Puerto Rican Side Dish Recipes

August 29, 2023 Post a Comment

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Puerto Rican Rice And Bean / Saucy Puerto Rican Beans and Potatoes The Wanderlust Kitchen from walterowen.blogspot.com

Puerto Rican cuisine is known for its rich and flavorful dishes that bring together a fusion of Spanish, African, and indigenous influences. One of the most important aspects of any Puerto Rican meal is the side dishes that accompany the main course. These dishes are often simple yet delicious and can add a burst of flavor to any meal. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular Puerto Rican side dish recipes that you can easily make at home.

Arroz con Gandules

Arroz con Gandules is a classic Puerto Rican dish that is a staple at most gatherings and celebrations. This dish is made with rice, pigeon peas, and a variety of spices such as sazon, adobo, and sofrito. The prep time for this dish is around 15 minutes, and the cook time is around 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

2 cups of rice
1 can of pigeon peas (15 oz)
1 packet of sazon
1 tablespoon of adobo
2 tablespoons of sofrito
3 cups of water
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt to taste

Equipment:

Large pot with lid
Wooden spoon

Method:

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and set aside.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the sofrito to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the rice to the pot and stir until it is coated with the sofrito and oil.
Add the sazon and adobo to the pot and stir.
Add the pigeon peas and water to the pot and stir.
Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
Cook for 25-30 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the water has been absorbed.
Fluff the rice with a wooden spoon and add salt to taste.
Serve hot.

Notes:

This dish can be made in a rice cooker as well.
You can also add diced ham or pork to this dish for extra flavor.

Nutrition Info:

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 200
Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 5g

Recipe Tips:

Make sure to rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch.
Be careful not to burn the sofrito when adding it to the pot.
For added flavor, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water.

Tostones

Tostones are a popular Puerto Rican snack or side dish made from green plantains. They are crispy and savory and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. The prep time for this dish is around 20 minutes, and the cook time is around 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

2-3 green plantains
1 tablespoon of salt
Vegetable oil for frying

Equipment:

Large frying pan
Tostonera (plantain press)

Method:

Peel the plantains and slice them into 1-inch pieces.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add the plantain pieces to the oil and fry until they are lightly golden on both sides.
Remove the plantains from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Use a tostonera to flatten the plantain pieces to about ¼ inch thick.
Sprinkle salt over the flattened plantains.
Return the flattened plantains to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the tostones from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes:

If you don't have a tostonera, you can use a flat-bottomed bowl or the bottom of a glass to flatten the plantains.
Make sure to use green plantains for this dish as ripe plantains will be too sweet and won't crisp up properly.

Nutrition Info:

Serving Size: 1 tostone (1/8 of a plantain)
Calories: 45
Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 0g

Recipe Tips:

Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the plantains to prevent them from absorbing too much oil.
Try serving these with a garlic or cilantro dipping sauce.
For a healthier version, you can bake the tostones instead of frying them.

Ensalada de Papa

Ensalada de Papa is a simple yet delicious potato salad that is a favorite in Puerto Rico. This dish is often served at family gatherings and picnics and can be made ahead of time. The prep time for this dish is around 20 minutes, and the cook time is around 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

6-8 medium-sized potatoes
1 small onion, diced
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
1/4 cup of mayonnaise
1/4 cup of sour cream
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment:

Large pot
Bowl

Method:

Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water.
Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender (around 15-20 minutes).
Drain the potatoes and let them cool for a few minutes.
In a bowl, mix together the diced onion, chopped eggs, mustard, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Add the cooled potatoes to the bowl and mix until they are coated with the dressing.
Refrigerate the salad for a few hours before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Serve cold.

Notes:

You can add diced ham or bacon to this dish for extra flavor.
Make sure to let the potatoes cool before adding them to the dressing to prevent the dressing from becoming runny.

Nutrition Info:

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 150
Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: 3g

Recipe Tips:

Try adding some diced pickles or capers for extra flavor.
Make sure to adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
You can also use a combination of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version of this dish.

Conclusion

Puerto Rican side dishes are a great way to add some flavor and variety to your meals. Whether you're hosting a party or just looking for a delicious side dish to serve with your dinner, these recipes are sure to impress. With their simple ingredients and easy preparation, you'll be able to enjoy authentic Puerto Rican flavors in no time. So why not give them a try and see for yourself how delicious these dishes can be?