Arroz Relleno con Pollo (rice with chicken)

This is one of my favorite recipes. An adaptation of my mother’s suitable for freezing.  Although there is not a lot of ingredients; it is time consuming so allow plenty of time to prepare. The rice is cooked and layered with chicken, bacon, onions and mozzarella cheese; then oven baked. It can be served as an entrée or side dish. 

 

Total time – 3-4 hr

 

Yield – 6-8 servings

 

Serving suggestion –  with your favorite salad and ripped fried plantains on the side.

 

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken cut into pieces
• 2 Medium onion diced
• 1 lb of bacon diced into small pieces
• 3 cups rice; uncooked
• 8 cups of water (divided, 4,2,2)
• 1 stick of butter
• 4-6 packets of powdered chicken bouillon
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
• salt to taste

Procedure – to save time, the first four steps can be done at the same time.

Fully cook the chicken by boiling or baking it. Don’t worry about adding flavor to the chicken at this point. Once done, remove skin and shred the chicken. Set aside.

On a large skillet, combine the onion and bacon and cook at low-med heat until the bacon gets browned (not crispy). The bacon will provide plenty of salt and the fat from the bacon will prevent the mix from sticking to the pan; however, you must stir the mix constantly to ensure that the onions and bacon are cooked evenly.

Once your bacon and onions are done, mix in the shredded chicken. Add 1 packet of the chicken bouillon into 2 cups of water and add to the mix.  Cover the skillet and let the mix simmer in low heat while you finish cooking the rice.

Cook the rice – On an aluminum cast (caldero), pour in 4 cups of water, add the 4 packets of powdered chicken bouillon and butter. Cover and bring to a boil to make sure the butter melts. Add salt if needed. (Note: The water mix should be the salty side). Bring heat down to medium, add the rice and stir. Cover once the excess water has evaporated. Cook the rice as you would normally do to achieve proper tenderness.

Put it together….like a lasagna.

Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees. dissolve 1 packet of powdered chicken bouillon in 2 cups of water a set aside. Grease the bottom of a deep rectangular pan.  Pour in some of the rice and press it to create a layer of about 1  to 1 1/2 inches deep. Add the chicken mix and spread across the pan. Sprinkle some of the mozzarella cheese. Cover the chicken mix with another layer of rice; pressing it firmly. Cover with the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Splash the chicken bouillon water mix across the pan.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake until the cheese melts. Remove aluminum foil and broil until golden brown. Cut and serve like a lasagna.

Buen Provecho.

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Picadillo (Piscolabis Style)

Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries; specially in the Caribbean. It is made with with ground meat (usually beef), tomato sauce, and other ingredients that vary by region.

It is often served with rice or used as a filling in dishes such as tacos, empanadas, pastries and croquettes.

This is our version.

Total time – about 30 min

Yields – 4 servings

Serving suggestion – with white rice and tostones on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground meat
• 2 oz. chopped cooking ham or 3 slices diced bacon
• 2 tsp. sofrito
• 2 tsp. recaito
• ½ small onion, diced
• ¼ cup diced green pepper
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 tsps. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 8 chopped or sliced olives
• 1 tsp. capers
• 1 envelope of Sazón with achiote
• 1- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 small box of raisins

Procedure

Brown the ground meat in a small caldero or frying pan and drain. Add ham or bacon (or both), sofrito, recaito, onion and green pepper, tomato, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper, olives and capers, Sazón, raisins and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook for 15 minutes or so over low heat. Cook another 15 minutes or so uncovered. Stir occasionally.

Buen provecho!

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Cuban Coconut and Rum Flan

Flan is a staple dessert all across the Caribbean and Latin America. This recipe it’s the newest addition to our dessert menu; it’s easy to make and best when chilled overnight in the same pie dish and served the next day.

Total time – about 1 1/2 hr

Yields – 12 servings

Serving suggestion – by itself or a-la-mode with a scoop of French Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 3 large whole eggs
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1 3/4 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons dark rum

Procedure

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Have ready a 9-inch round glass pie dish. Place a clean kitchen towel in the bottom of shallow baking pan large enough to hold pie dish. Fill baking pan with enough boiling water to come halfway up sides of dish; carefully transfer baking pan to oven.

Place 3/4 cup sugar in a heavy-bottomed, medium skillet. Place over medium-high heat; cook until sugar begins to melt, swirling pan. Continue cooking until melted and medium-dark brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; pour caramelized sugar into pie dish. Swirl dish until sugar evenly coats bottom; let cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 3/4 cup sugar, salt, eggs, and egg yolks until combined. Whisk in remaining ingredients until combined. Pour into pie dish; transfer to hot-water bath in oven. Bake until flan is almost set (it will appear loose in center but continue cooking as it cools), 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer baking pan to a wire rack until water cools; then transfer pie dish to wire rack to cool.

When ready to serve, run a knife between flan and pie dish. Place a serving dish on top of flan; invert. Slice, and garnish with any remaining syrup.

