste, garnish with bacon bits

Enjoy your anything-but-basic rice and beans meal!

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