International Recipes and Cooking Around the World

Asopao de Gandules

Puerto Rican soup with pigeon peas

(Puerto Rican rice and pigeon pea stew)

Image by Ross Berteig

4
Average: 3.2 (29 votes)

Asopao is a Puerto Rican word for a stew thickened with rice, and asopaos of many kinds are very popular in Puerto Rican cuisine. Asopao de gandules is a nice vegetarian version.

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • Rice -- 1 1/2 cups
  • Water or stock -- 6 cups
  • Oil -- 1/4 cup
  • Onion, chopped or sliced -- 1
  • Green or red bell peppers, chopped or sliced --3
  • Garlic, minced -- 2 or 3cloves
  • Oregano, dried -- 2 teaspoons
  • Tomatoes, chopped -- 2 cups
  • Pigeon peas (gandules), cooked -- 2 cups
  • Pimento-stuffed olives -- 1/4 cup
  • Capers, rinsed -- 1 tablespoon
  • Cilantro, chopped -- 1/2 bunch
  • Salt and pepper -- to taste

Method

  1. Mix the rice and water together in a large bowl and let it soak while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high flame. Add the onions and peppers and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and oregano and sauté for another 1 or 2 minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes and simmer to cook down somewhat, 5 to 7 minutes. Then stir in the rice and its soaking water and the pigeon peas, olives, capers, cilantro, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through. Add water as necessary to keep asopao stew-like. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Asopao de Gandules Variations

  • Saute 1 cup of chopped ham with the onions and peppers if you like. Or add cut up chicken pieces for a more substantial stew.
  • Add 1 tablespoon achiote oil if you like for a pleasing color and some extra flavor.

Disclaimer

Whats4eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You Might Also Like

Gallo Pinto

Central American gallo pinto with eggs

(Costa Rican, Nicaraguan red beans and rice)