2654. PIGEON PEA (GANDULES) RICE with BACON, TOMATOES and GREEN CHILES

yields eight servings


1 teaspoon vegetable oil
8 strips bacon, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
2 cups long-grain white rice
1 (10-ounce) can chopped tomatoes and green chiles
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch achiote powder, optional
1 (15-ounce) can green pigeon peas (gandules), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups water
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Place a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and bacon. Fry, stirring, until the bacon is crisp. Add the onion and cilantro. Continue to cook for 5 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the rice, tomatoes, oregano, cumin, salt, achiote, and pigeon peas. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice is opaque. Stir in the tomato paste and water and bring to boil. When all the water is absorbed, cover tightly and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Serve on a decorative platter and garnish with cilantro.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Ingrid Hoffman, "Ingrid's Christmas Dinner," Simply Delicioso with Ingrid Hoffman, Food Network, 2008