Stewed Rice And Pigeon Peas
A flavorful Puerto Rican-style stewed rice with pigeon peas, smoked ham, and colorful peppers, perfect for hearty meals and gatherings with bold, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp chopped salt pork ⓘ
- 2 oz chopped smoked ham
- 2 green peppers chopped ⓘ
- 2 tomatoes chopped ⓘ
- 1 onion chopped ⓘ
- 2 ground cloves garlic
- 2 sweet peppers chopped ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp capers ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp olives ⓘ
- 1 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp achote coloring or 1 packet sazon goya ⓘ
- 1 lb fresh pigeon peas ⓘ
- 2 cups rice ⓘ
- 2 cups water ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute ham and salt pork in a pot.
- Add chopped green peppers, tomatoes, onion, and garlic; sauté for a few minutes.
- Add capers, olives, achote coloring or sazon goya, and pigeon peas; mix well.
- Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add rice and mix thoroughly.
- Pour in water and add salt to taste; stir well.
- Cover and cook on medium heat until the liquid has evaporated and rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try using a mix of smoked meats, such as bacon or chorizo, in place of salt pork. If fresh pigeon peas are unavailable, canned or frozen peas can be substituted. To enhance the dish, consider adding a pinch of cumin or a bay leaf during cooking. Make sure to rinse the rice well to remove excess starch for fluffier grains.
Serving Suggestions
Stewed rice and pigeon peas can be served as a main dish or as a side. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or fish, and a fresh salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Low-Fat German Potato Salad or a simple green vegetable to balance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover stewed rice and pigeon peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, add a splash of water and cover the pot, heating on low until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, adding a little water to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stewed Rice And Pigeon Peas contains roughly 597 calories, with 18g protein, 108g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (215% of the Daily Value), protein (36% of the Daily Value), and iron (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe by omitting the salt pork and smoked ham. Instead, use vegetable broth for seasoning and add extra vegetables or legumes for protein, such as mushrooms or chickpeas.
What can I use instead of achote coloring?
If you don't have achote coloring, you can substitute it with paprika for color or saffron for a unique flavor. Alternatively, omit it entirely, but keep in mind it will affect the dish's color.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
To adjust the spiciness, you can add mild or hot peppers to taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, simply reduce the amount of green peppers or opt for sweet varieties instead.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).