Arroz Con Gandules ( Rice and Beans)

This savory dish has many variations through out all the spanish speaking countries, this is the Puerto Rican version.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon  sofrito sauce (check out recipe # from my recipes)
• 1 (15 ounce) can  pigeon peas (any canned bean will do)
• 0.5 (4 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 (4 ounce) can  Spam (don't ask a lot of people use it, substitute a ham steak)
• 2  tablespoons  cooking oil
• 1 (1/4ounce) package  sazon goya
• 6 -10  pitted green olives
• 2  cups rice (rinsed)
• 4  cups water

Directions

1. Rinse starch off the rice, this IS important.
2. Dice ham steak or Spam.
3. Pour oil into 4-5 quart cooking pot ( make sure its a large wide pot, not a thin deep one).
4. Add sofrito and fry on medium heat for 1 minute.
5. Add ham and fry for 1 more minute.
6. Add tomato sauce and heat through for 30 seconds.
7. Add sazon, salt and water and bring to a boil.
8. Add pigeon peas and olives and boil 5 minutes.
9. Add rice and mix around with spoon once.
10. Bring to boil on HIGH heat until water has evaporated to the rice line.
11. Lower temperature to low/medium low and cover TIGHT with lid ( add foil or banana leaf if need be to make it a tight seal).
12. Cook for 25-30 minutes.
13. Uncover, serve and enjoy!