Arroz Habichuelas Guisadas
Ingredients
- 2 cups Mahatma® White Rice or Mahatma® Jasmine Rice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup fresh tomato, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped and divided
- 1 tbsp sazon seasoning
- ½ tsp adobo seasoning
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp ground coriander
- 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup potatoes, diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cans (each 15 ½ oz) pink, red or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- ⅔ cup pimento stuffed manzanilla olives
- 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
Take your taste buds on a trip to the Caribbean to enjoy this Puerto Rican-style comfort food. This perfectly seasoned rice and beans dish is hearty enough to serve as a main dish or perfect in smaller portions as a side.
Step 1
Heat oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Cook bacon for 3 to 5 minutes or until crispy around the edges and lightly golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Stir in onion, bell pepper, tomato, 2 tbsp cilantro, garlic, sazon seasoning, adobo seasoning, cumin, oregano, and coriander and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Step 2
Stir in broth, tomato sauce, potatoes, and bay leaves; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in beans, olives, and cooked bacon; bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook at a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 minutes or until beans are very tender and sauce is thick. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Step 3
Meanwhile, cook rice according to package directions.
Step 4
Serve beans over rice. Garnish with remaining cilantro, sliced avocado, and lemon juice.
Recipe Tips
For a slightly different and sweeter flavor, try it with sweet potato or pumpkin instead of regular potatoes.
Puerto Rican-Style
This Arroz con Habichuelas Guisadas recipe (Spanish for stewed rice and beans) is popular in Puerto Rico and is made with fresh veggies, spices, and a little bacon. Hearty and filling enough to serve as a main dish, but also perfect as a tasty side dish in smaller portions.
To prepare this traditional and savory dish, start by cooking the bacon and adding in the chopped vegetables with the spices until they are tender and the flavors have begun to marry. Once they are ready, add the remaining ingredients and broth and simmer until cooked. Finally, serve your stewed bean combination on a steaming plate of fluffy Mahatma® White Rice or Mahatma® Jasmine Rice and enjoy a warm, delicious meal over some great family conversation for dinner.
This dish may require a bit of patience, but the result is worth the wait! For more Hispanic-inspired flavors, you might also want to check out this Arroz con Gandules dish, a Jasmine Rice recipe, classic Mexican Rice or this Paella Valenciana recipe.
A Worldly Combination
Rice and beans is a staple combination in many cuisines from around the world. And why wouldn’t it be? These two foods are inexpensive, easy to cook, easy to store, and a delicious combination to enjoy with many different foods and spices. You really can’t go wrong with this tasty combo.
What’s more, the combination of rice and beans provides several important nutrients and makes up a complete protein, making it a nutritious and delicious dish to serve your family. Whether you and your family follow a vegetarian, vegan, Gluten-Free, or meat-inclusive diet, there are plenty of rice and bean dishes that are suitable and delicious for your family to enjoy.
Pantry Tip: Keep your pantry stocked with rice, beans and other essentials. When you have staples, like arroz con leche ingredients, you’ll be able to make a meal or dessert at the drop of a hat! Looking for a dessert idea? Try taking a look at our best arroz con leche recipe. Alternatively for something more savory, learn how to make these rice and bean tacos.