Buen Provecho!

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Spicy Coconut Shrimp with a sweet and zesty mango marmalade dipping sauce

Coconut shrimp a very versatile dish that can be served as an entreė or appetizer. Our version has a spicy kick and we serve it as an Hors D’oeuvres with a  sweet and zesty mango marmalade dipping sauce.

Total time – 30 min.

Yields – 1 party tray for 8-12 people.

Serving suggestion – as an Hors D’oeuvres

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup beer
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (adjust heat to taste)
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 24 large shrimps
• 3 cups oil for frying

Procedure

In medium bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup flour, beer, ground red pepper and baking powder. Place 1/4 cup flour and coconut in two separate bowls.    

Hold shrimp by tail, and dredge in flour, shaking off excess flour. Dip in egg/beer batter; allow excess to drip off. Roll shrimp in coconut, and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer.

Fry shrimp in batches: cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using tongs, remove shrimp to paper towels to drain. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Sweet and Zesty Mango Marmalade Dipping Sauce

• 2 tbsp. mango marmalade (if not available, may be replaced with peach)
• 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp. orange juice
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 3 tbsp prepared white horseradish

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Chill until ready to serve.

Buen Provecho!

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Platanutres con Mojito Isleño

Want to skip the traditional chips and salsa? Then you have to try this.

Platanutres (plantain chips) are a popular snack in Puerto Rico. They are known as mariquitas in Cuba, trompetas in the Dominican Republic, and chicharitos de plátano verde in Costa Rica. Versions also exist in India, where the chips are often cooked in coconut oil, and Southeast Asia, where it is common to rub them with turmeric and salt before frying.

Not to be confused with the popular rum cocktail, Mojito Isleño is a Puerto Rican sauce normally used as a topping for seafood dishes; specially grilled or fried fish such as the Red Snapper. It is also used as a side dipping sauce for tostones and platanutres. This sauce was originated in the southern town of Salinas which is known  as “La Cuna del Mojito Isleño” (the cradle of the islander dip).

There are hundreds of different recipes; however, the basic ingredients are the same. The main difference you will find it’s in the level of heat. Some people make it spicy, others don’t. Either way, it’s very tasty and very versatile. You can prepare it overnight and keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

Total time – 25 min

Yields – plenty of chips…

Ingredients

• 4 green plantains
• ½ cup olive oil
• 2 medium-large green bell peppers, seeded, trimmed and chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 8 teaspoons crushed garlic
• 1 medium bunch cilantro, washed and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups canned tomato sauce
• Hot sauce of your choice to taste, optional
• ½ cup chopped pimento-stuffed green olives.

Procedure

For the Mojito Isleño

Heat pan over medium heat, pour in oil and sauté bell pepper and onion until they begin to soften.

Add garlic and cilantro, salt and pepper. Cook five minutes over low heat.

Add tomato sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Add hot sauce, if desired.

Before removing from heat, add olives. Cool and refrigerate.

Serve in bowl

For the Platanutres

Trim off both ends from each of the plantains with a sharp knife, then make a few slits through the skin the length of each plantain. Push your thumb between the skin and the flesh and pry skin away from flesh. It will come off in pieces, like bark from a tree. Trim off any woody fiber stuck to plantains. Slice plantains crosswise into thin rounds.

Pour oil into a large heavy skillet to a depth of 1/2”, then heat to 350° on a candy thermometer over medium-high heat. Add plantain slices a few at a time to the oil to prevent them from sticking to one another, and fry them in batches until lightly golden and crisp, about 3 minutes.

Transfer plantain chips with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Season to taste with salt while still hot and serve them in a chip bowl next to the Mojito Isleño.

Buen Provecho!

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Grilled Chicken Breast with Chimichurri

Chimichurri is a delicious marinade that is typically used on beef, but its flavors make it outstanding on chicken or even fish. It biggest advantage is that you can prepare it well in advance as it can be refrigerated for long periods of time. As a matter of fact, the longer you let it sit, the more flavor you are going to get out of it. This is a great alternative for a last-minute meal. Grilling the chicken will bring out even more flavor to the dish.

Total time – 20 minutes

Yield – 6 servings

Serving suggestions – Make it a light meal by just adding your salad of choice or vegetable medley. Asparagus are a great option.

Ingredients

•  6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Thin-Sliced
• 1/4 cup canola or olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Chimichurri

• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1 small hot pepper, finely chopped
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet red pepper, ground
• 2 bay leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

Season chicken with 1/4 cup of oil, salt and pepper.

Mix all the Chimichurri ingredients and set aside in a covered glass bowl. Let it sit for 12 hours, mixing occasionally to bring out the flavor and aroma of the ingredients.

In a saucepan or on a grill, brown the chicken breasts on both sides.

Spoon the Chimichurri on top of the chicken and serve.

Buen provecho!

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Arroz a la jardinera (rice with vegetables)

This is a great alternative to white rice and a perfect side dish for grilled steak, chicken or pork.

Total time – about 30 min

Yield – 4-5 servings

Serving suggestion – as a side dish

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized onion, peeled and diced,
• 1 large red pepper, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon anniato oil (achiote)
• 3 or 4 tomatoes, diced
• 1 handful of string beans, diced
• 1 or 2 carrots, diced 2 cups diced pumpkin
• 1 lb uncooked rice
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste

Procedure

Saute the onion, pepper and garlic on the olive oil.

Add the water and cooking oil. Bring to a boil.

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer uncovered until the water evaporates. blend with a ladle, folding the rice from the bottom to the top and vice versa.

Cover and cook over low heat until the rice is tender.

Buen provecho!

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Latin Pepper Steak

A variation of the Chinese dish with a latin twist.

Total time – 20 min

Yield – 4 servings

Serving suggestion – with white rice and tostones or ripped fried plantains on the side.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1lb. boneless sirloin or flank steak, cut into thin strips
• 2 medium red and/or green bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 to 1-1/2 tsp. finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 package Brown gravy mix
• 1/2 tbsp cilantro

Procedure

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown beef.

Remove beef and set aside.

Add red peppers, onion and jalapeno pepper and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Stir in water, lime juice and Brown gravy mix.

Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in beef and cilantro and simmer for about 5 min.

Buen Provecho!

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Spring time cocktails

Backyard entertaining season is just around the corner. Margaritas it’s probably the first cocktail that comes to mind to go along with your backyard cookout. However, if you want to try something different this season, here are a couple of spring time pitcher size cocktails that will keep your crowd entertained.

Watermelon and Raspberry Punch

Note: Can be made ahead and can be refrigerated overnight.

• 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
• 3 sprigs fresh mint leaves
• 1 seeded, cubed watermelon
• 1 cup strawberry margarita mix
• 1 cup coconut-flavored rum
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 8 mint sprigs to garnish

Puree raspberries and mint leaves in a blender until smooth. Strain into a serving pitcher. Puree the cubed watermelon until smooth, and strain the juice into the serving pitcher. Stir in the margarita mix, coconut rum, and ice cubes. Garnish each glass with mint sprigs.

Puerto Rican Rum Punch

Note: Can be made ahead and can be refrigerated overnight.

• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup superfine sugar
• 1 cup gold rum (8 ounces)
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (2 ounces)
• 1/4 cup Grenadine (2 ounces)
• One 750-ml bottle sparkling wine, such as Spanish cava, chilled
• Fresh pineapple chunks, for garnish

In a large pitcher, combine the lime juice and sugar and stir briskly until the sugar is dissolved. Add the rum, orange liqueur and grenadine and chill the rum mixture for about 1 hour. Just before serving, add the sparkling wine and pineapple chunks and serve in punch glasses.

Caribbean Lemonade

• 2 cups fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup superfine sugar
• 4 cups dry red wine
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds and seeded

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the wine and chill for about 1 hour. Add the lemon slices and serve in punch glasses.

Caribbean Rum Zing

• 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups guava nectar
• 1 cup amber rum, such as Mount Gay
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 1 1/2 cups cold ginger ale
• Splash of grenadine
• Freshly grated nutmeg

In a large pitcher, combine the orange juice with the guava nectar and rum. Add the ice and stir until cold; add the ginger ale. Pour into cocktail glasses, add the grenadine and nutmeg, and serve

Watermelon Sangria

Note: Can be made ahead and can be refrigerated overnight.

• 12 cups cubed watermelon
• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1/2 cup simple syrup
• 3 cups cubed seeded watermelon
• 1 medium lime, quartered
• 1 orange, cut into wedges
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Place 9 cups of watermelon cubes in a blender; blend on high until very smooth.  Strain juice through a mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Pour the wine, vodka, triple sec, and simple syrup into the pitcher. Stir to combine. Mix the remaining 3 cups of watermelon cubes, the lime quarters, orange sections, and blueberries into the sangria. Chill for 4 hours before serving.

Buen provecho!

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Ropa Vieja Cubana

The Ropa Vieja (shredded beef in a tomato sauce base) is a Cuban dish from Spanish origin. Very popular in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela.  In some countries is known as carne mechada or pabellon.

Total time –  This recipe uses a slow cooking technique so it can take from 4-10 hrs depending on the cut of meat you use. In this case, we are using flank steak for easy shredding.

Yields – 6 servings

Serving suggestions – with white rice and red kidney or pink beans (stewed Caribbean style) and fried plantains on the side.

Ingredients

• tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 pounds beef flank steak
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Procedure

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the flank steak on each side, about 4 minutes per side.

Transfer the flank steak to a slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, then add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, cilantro, olive oil and vinegar. Stir until well blended. Cover, and cook on High for 4 hours, or on Low for up to 10 hours.  At this point, the steak should have shredded by itself; if not, use two forks to shred steak apart.

Buen Provecho!

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